|  | | | Moving To Italy For EU Citizens | | Registration & Residence - Movement Of Goods - Plants & Animals
Financial Assets - Cars -
Driving Licence - Finding Accommodation
Finding a School | | Residence Permits Registration Procedures | Citizens of an EU Member State are free to enter the Italian Republic, subject to the provisos laid down in criminal law and laws to safeguard public order, internal security and public health in force in Italy. EU Citizens must hold an identification document that is valid at the time they enter State territory.
Since 11 April 2007, when Decree Law No 30/2007 transposing Community Directive N0 38/2004 into law entered into force, it has no longer been necessary to acquire a
residence permit from the local police headquarters (Questura) for residence in excess of three months.
EU citizens are merely bound to observe all requirements imposed on Italian citizens for the exercise of certain activities.
Further information can be obtained on the Polizia di Stato [State Police] website.
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| Movement Of Goods | The free movement of goods is one of the cornerstones of the European Single Market.
The removal of national barriers to the free movement of goods within the EU is one of the principles enshrined in the EU Treaties. From a traditionally protectionist starting point, the countries of the EU have continuously been
lifting restrictions to form a ‘common’ or single market. This commitment to create a European trading area without frontiers has led to the creation of more wealth and new jobs, and has globally established the EU as a world trading player alongside the United States and Japan.
Despite Europe’s commitment to breaking down all internal trade barriers, not all sectors of the economy have been harmonised. The European Union decided to regulate at a European level sectors which might
impose a higher risk for Europe’s citizens – such as pharmaceuticals or construction products. The majority of products (considered a ‘lower risk’) are subject to the application of the so-called principle of mutual recognition, which means that essentially every product legally manufactured or marketed in one of the Member States can be freely moved and traded within the EU internal market.
Limits to the free movement of goods
The EU Treaty gives Member States the right to set
limits to the free movement of goods when there is a specific common interest such as protection of the environment, citizens’ health, or public policy, to name a few. This means for example that if the import of a product is seen by a Member State’s national authorities as a potential threat to public health, public morality or public policy, it can deny or restrict access to its market. Examples of such products are genetically modified food or certain energy drinks.
Even though
there are generally no limitations for the purchase of goods in another Member State, as long as they are for personal use, there is a series of European restrictions for specific categories of products, such as alcohol and tobacco. | | Plants & Animals | There are no particular customs formalities or duties for
things that appear, "by their nature or number, to be intended for the private, personal or family use of the recipients or of the persons who transport them or which appear to be intended as gifts".
Conveyance of animals
Movements of pet animals within the European Union are governed by Regulation (EC) No 998/2003, which lays down the obligation to provide pets with a special European passport.
This law has been in force since 3 July 2004 and applies to the following
animal species: dogs, cats, ferrets, invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans), tropical ornamental fish, amphibia, reptiles, birds (except poultry), mammals such as rodents and domestic rabbits.
The passport accompanying these animals in their travels should be issued by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority and must certify that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, ticks and echinococcosis.
In addition, the passport must include a statement that the
animal is in good health and able to withstand the journey, signed by the competent veterinarian.
Other animals
Other animals such as fish, frogs and tortoises:
importation is allowed if they are accompanied by a certificate of origin issued by the authorities of the country of origin, which must certify that the animal has had a medical examination and is free of infectious diseases.
Protected species
Animals
Some animals (e.g. parrots, lizards, snakes, turtles,
ornamental fish, any species of birds, monkeys, etc.) originating from specified countries belong to species protected by the Washington Convention. A traveller wishing to bring such animals into the country must show a CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate; which is to say, the export permit issued by the authorities of the country of origin.
The import of some types of animals listed in Appendix I of the Washington
Convention, such as animals with pelt markings (leopards, cheetahs and ocelots), is strictly prohibited.
Failure to observe these provisions regarding CITES certification will lead to the imposition of a fine ranging from 2 to 18 million or, in the most serious cases, the confiscation of the animal.
Ivory, furs and coral
In addition, products derived from animals protected by the Washington Convention (e.g. ivory, fur and coral), must be accompanied upon entry by a CITES
certificate. The penalties are the same as those provided for the import of animals.
Plants
Some types of plant (for example, cacti and orchids) are also recognised as "protected species". Any traveller wishing to import such types of plants, must obtain an authorization certificate issued by the authorities of the country of origin. The Washington Convention prohibits completely the import and export of some species (such as the Ariocarpus cactus and the Papiotelinum
orchid). | | Financial Assets | Free movement of capital
An essential condition for the functioning of the internal market is the free movement of capital. It is one of the four basic freedoms guaranteed by EU legislation and represents the basis of the integration of European financial markets. Europeans can now
manage and invest their money in any EU Member State.
The liberalisation of capital markets has marked a crucial point in the process of economic and monetary integration in the EU. It was the first step towards the establishment of our European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the common currency, the Euro.
