Moving to Toscana
The cradle of the Italian language and the Renaissance: villas, olive groves, wine, cultural heritage - one of the most recognizable and touristy regions. By the community it is an important hub of the Russian-speaking community (usually fourth for fellow expats) and conveniently placed between the key cities of the north and centre. An added bonus people often note is the lenient local bureaucracy on registration.
Updated: - permesso.love editorial team
In brief: about the region
- Part of Italy: Central Italy
- Regional capital: Firenze
- Cities in our catalog: 1
- Cost of living: high cost
Cities in the region
Economy and jobs
An economy largely about tourism, culture, wine and crafts; in Florence the art sector, language teaching and everything around tourism stand out, but the scene is oversaturated with English-speaking expats, which pushes salaries down. By the community outside the centre Italian is needed, and remote work is a more reliable income. Check current information yourself.
Russian-speaking community
An important hub of the Russian-speaking community (usually fourth), but in Florence the English-speaking expat scene is stronger (artists, students, teachers), with Russian speakers in its shadow. Across the region (Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Arezzo and the towns) you find settled families, often for the good schools.
Healthcare
By the community people are sometimes happy with healthcare in the region - you find the verdict that "in northern Tuscany people are happy with Italian medicine" as opposed to the harder south. Access still depends on the specific city. The SSN and tessera sanitaria via ASL work as everywhere. Check what is current on the ground.
Pros
- Lenient local bureaucracy: registration on the ricevuta goes more smoothly
- An important hub of the Russian-speaking community (around fourth)
- Unrivalled cultural heritage and iconic landscapes
- A convenient location between the north and the centre
Cons
- Expensive and overloaded with tourists, Florence especially
- In Florence the environment is English-centric, the job market saturated with expats
- The Florence questura is notorious for long waits
- A hot dry summer (often above 30)
Community voices
I will single out Tuscany for bureaucracy: I registered on the ricevuta without trouble, here they take a reasonable view and interpret it in your favour. Acquaintances in other regions had a much harder time, so if early registration matters - look at Tuscany.
In Florence there are a great many English-speaking expats in the centre - to my taste that is a plus, easier to find your crowd and speak English. But if you specifically want a Russian environment, here it is secondary, and housing is hard to find.
FAQ
How much does living in Tuscany cost?
Expensive, especially in Florence with its tourist markup on housing and daily life. Across the region (Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Arezzo and the towns) costs are calmer, and families often settle there for the schools. Check current prices.
Is there a Russian-speaking community in Tuscany?
The region is an important community hub (usually fourth nationally), but in Florence the English-speaking expat scene is stronger, with Russian speakers in its shadow. Settled families are found across the region's towns.
Is registration on the ricevuta really easier in Tuscany?
By community experience the local bureaucracy is lenient: registration on the ricevuta goes more smoothly than in many other regions - rules get read in your favour. People also report being happy with medicine in northern Tuscany. Community observations - verify locally.
Related
Other regions
Subjective community observations across different years, not a ranking. Verify on the ground.
All Italian regions