In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m diving into a question I get all the time from clients, members, and listeners: “If I get the Digital Nomad Visa… can I bring my spouse? What about my kids?”

The short answer? Yes—you can.

But (you knew there’d be a but, right?)… it’s not always as straightforward as people expect.

So today, I’m walking you through what it really looks like to bring your family with you when you’re making the move to Italy on a Digital Nomad Visa. We’ll talk about what’s possible, what the law says, and what you can actually do to keep your family together during the move.

I’ll break down what qualifies as a family member in Italy’s eyes (spoiler: you need to be legally married or in a registered civil union—common-law relationships don’t count here). And I’ll explain the difference between bringing children versus bringing a spouse, especially now that Italy has introduced a two-year wait for spouses under family cohesion. Yep, that’s new—and not great—but there is a workaround.

I’ll walk you through the steps you need to follow, like:

• Getting your own Digital Nomad Visa approved first
• Securing a long-term lease in Italy
• Applying for the Nulla Osta (a critical clearance document)
• And gathering all the paperwork—like marriage certificates, birth certificates, and apostilles—that you’ll need to submit on your family’s behalf

I also talk about some of the real challenges people face once they’re in Italy—like how different every Questura (immigration office) is, and why that can seriously affect your timeline. It’s one of those things no one tells you about until you’re already in it, so I’m telling you now.

And of course, I answer some of your listener questions—like whether your spouse can work on the family visa, what happens if you're not married, and how the process looks different for other visas like the Elective Residency Visa.

This episode is packed with the practical, behind-the-scenes info you need to make sure you’re not caught off guard. If you’re planning to move to Italy and want to bring your partner or kids, this episode will help you plan it the right way—without the panic, delays, or unnecessary heartache.

So grab a coffee, maybe a notebook, and let’s get into what it really takes to move to Italy with your family. You don’t have to do it alone—we’re here to help every step of the way.

Ciao for now!

— Samantha

Resources

The Family Visa

Smart Move Italy

Rate, Review, & Follow

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move toward their new life in Italy and live the life they deserve.

Tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes every week and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

If you want to learn more about ways that my team and I can help you live your dream life in Italy, visit us at www.smartmoveitaly.com or send me an email!

Until next time!

Ci vediamo!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sentire Media Website

Ciao friends—Samantha here!

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the biggest (and most confusing) decisions you can make when moving to Italy: buying a home.

If you’ve ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through dreamy Italian property listings online and thinking, “I’ll just message the agent and go from there,”—I’m going to stop you right there. Because the truth? The buying process in Italy isn’t as simple—or as straightforward—as it might be in your home country. But don’t worry, I’m breaking it all down for you step-by-step.

We’ll talk about:

• How to properly search for property without falling into the “perfect listing” trap
• What really happens during negotiations (hint: it's not always quick or clear-cut)
• Why having your own representation is not just helpful—it’s essential
• What to expect at the final deed signing, and what comes after you get the keys

And to make it even more real, I’m joined by one of our wonderful clients—and now friend—Sarah Wheeldon, a fellow Canadian who made the leap and bought her dream home in Pitigliano. You might’ve seen her on our YouTube channel, but today you’ll hear the full story: the highs, the nerves, the lessons, and what life is like now that she’s living in the home she once imagined.

We also tackle some common myths (like “It’s cheap!”—well, not always), some behind-the-scenes truths (like what happens when the listing is no longer available), and how to avoid wasting time or money on your buying trip.

If you’re dreaming about buying a home in Italy—whether it’s now or five years from now—this episode is full of insights to help you plan smarter and feel more confident.

And if you want support through the process? You know where to find us—SmartMoveItaly.com 💛

Ciao for now!

— Samantha

Resources:

Property Purchase Assistance BOOK A CALL

Episode 44 How to plan a perfect buying trip

Episode 18 How to save money with currency exchange

Dott Simone Magherini (Senior Commercialista)

Mentioned in this episode:

Sentire Media Website

Sentire Media Website

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m getting honest about something I think too many people overlook when planning a big move: the emotional side of starting over in a new country.

Yes, Italy is beautiful. Yes, the lifestyle shift can be amazing. But today, I want to talk about what doesn’t always make it onto Instagram—the reality of what happens when you move your entire life, your identity, and your sense of home to a place where everything is different.

I’ve seen it time and time again: people show up full of excitement and plans, only to find themselves totally unprepared for what happens after the paperwork is done and the boxes are unpacked. The truth is, living in a new country—especially alone, or as a couple who might not be on exactly the same page—can shake up everything you thought you knew about yourself.

In this episode, I talk about the quiet parts of this journey: the grief of leaving behind people who really knew you, the frustration of starting from zero, the moments where you second-guess whether you made the right decision. I share a story from a woman in our community who found herself unexpectedly overwhelmed with loneliness in her first Italian winter. She wasn’t expecting how hard it would be to not share a language—or a history—with anyone around her.

But I also want to show you what’s on the other side of that discomfort. There’s something incredibly freeing about being unknown in a new place. It gives you a chance to rebuild—not from scratch, but from experience. You get to choose what you carry forward and what you let go of.

Later in the episode, I’ll give you some practical suggestions for making the transition smoother—especially if you’re doing this solo. We’ll talk about what helps, what usually takes longer than expected, and what it really means to give yourself time and space to settle in.

And of course, I’ll answer some listener questions too—from managing the language barrier to what timeline you should expect for feeling “at home” in Italy.

If you're in that in-between place—planning your move, freshly landed, or a few years in but still adjusting—I hope this episode makes you feel seen. You’re not alone, and you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just finding your way.

—Samantha

Resources: Join our Membership

Rate, Review, & Follow

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move toward their new life in Italy and live the life they deserve.

Tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding new episodes every week and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

If you want to learn more about ways that my team and I can help you live your dream life in Italy, visit us at www.smartmoveitaly.com or send me an email!

Until next time!

Ci vediamo!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sentire Media Website

Sentire Media Website