Advantage
The principle of the free movement of capital not only increases the efficiency of financial markets within the Union, it also brings a series of
advantages to EU citizens. Individuals can carry out a broad number of financial operations within the EU without major restrictions. For instance, individuals with few restrictions can
easily open a bank account,
buy shares
invest, or
purchase real estate
in another Member State. EU Companies can invest in, own and manage other European enterprises.
Exceptions
Certain exceptions to this principle apply both within the Member States and with third countries.
They are mainly related to taxation, prudential supervision, public policy considerations, money laundering and financial sanctions agreed under the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The European Commission is continuing to work on the completion of the free market for financial services, by implementing new strategies for financial integration in order to make it even easier for citizens and companies to manage their money within the EU. |
| Cars | The implementation of the principle of free movement of people, is one of the cornerstones of our European construction, has meant the introduction a series of practical rules to ensure that citizens can travel freely and easily to any Member State of the European Union. Travelling across the EU with one’s car has become a lot less
problematic. The European Commission has set a series of common regulations governing the mutual recognition of driving licences, the validity of car insurance, and the possibility of registering your car in a host country.
Registering your car in the host country
In the event you reside in another EU Member State and drive your car there for more that six months, you will be obliged to register the car with the local authorities and pay the host country’s registration tax.
Car Insurance
EU citizens can insure their car in any EU country, as long as the chosen insurance company is licensed by the host national authority to issue the relevant insurance policies. A company based in another Member State is entitled sell a policy for compulsory civil liability only if certain conditions are met. Insurance will be valid throughout the Union, no matter where the accident takes place.
Taxation
Value Added Tax or VAT on motor vehicles is ordinarily paid in
the country where the car is purchased, although under certain conditions, VAT is paid in the country of destination.
More information on the rules which apply when a vehicle is acquired in one EU Member State and is intended to be registered in another EU Member State is available here. | |
Driving Licence | There is currently no common EU driving licence in place, but the EU Member States have introduced a “Community Model” driving licence. This common model ensures that driving licences issued by different EU countries are easily recognised in other Member States. A principle of mutual recognition is generally applied. The licence is issued
in accordance to national law, but should incorporate provisions concerning the Community Model, such as the basic conditions to be granted a licence.
Old driving licences issued before 1996 do not have to be exchanged for the new Community Model driving licence and remain valid until their expiration.
If an EU citizen takes up residence in another Member State, it is not necessary to exchange the driving licence, although many often do for practical reasons. Also, some Member
States require that additional data be entered onto the licence to fulfil certain administrative requirements.
In the event of expiry, loss or theft, a new driving licence can be issued in the Member State of residence, in accordance to national conditions. Citizens should contact the competent authorities. | | Finding Accommodation |
Most long term accommodation for rent is private but a proportion is owned by the local authorities. Rents vary from area to area and from region to region: they are higher in tourist areas and in old city centres. You can find information on houses to rent or buy in local classified advertising papers or by looking in estate agents. Nowadays it is also a good idea to look on the internet. Word of mouth works well in small places and you can find satisfactory
accommodation by asking around in shops, bars etc.
Free market rents are very high and you need to go a long way out of town and city centres to find reasonable prices. The cost of tenancies is set by law; this is referred to as equo canone (fair rent rules). Usually, rental contracts are for a long period, renewed every four years. It is also possible to make private arrangements with landlords concerning rents. Agreements must always be stipulated in writing and registered with
the Ufficio delle Entrate [tax office]
When buying a property, you must consult a notary public to verify the terms and conditions of sale, and to stipulate the purchase agreement. As soon as you have signed your rental agreement, it is advisable to contact all the utility companies supplying electricity, gas and telephone services because the waiting times for such services range from 15 days to one month. Notify the local Anagrafe [public records office] of your domicile or
residence as soon as possible after signing the rental agreement. | | Finding a School | Schooling is open to everyone. Article 34 of the Italian Constitution states that "Primary education, given for at least eight years, is compulsory and free of charge.
Pupils of ability and merit, even if lacking
financial resources, have the right to attain the highest grades of studies. The Republic furthers the realisation of this right by scholarships, allowances to families, and other provisions, to be assigned through competitive examinations.
Municipalities with a kindergarten service manage Scuole dell’infanza [kindergartens]. You may enrol with a kindergarten: with the school itself from 18 to 20 January. You can enrol your children at any level in any kindergarten.
Some Provinces also have a scuola materna [nursery school] department.
For more general information, contact Ufficio IV della Direzione generale per gli Ordinamenti scolastici [Department IV of the Directorate General for Educational Training Structures]: tel.+39 06/58492311-2346.
For further local information, contact your local regional education department. | | | Source: European Union © European Communities, 1995-2008
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mike@tuscanyrealestate.co.uk | All material on this site is based on information that we consider reliable, but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or
complete and should not be relied on as such.
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