One of the questions that follows "come mai Calabria?" (why in the heck did you move to Calabria?), I get asked what I do for work. It's a reasonable question, given the unemployment rate in Calabria (15.9%) is more than double the national average (7.2%). Jobs are hard to come by here, so if you're looking to move here and find a job easily, think again.Being a Freelancer Expat in ItalyI'm super fortunate that I make American dollars in a country and region where my money goes so far. I'm fortu| Su Guillory
I've had yet another adventure here in Italy: surgery. A few months ago, my gynecologist found a cyst on my left ovary. She recommended I...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
I get asked often whether I handled the visa and permesso di soggiorno process on my own when I moved to Italy, or whether I hired a...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
If you're planning to live or work in Italy long-term, social security isn’t something you can afford to ignore — even if you'd rather focus on sipping cappuccinos and practicing your Italian.Whether you’re an employee, a freelancer, or running your own business, you’ll likely be required to contribute to Italy’s social security system, or to America's. But what exactly does that mean? And how does it affect you as an expat?Let’s break it down.What Is INPS?In Italy, social securit...| Su Guillory
When you live in Italy as an expat, you will encounter a "marca da bollo" and wonder what it is and why you need it. Here's a simple breakdown.What Is a Marca da Bollo?A marca da bollo is an official tax stamp issued by the Italian government. It's used to certify that a payment has been made to the tax authorities, often for administrative paperwork. Think of it as a physical proof that you've paid a required fee for certain official documents.You can buy a marca da bollo at most tobacconis...| Su Guillory
I get a lot of questions about applying for an Italian visa. What visa should I get? How long does it take to get a visa? What do I need for my Consulate appointment?Let's address a few of the questions you may have about getting an Italian visa!You Have Options for Your Italian VisaThere are several different types of Italian visas, so explore any that may be a good fit: • Student visa • Work visa (you have a job with an Italian company) • Self-employed visa • Digital nomad visa • ...| Su Guillory
Su Guillory helps women move to Italy. Her unique style of coaching is part cheerleader, part project manager. Su lives in Calabria, Italy.| Su Guillory
I've learned so many things, living in Calabria for the past three years . And in a country where food takes top priority (just behind...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
As I began working with more clients as an expat coach, I noticed that not everyone shared my approach to moving to Italy. I've learned a...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
Three years ago this week, I embarked on an adventure that I truly couldn't have imagined. After months of stress, figuring out how to...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
When you move to Italy, you'll need an Italian phone number, not only to make calls, but also to use when you sign up for things online. Often, trying to input an American number doesn't work.The good news is: a cell phone plan in Italy will cost WAY less than what you've been paying in America! I currently pay €6 for 50 GB of data and more minutes than I ever use. That's a far cry from the $80 a month I paid in the U.S.Where to Buy a Phone PlanThe good news is that your phone will work her...| Su Guillory
If you’ve ever dreamed of spending your golden years sipping espresso in a sun-drenched piazza or exploring medieval hill towns at your leisure, Italy’s Elective Residency Visa (ERV) may be your golden ticket. Designed for non-EU citizens with sufficient passive income, this visa allows you to live la dolce vita full-time...no work required.Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process.Step 1: Determine if You QualifyThe Elective Residency Visa is not for digital nomads...| Su Guillory
Two years ago, I came to Italy in search of my future home. I explored Calabria...Scilla...Tropea...Reggio Calabria...but nothing felt like home.At the tail end of my autumn trip, I stopped in Soverato for two nights. It was cold and raining when I arrived via train. But as I walked down the corso (pedestrian path), something lit up inside of me. After two more cold, rainy days, I knew this was it. The place I'd been looking for. The place that felt "right."The day before I left, I sat on a benc| Su Guillory
If you're dreaming of moving to Italy...but also considering starting a business...the convergence of these two life-changing events...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
I hadn't realized that masculinity comes in different forms until I moved to Italy. In the U.S., we have terms like toxic masculinity,...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
One of my favorite activities living in Calabria is making salsa (what we Americans would call spaghetti sauce). Each year, Fra's family...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
Let’s be honest — moving to Italy isn’t just about sipping Aperol Spritz by the sea. It’s also about visas, paperwork , unfamiliar...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
When we moved to Davoli, the only regret I had was that we wouldn't live steps from the sea. I worried I wouldn't go to the beach a lot, since it would mean driving and parking.Now that the summer is in full swing, I can say: no regrets. Here's what I'm loving.1. It's (Relatively) PeacefulI was in Soverato recently and just felt overwhelmed with the number of people out, not to mention the traffic. Yes, I know I've lived in giant cities with actual traffic problems, but now waiting in traffic fo| Su Guillory
