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Vietnam Whether it be to study, for better salary and career prospects, or to rejoin family who have settled in established Italian communities, moving to the UK is an exciting step!
Yet, while a life in “Britannia” has a lot to offer, you’ll have to ensure you’re prepared; you’ll need to organize your immigration status, housing, healthcare and, for families, schooling, just to name a few. Don’t forget, education, healthcare and rental rules also differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – so specific destination research is key!
In this blog, we give you a headstart in that research process to make sure you know exactly what to prepare for.
TL; DR:
- Check your immigration route.
- Compare total living costs.
- Research schools alongside housing.
- Understand NHS access and prepare your Italian paperwork.
- Plan customs arrangements before shipping your belongings.
What should you organize before leaving Italy?
Italian citizenship alone no longer gives you an automatic right to move to the UK for work.
Unless you already hold a qualifying status, such as valid EU Settlement Scheme status, you will generally need an appropriate visa. An electronic travel authorization (ETA) for visits is not permission to relocate or take a regular UK job.
Start with these steps:
- Confirm the immigration route and work rights of every family member.
- Gather passports, birth and marriage certificates, school reports and medical records. Check translation requirements.
- Ask your employer about relocation support, temporary housing and visa costs.
- Review AIRE obligations. Italian citizens transferring residence abroad for more than 12 months generally need to register within 90 days.
- Seek advice on your Italian and UK tax position, particularly if you retain property or income in Italy.
Keep secure digital copies of essential documents and carry the originals with you.
How do you find a home in the UK?
Choose a neighborhood around your commute, budget and family needs before focusing on individual properties. Test journey times during rush hour and check evening and weekend transport. A cheaper home can become less affordable once commuting costs are included.
Temporary accommodation can help you explore before committing. View properties yourself or through a trusted representative and verify the landlord or agent before paying.
Ask:
- Is the property furnished, and which appliances are included?
- What are the heating arrangements and energy performance rating?
- Which bills are separate from rent?
- What deposit protection, notice and rent increase rules apply?
- What references are accepted if I have no UK rental history?
Rental laws differ across the UK. In England, landlords must check an adult tenant’s right to rent; this requirement does not apply across all four nations.
Practical tip: Photograph the property’s condition and meter readings when moving in and check the inventory carefully.
How much does living in the UK cost compared with Italy?
Compare specific locations and your expected take-home income, rather than relying on a UK-wide average. Build a realistic monthly budget using current rental listings, transport fares and childcare quotes.
Include:
- Housing: rent, energy, water, broadband and contents insurance.
- Local taxes: Council Tax in Great Britain; domestic rates apply in Northern Ireland. Confirm what you must pay.
- Transport: commuting fares or car insurance, fuel and parking.
- Family costs: childcare, school uniforms, meals and holiday care.
- Moving costs: visas, any immigration health surcharge, shipping, deposits and temporary accommodation.
- Connections to Italy: trips home and euro-to-pound conversion fees.
Check the property’s actual Council Tax bill or arrangements before committing. Keep a separate contingency fund for unexpected expenses.
How does healthcare work when you move to the UK?
Check your NHS entitlement through your immigration route and register with a local GP after arrival. Many visa applicants pay the immigration health surcharge, although exemptions apply. Do not assume your Italian European Health Insurance Card is a substitute for arranging healthcare when relocating.
NHS access does not mean every service is free. Dental treatment, optical care and prescriptions may involve charges, depending on the UK nation and your eligibility.
💡 Practical tip: Bring a medical summary, vaccination records and medication details using generic names. Arrange prescription continuity before your existing supply runs out. In England, you do not need ID or proof of address to register with a GP.
How does the UK education system work?
If you are moving with children, researching schools should be one of your earliest priorities.
