Move to Southern Italy
Support for English speakers considering life in southern Italy, with a focus on Salento.
Your practical overview of what life is really like here — from cost of living and work options to legal questions and lifestyle considerations — so you can decide with confidence before diving into visas or relocation planning.
This page will help if you’re:
trying to work out whether southern Italy fits your lifestyle
comparing southern and northern Italy as places to live
considering Italy as a non-EU citizen
feeling unsure which visa or pathway might apply
Is moving to southern Italy right for you?
What does “southern Italy” really mean?
Many people explore southern Italy as a whole — not just Salento. If you’re curious about other southern regions or even beyond, we can help you understand how those options compare during a clarity call.
Southern Italy generally includes:
Puglia (Salento)
Sicily
Calabria
Basilicata
Campania
parts of Abruzzo & Molise
Each region differs, but all follow systems of daily life that contrast with northern Italy.
The 3 most common questions people ask
Is southern Italy cheaper?
Often yes — particularly for rent and daily life. Details vary by region.
→Cost of living in Salento, Puglia
Can foreigners actually live there legally?
Yes, but only via the correct visa or citizenship pathway.
→How to move to Italy: visas & timelines
Do people actually work there?
Most foreigners rely on:
remote work
pensions
savings
online businesses
Want tailored insight on your own situation?
Book a Clarity Call to talk through your goals and options.
Why Puglia (and Salento) are common landing points
Puglia — and Salento in particular — is often chosen because it offers:
lower living costs without isolation
real towns (not resort bubbles)
growing international communities
excellent food and wine experiences
smoother bureaucracy than major cities
For a deeper, lived-in look at Salento (daily rhythm, settling in, long-term adjustment), start by clicking the button below.
How To Italy & Back can help your move
To Italy & Back is a relocation agency supporting Australians, Americans and other non-EU citizens with moving to Italy, especially southern Italy and Salento.
For moves outside of Puglia, we continue to guide your legal pathway and work with trusted, vetted partners who provide on-the-ground settling-in support while we stay connected to your relocation journey.
Support includes:
visa pathway clarity
relocation planning
local guidance
settling in support
Learn about Visas
Understand the legal pathways, timelines and requirements for moving to Italy.
Compare Regions
Explore the differences between northern and southern Italy before choosing where to land.
Explore Salento
A practical guide to relocating to Salento — housing, costs and daily life.
Start a Conversation
Get personal guidance on visas, relocation and
settling in.
If you’re considering this path..
You do not need to decide everything today. You don’t need all the answers yet.
If the idea of moving to southern Italy has been quietly persistent in you, that’s enough to pay attention to for now.
You’re welcome to read, reflect, and take your time with the question.
And if, one day, you feel ready for grounded, personal guidance — that support exists quietly here too. Check out our Relocation Page.