In my book, 9 Steps to Becoming a Digital Nomad in Italy, I talk about the permesso di soggiorno, which, after your visa, is the most important document you'll need to remain in Italy.Here I'd like to answer a few questions to help you plan your move to Italy.1. What IS a Permesso di Soggiorno?Permesso di soggiorno translates to "permission to stay," and it's exactly that. Once you receive your visa (typically good for one year), you'll need to apply for this document to remain long-term in Ital| Su Guillory
After all the cooking for our wedding lunch, after all the running around gathering documents, Fra and I finally tied the knot! In Italian, you'd say abbiamo fatto il grande passo. (We took the big step.)We decided to save the big celebration with all our friends and family for next year, so this time, we had a modest lunch with Fra's immediate family.Getting Married in Italy: Church or Comune? In a country that is 79% Catholic, a lot of people opt to get married in church. But since I'm not rel| Su Guillory
Living in Italy means learning to navigate the charming chaos of bureaucracy , and if you've made it far enough to be signing rental...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
I told you we were renovating Fra's family home in Davoli ...but I forgot to follow up with the end results! While it seemed like it took...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
I moved to Italy as a woman who knew what she wanted. I did not deviate from my path very often. But since I've been here, I've waffled...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
If you’re living in Italy—-or planning your move—-you’ll quickly realize that bureaucracy is a national sport . From paying taxes to...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
I've already written about getting a tessera sanitaria and how sometimes opting for private healthcare is the way to go, particularly...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
All over Italy, there are feste (festivals) in tiny towns all summer long. We're so busy with the ones in Davoli that we don't have time...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
I didn't realize how cautious Americans are until I moved to Italy. From kids rolling around in cars without seatbelts to the...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
We've been in Davoli for about three months, and now that the dust has settled, I can appreciate my life here. My friend Dora asked me...| Su Guillory, Expat Coach
When I was growing up, my mother always held onto Cool Whip containers so she could put leftovers in them. I hated this. I'm not sure why...part was because I felt tricked every time I saw the plastic container in the fridge, thinking we had Cool Whip to enjoy. I vowed that one day, when I was older, I'd buy new containers for my leftovers.Fast forward to today.My mother-in-law is the Calabrian queen of reusing containers. Pasta jars are carefully washed and stored in the cantina so that in Sept| Su Guillory
In recent years (and particularly THIS year), a growing number of women have packed their bags, traded in the 9-to-5 grind, and booked a one-way ticket to la dolce vita. Their destination? Italy. Not just for a vacation, but for a bold, beautiful new chapter in life.I know. I was one of them three years ago. I wanted a slower, richer life that allowed me to savor life, food, friends, and moments.So what’s drawing women from around the world to start over in Italy...and why now?1. A Slower, ...| Su Guillory
Moving to Italy comes with its fair share of dreamlike moments: sunset aperitivi, weekend trips to hilltop villages, and long lunches that blur into dinner. But there’s one element of la dolce vita that doesn’t make it into the guidebooks: Italian bureaucracy.Whether you're applying for a visa, getting your permesso di soggiorno, or trying to get your internet hooked up, you're going to need more than patience...you’ll need a strategy.Consider this your Italian Bureaucracy Survival Kit,...| Su Guillory
You might be surprised to hear that I know a LOT of women, mostly single, who have decided to hit the reset button on their lives by moving to Italy.We're a certain breed...we weren't happy with the mundane, workaholic lives we were living in the U.S., so we set our sights on la dolce vita.I'd love to share some of the stories of other brave female expats living in Italy!Lynn Parnell: TropeaLynn was actually one of the very first people I met when I first visited Calabria. For the past three yea| Su Guillory
Even if you're super-DIY like I am, you're going to need help when you move to Italy. And one of the people you'll want to connect with is a commercialista.What is a Commercialista?In Italy, a commercialista is the equivalent of an accountant, tax advisor, and/or financial advisor in the United States. However, commercialistas have a broader scope of responsibilities, encompassing various aspects of taxation, accounting, and business consulting. They are highly trained professionals who provide| Su Guillory
On the long list of things you'll need as an expat living in Italy is a tessera sanitaria. Let's look at what it is and when and why you need one.What is a Tessera Sanitaria?The tessera sanitaria is a health insurance card issued by the Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale or SSN) to all citizens and residents of Italy. The tessera sanitaria is a plastic card (best kept in your wallet or purse!) with your name, date of birth, and tax code (codice fiscale), as well as det| Su Guillory
So many of my clients plan to apply for Italian citizenship, but they don't realize that there are some changes afoot that may crush that possibility for some. As of March 28, 2025, Italy has implemented stricter regulations for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), a move that narrows eligibility and introduces new requirements for applicants, especially those living abroad.Here's what you need to know if you're an American considering applying for Italian citizenship through your fa| Su Guillory