The UK has four education systems, with different curricula, year groups and qualifications. In England, the usual progression is:
School stage |
Typical year groups |
Approximate ages |
| Primary school | Reception to Year 6 | 4–11 |
| Secondary school | Years 7–11 | 11–16 |
| Sixth form or college | Often Years 12–13 or equivalent courses | 16–18 |
State-funded schools do not charge tuition, whereas private schools do – the average costing £22,400 a year.
Education systems and admissions arrangements differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In some areas, your home address and the school’s catchment area can affect your options.
Steps to consider include:
- Researching the education system in the part of the UK where you plan to live
- Comparing state, independent and international schools
- Checking catchment areas and application deadlines
- Gathering school reports, academic records and references
- Arranging English translations where applicable
- Considering differences in curricula, qualifications and school years
- Aligning school decisions with your housing search
For moves to England, the government’s school admissions guidance is a useful starting point. Families moving elsewhere in the UK should consult the relevant national or local authority.
Storage and flexible delivery options can be helpful while you finalise both schooling and housing, reducing uncertainty for parents and children.
💡 Practical tip: If your teenager is approaching examinations, discuss subject choices and curriculum differences before fixing the move date.
Moving pets from Italy to the UK
Pets are part of the family and relocating them from Italy requires careful preparation!
For dogs, cats and ferrets entering Great Britain from Italy, typical requirements include:
- Having your pet microchipped
- Ensuring the microchip was fitted before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination
- Holding a valid EU pet passport issued by an authorised vet
- Keeping the rabies vaccination valid
- Arranging tapeworm treatment for dogs within the required timeframe
- Travelling through an approved route with an authorised transport provider
- Carrying the original pet documents during the journey
Dogs travelling to Great Britain generally need tapeworm treatment administered by a vet no fewer than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before arrival. Always check the latest official UK pet travel requirements before travelling, as routes and rules can change.
Different arrangements can apply when moving to Northern Ireland. A specialist pet relocation service can help coordinate veterinary appointments, documentation, approved transport and arrival arrangements.
What cultural differences should Italians prepare for?
Expect differences between regions, workplaces and individuals, and give yourself time to find your rhythm.
Cultural Differences: Italy vs UK
While Italians are known for their expressive language and emotional directness, Brits are known to be indirect in their requests – “I was just wondering…” or “Not to worry if not, but…” are common qualifiers. Ask friendly follow-up questions when expectations are unclear.
And if a Brit starts a conversation with the phrase “With all due respect…”, they are most likely disagreeing with something or someone.
Whereas Italian social plans consist of the evening passeggiata, or will include heading out into public squares, streets, and cafes, the UK social scene is often restricted to designated social anchors like the local pub.
An 8pm dinner, while quite the norm in Italy, is considered late for the UK (with 6-7pm being the average dinner time).
UK meals are also often quicker, simpler, and served on a single plate, compared to the multi-course social event in Italy.
In UK, punctuality is incredibly important – it’s best to arrive places a few minutes early, as being late is seen as disorganized and rude.
And the Brits do love a queue! Queueing in the UK is treated as a moral contract where everyone is of equal status. Cutting or pushing in is considered a major no-no.
One of the main talking points in the UK – because it can be so unpredictable! It’s best to prepare for all types of weather, particularly in Spring and Autumn months.
Maintain familiar comforts while building local connections. A sports club, language exchange or regular neighborhood activity can help you feel at home.
Ready to start planning your move from Italy to the UK?
Now is the time to begin shaping your relocation plan, even if you are not ready to move immediately.
Speak to Crown Relocations to build a practical, flexible moving plan that works for your family, belongings and career.
FAQs - Moving from Italy to the UK
Research both together. Check admissions rules and available places before choosing housing and ask the relevant admissions authority how it handles families moving from overseas.
Eligible moves from Italy to Great Britain may qualify for Transfer of Residence relief, subject to conditions and approval. Arrange this before shipping. Moves from the EU to Northern Ireland follow different rules.
Check current restrictions before packing, especially for meat, dairy and other animal products. Rules can change, and Great Britain and Northern Ireland have different arrangements. Ask your mover what your shipment can include.
