When you have undertaken such an enormous step as the move to a new country undoubtedly is, you will still have a lot to think about and organise even after the boxes and suitcases are unpacked. It is very important that you keep on top of any administrative/bureaucratic tasks that need to be carried out on arrival, and for certain issues, the authorities can be unforgiving. “I didn’t know I had to do that” is not always a get out of trouble card.

So, here are just some of the items that should really be on your initial check-list:

Codice Fiscale – this is a tax code that all Italian residents are required to obtain for identification purposes when carrying out large purchases or dealing with any paperwork of a bureaucratic nature.  You should be able to obtain this document (a card will EVENTUALLY be sent to you by post) by dropping into your local Agenzia dell'Entrante with some form of photographic identification. Without your codice fiscale, you will be severely limited in what you can do in Italy, so it must be top of your list of priorities.

Residency – in order to apply for your residenza, make your way to the town hall (comune) that covers your catchment area. You will be required to provide photographic identification (a passport is best), your codice fiscale, and, if you cannot provide a contract of employment, you will also need to show that you have private health insurance as well as providing details of either your pension, or the bank account that holds the funds you will be living off.

Bank Account – It is possible to open a post office account in Italy without a residenza, but the uses of a post office account can be limiting. You would also be able to open a bank account without a residenza, but as a non-resident much higher account charges will be applied and upon obtaining your residenza, it would not be possible to just transfer the account, you would be obliged to open a new one. In order to open a resident's account, you will need to present your passport, codice fiscale and residenza.

Obtaining an Italian driving license (patente) – if you hold a British, as opposed to a EEC, driving license, you have 12 months from the date of residency in order to apply for an Italian license. If you do not do so, you may well find that your car and license can legally be impounded if you are stopped by the traffic authorities for any reason. Applying for an Italian driving license is a straightforward swap, and does not involve retaking the test. You may, however, be required to provide a medical certificate of health from your local doctor.

Re-registering your vehicle – if you are intending to purchase a car in Italy, then you will need to already have your residency. If you have arrived in a foreign car, then you have six months before you will be legally required to re-register and insure it in Italy. Technically, if you are out of the country before the six months elapse, they begin again on your return, but should you be stopped by the traffic authorities, that story may not wash without hard and fast proof. You can re-register a RHD vehicle in Italy, but you will be required to change the direction of the headlights as part of the registration process.

Signing on with a doctor – if you are in full-time employment or paying healthcare contributions in Italy, then you have automatic access to all the healthcare benefits that Italians enjoy. As a member of the EU, all British citizens are entitled to some level of healthcare; emergency assistance, for example, and can go along to sign up with any local doctor of their choice who has space on his patient list. If you are not working then it is definitely worthwhile taking out private healthcare cover; a lot of Italians also pay to go privately as Italian state healthcare is not considered to be the best in Europe.

And of course last but by no means least: getting to know you new surroundings and the people with whom you are going to be sharing them. Introduce yourself to your neighbours when occasion arises; try out your Italian wherever possible – Italians are very helpful and always thrilled to find foreigners who make an effort. Some town halls or Agenzie dell’Entrate also offer free Italian lessons to foreign nationals holding a residenza. Check this out, and get signed up!