Hi Folks,

New to this so please be patient !

We are moving to Italy from the UK (initially for 4 months) and are intending driving our car over (worth about £7,000) and using it for a while. We are staying in a rented property, does anyone know (FOR SURE) if I as a renter (not owner) wether I can actually buy a car in italy, or do I have to OWN a property there?

Hope someone can help !

K

Whether you rent or buy this rule applies to everyone from the EU. You can drive your car here for 6 months, then you have to convert it or take it back to the UK. If you have residency here then you can buy a second-hand car. If you don't you can only buy a new car for your use in Italy only.

Check out the British Embassy website for Italy - all the information is on there.

Just to add to what Testarossa said (which is all good), if you decide to register your UK car here (which I did a while back), it will set you back somewhere in the region of 750 to 1000 euros. You'll need to find an agent to do it for you and typically it will take about 2 weeks or so.

And be prepared for everybody to stare at you with there mouths open while you're driving it about ... at least, that's what happens here!

Thanks a lot Testarossa...............decisions decisions!

Thanks D4n............it may be easier to sell in Uk and buy seperately in Italy..........I''ll have to consider the pros and cons

Certainly will be simpler to sell your car in the UK and buy one in Italy. This has 2 secondary benefits; you won't be driving with the steering wheel on the wrong side and you won't be driving around advertising the fact that you are, effectively, a tourist - which tends to make your car more of a target for thieves.

Oh my gawd!!..........I'm tempted to stay in the uk !...........Anyone want to buy a car !!!!

Many many thanks for the help.............I am now working hard on my Italian and will pass help on to others (when I'm able !!)

Driving with the steering wheel on the wrong side is OK. You get used to it soon enough. The only thing you can't do safely is overtake. But I'm generally happy about that given the sometimes homicidal nature of car driving around here!

As for thieves, I actually think you're less of a target. If you're talking about stealing the car, then who is going to choose to steal a car (of all the cars available) with the steering on the wrong side! I think you're safer with your UK car ... nobody is going to touch it. If you're talking breaking into it, then just don't leave anything on show, same as usual.

I feel that I am amongst knowledgable 'friends' thanks to all for the comments,

Ken

am sellin my car before comin back over can anyone explain in and out of buying used or new car in sicily? currently renting house.