Emilia-Romagna is Italy’s „land of the good life“: home to Parmesan, prosciutto, and balsamic vinegar; “Motor Valley,” with Ferrari and Lamborghini; and one of the wealthiest, best-organized regions in the country. This guide shows you the best places to live, what it costs, and how to find work.
Why Emilia-Romagna?
The Region Brings People Together Economic strength, a high quality of life, and world-class cuisine. It has low unemployment, excellent public services, and a central location with excellent rail connections. Ideal for anyone looking for a stable job market with good value for money—without Milan’s sky-high prices.
Where to Live: Cities and Housing
- Bologna: the vibrant capital and transportation hub (its own Bologna Guide).
- Modena, Parma, Reggio Emilia: prosperous cities with a high quality of life (and Motor Valley).
- Rimini, Ravenna: on the Adriatic coast, a popular tourist destination.
- The Hinterland and the Apennines: rural and more affordable.
Housing is—except in Bologna—usually moderate. To learn how lease agreements work, go to Rent an Apartment.
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North, Central, or South? A comparison of climate, costs, jobs, and the expat community—here’s how to find the right region to move to in Italy.
Labor and the Economy
Emilia-Romagna is a A Driver of Industry and Innovation: Automotive and mechanical engineering (the „Motor Valley“ with Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Ducati), mechanical engineering, packaging technology, the food industry, ceramics (Sassuolo), and tourism. The job market is Stable and in need of skilled workers. You can find out how to search in the guide Find a Job; Professionals should Tax Regime for Impatriates Check.
Cost of living
The region is located in the upper middle range – more affordable than Milan, with good salaries and strong public services. The overview of the Cost of living.
Everyday Life: Climate and Transportation
The central location and the hub Bologna make the region easily accessible (Milan, Florence, and Venice are about 1–1.5 hours away). The cities are well connected by bus and bike. The climate is continental: hot, humid summers and cold, foggy winters. More at Public Transportation.
First Steps in Emilia-Romagna
The usual order applies: Codice Fiscale, Residenza at your municipality of residence, registration with the health department, and a bank account. You can find the complete process in the Moving Checklist.
What You Need to Do Next
Take advantage of the strong job market and the central location; choose a city based on your job and budget. Get your Codice Fiscale and—if you’re a non-EU citizen—the appropriate visa, and work through the administrative steps one by one.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Emilia-Romagna
Sources
- Emilia-Romagna Region (accessed in June 2026)
- ISTAT – National Institute of Statistics (accessed in June 2026)
