From all of us at Magic Towns, our best wishes for the year just begun.
This week, rather than presenting new material, we wanted to look back at what mattered most in 2025 for people planning a move to Italy.
The past year confirmed something we see every day: there is still widespread confusion around Italian visas, taxes, property, and bureaucracy, alongside a limited understanding of what Italy offers beyond the usual destinations. That combination often leads to decisions made without the full picture.
Our goal at Magic Towns is clarity. Over the past year we expanded the Town Explorer, published deeper data-led guides, and spent time speaking directly with many of you. Anna started the very successful What People Say About Living In… series. The articles below are the ones you read, shared, and asked about most.
Most of what we publish is free. We’re ad-free, take no kickbacks, and focus solely on independent, practical guidance. If you find our work useful, consider upgrading to access more in-depth content. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or Instagram for key updates.
Visas and citizenship
Italian immigration rules remain… interpretative. 2025 brought major changes, from the citizenship reform that closed doors for many Italo-descendants to new quota-free work visa pathways that quietly opened others.
Some of the most-read guides this year:
- Italy’s 2025 Citizenship Reform and alternative immigration options
- The new quota-free work visa pathway
- Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa, and the realities behind it
- CIMEA certification explained, unglamorous but essential
Property and real estate
Property remains one of the biggest sources of both excitement and regret. This year confirmed that “where” matters as much as “what”, and that good data beats romantic listings every time.
Your most-read property pieces included:
- Italy’s €1 homes: opportunity or illusion?
- The 10 most common renovation mistakes expats make
- IMU property tax explained
- Opening a B&B or farmstay in Italy
- Coolcation towns and how climate is reshaping demand
Because of how often we saw costly mistakes, we created the Ultimate Property Guide, now included free for subscribers.
The 7% tax towns
Interest in the 7% flat tax continued to grow, and with it questions about eligibility, housing, and long-term viability.
The most consulted guides:
- The definitive list of 7% tax towns
- Housing pitfalls for ERV and 7% tax applicants
- Earthquake risk and what it really means
- Curated 7% towns in Umbria and Marche
Expat stories
Finally, the stories. These remain the most human part of what we do. From people starting over alone, to families and couples taking big risks, the honesty of these accounts shaped our year.
Among the most-read:
- A €1 house rebuild in Mussomeli
- Life in Bari on the Digital Nomad Visa
- A B&B leap from Melbourne to Lake Garda
- Finding home in a 1,200-person town in Le Marche
What began as a resource has become a community, and that’s because of you. Your questions force us to dig deeper, your feedback keeps us honest, and your trust reminds us why this matters.
Next week we’ll be back with our usual weekly updates. For now, thank you for being part of this journey.
Buon anno a tutti,
Luca & the Magic Towns team



