So, you want to move to another country? Here is the first thing I would do.

I get asked this all the time and I thought it would be beneficial to devote a post to this specific thing.

If you are looking to immigrate to another country, before you do anything, look for a house or apartment, sell your house, pack your things, I would HIGHLY suggest a quick google search for the embassy for the country you are looking to move. You must find the one closest to you. In may be in your state or you may have to travel when you are ready to actually apply. I would actually do this for several countries to help decide where to move as every country is no’t as easy to gain a visa for along term stay. Possibly even search for “easiest countries for ______ (americans) to immigrate to”.

Usually when people ask me about this, they ask about dual citizenship.

THIS IS THE WRONG QUESTIONS.

For most countries, unless you have ancestry from that country, you will not go in as a dual citizen. You will go in with a long term visa. Typically, most countries ask for 10 years before applying for citizenship. There are work arounds for that like marriage and investment that will often shorten that wait period.

That said, this is all I would suggest you do to start this process. Don’t ask me about my visa or anyone else because our visa’s are based on our specific situations. You have to find one that works for you.

Now Italy. I am very open in telling people that if you aren’t already retired or have enough money coming in from investments, you will have to get a little strategic with. No one comes to Italy to work. We come to relax. To enjoy life. For dolce far niente. The sweetness of doing nothing. So, if you aren’t financially free, Id highly suggest looking at other European countries if Europe is your thing. Spain, Portugal and France are easier entries though I wouldn’t say France is “easy” persay, they are more open to creative ways to enter the country. If Italy is where your heart jumps you will have to look at available visa’s and get creative on how you can qualify. And in all transparency, I have at least 3 friends who married their way in. It really helps that Italian men seem to love American women. I think they just love women in general though…and their moms but thats another story for another day.

All that said, do your research. Find what works for you. And be open to buy elsewhere.