Moving To Calabria

Gerardo · #1 (**permalink**) 6th May 2008, 08:10 AM

We are thinking of moving to the Catanzaro area of Calabria. We are moving from Melbourne, Australia with my wife and two girls (9 and 4).

We are non EU citizens. Does anyone know the protocols for living in Italy? Are there any "tricks or shortcuts"?
We have family there.

Bevdeforges · #2 (**permalink**) 6th May 2008, 09:26 AM

Being non-EU citizens means you will have to get some form of "long-stay" visa. Your best source for information about that would be the Italian Consulate or Embassy in Australia. Generally it's a matter of showing that you have a means of supporting yourself and some "reason" for moving to Italy (family, work, study, etc.).

As far as the "protocols" go - the first thing I'd recommend is LEARN THE LANGUAGE (if you don't already know it). Though it's not difficult to find English speakers when you're a tourist, it's entirely different if you're living there.

You may also want to check the website of the Australian Consulate in Italy. Very often they have information for their citizens living in the country and can connect you to expat groups or recommend ways to handle typical moving issues, like driving licenses and such.
Cheers,
Bev

Gerardo · #3 (**permalink**) 6th May 2008, 10:17 AM

The Italian Consulate here in Melbourne is very nonchalant! My Uncle has a business there and my wife has an online business, so work may/will not be an issue.
I speak dialect Calabrese, but when we were there in 2006, we noticed that the majority speak standard Italian

Bev, how long have you been in Italy, where did you move from, and what differences did you experience??

Thanks

Bevdeforges · #4 (**permalink**) 6th May 2008, 12:04 PM

I'm not in Italy - I'm a bit north and west of there, in France. But thanks to the European Union, things are getting a little more standardized between countries here. I've lived in the UK, Germany and now France and did a bit of travelling around Europe when I was on secondment from the US a few years back.
Cheers,
Bev

anitamort · #5 (**permalink**) 8th May 2008, 06:16 PM

Hi

I live in Calabria and have lived here now for 3 years. Yes it is better if you know the lannguage first. If you speak Calabrese then you shouldnt have too many problems, older generation certainly speak it!

Gerardo · #6 (**permalink**) 9th May 2008, 05:07 AM

Where did you move from and do you like it_

anitamort · #7 (**permalink**) 9th May 2008, 01:09 PM

Hi
I moved from the Uk to Spain and lived there for three years. Then I moved from Spain to Italy and have been here for three years now. Have been coming to Calabria on holiday for nearly 20 years.