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Welcome and enjoy the Community.

Hi Ani-Boo and welcome. Best wishes regarding your future plans. You are doing the right thing by taking it slowly and having a trial time. then, you will know for sure whether Italy in general and Sicily in particular could be called "home."

Sorry, I had problems with my tablet and my previous post. I am continuing here. Have a look at your EHIC conditions and requirements. If you google EHIC, you will get plenty of information. also, have another search using the words ITALY RESIDENCY PERMIT. If you intend to stay more than 3 months in Italy, you have to register with the local police. Citizens from EU countries are allowed free circulation and stays of up to 3 months i any EU country; however, after that, you have to apply for a permit and show availability of funds so that they know that you are not going to become a burden. Amongst those matters that you will have to justify is health insurance or its equivalent. Now, if you request the UK  to transfer to Italy your health entitlements and you return to the UK after a year, you may have to wait for up to 6 months before getting back your full benefits. My advice would be to plan for 3 months only and see how you go. Perhaps you would like Italy so much that you may decide to live there permanently; however, that would be a different matter. In any case, best wishes with your plans.

Hi Ceejaylo and welcome. Congratulations on your forthcoming anniversary. We are also members of that group of couples who stay together for a long time, as long as we can stretch it (43 going on 44 years in our case) and still feel that there is plenty to celebrate. IMO, we deserve a medal!!!! Going back to your plans, I am going to play devil's advocate, as there could be some hidden problems, even if the idea is wonderful and worth considering. You mention your husband's medication and treatment. Only your doctor would answer your question. It is something that they can do; however, whether they would be prepared to do it or not, is a different matter. I have been able to obtain chronic treatment medication from my doctor in Spain for up to 6 months, but she knows that I travel a lot and she is a very nice person, but I would say that 6 months may be the limit , as there are residency implications. Your EHIC card would allow you to get treatment overseas for up to 6 months at a time, but be very careful about this, as many countries are only allowing free emergency treatment.

Welcome and best wishes.                      

Sorry to hear about what has happened, Anne. A warning to all. Did the renter pay a deposit, as it is usual, or the full amount?

Thank you, Charlotte. 

Well, just an update, my daughter bought yesterday her new Fiat 500 POP, a gorgeous little black car with sunroof and air conditioning. According to the FIAT people, she will only spend some 1800 USD in gasoline a year. She also got a great deal, as they reduced the cost of the extras. She was thrilled! While we were there, they sold three more cars, so they are doing very well. According to the information, the transmission comes from Italy, the engine is American and the assembly is done in Mexico. I think that it will be very positive for FIAT. And now, all of my daughter friends want to own a FIAT 500!!!!

I think that FIAT may be flooding the American market, I do not think that Chrysle will have the same sort of opportunities in Italy. I wanted to post the FIAT ad shown at the American Super Bowl, but I am having problems pasting it. You can findit very easily in You TUbe using the search words FIAT USA SUPER BOWL SEDUCTION. Great advertising!!!

Glad to hear that you arrived safely and that you enjoyed the journey.