Christmas means Christmas

I think this might well be my last blog of this calendar year...and what a year it has been. 

I have tried to stay clear of Brexit themed information during the last year because in my separate role as a committee member of British in Italy I thought it would be best dealt with there.   However, it just feels appropriate to make some comments of my own about Brexit on this blog. 

If you haven't seen yet, at British in Italy we had a great meeting with the Italian Foreign ministry about the protection of our citizens' rights post Brexit day, in the case of no deal.  In short, most things will be protected.,.healthcare, right to stay etc, with conditions., but essentially, anyone who is registered as resident in Italy before 29th March 2019 should maintain their current rights, even in the case of no deal. The detail has to be passed into law, but this is the information they wanted us to know.   The Italian foreign ministry are the first country in Europe to have made such a statement about the treatment of British citizens living in their country, so for all our complaining about inefficiency and bureaucracy, we should all take our hats off to them for this effort.  This is superb news.

If you want to see the full text of the British in Italy statement, you can find it HERE

However, it does mean that anyone living under the radar and exploiting the freedom of movement directive will not be protected in a no deal scenario.  Being registered at the comune is what counts and this means entering the tax system.  I have said it many times and will repeat it here, that planning your finances before you make that decision is critical.  Opportunities exist to make the best use of the transition between tax systems, so plan your move carefully. You can always contact me on gareth.horsfall@spectrum-ifa.com if you want to talk it through.

Of course if a withdrawal agreement is eventually agreed upon, then the terms of the Withdrawal agreement will come into force. 

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Do you still drive a UK registered (or other foreign registered)   car in Italy? 

So, after my few words on Brexit, let's move onto more financial and other news which you might find interesting.  During the last few weeks, whilst preoccupied with Brexit matters, I have also been scouring the papers and finding a few things which may be useful for you in the coming year.   

 

For those of you following the British in Italy events, you may have seen that the new 'Decreto di Sicurezza' has had some impacts on Brits seeking Italian citizenship (like myself).  What was not so well publicised, but which I happened to stumble across recently, was the news that the same 'Decreto' also made modifications to the 'Codice della Strada' (Highway code).  

60 days residency in Italy and then you need to convert to Italian registration plates. 

The new law, which has come into force with immediate effect, aims to control the number of people who are now living in Italy but still driving cars which are registered abroad. The law has always been that the 'targa' must be changed to an Italian 'targa' within a reasonable time frame after moving to the country.   

The law that is now in force will affect you if you are driving on foreign plates and spend more than 60 days in Italy per calendar year.  If you have not changed to Italian plates and have been resident for more than 60 days, then the penalty for getting caught will range between €712 and €2848 depending on the length of time you have been in Italy.   If you do not regularise the situation within 180 days of being fined, or take the vehicle back to the country of registration,  then the process of 'confisca amministrativa' can be applied (in short: possible confiscation and destruction of the said vehicle). 

This may interest you if you happen to be using non Italian registration plates on your car.

And on that note, have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

I will be blessing you with more of my financial musings next year.  There will be lots to talk about, as usual.   Whatever happens, I will be here to help you drive (with your Italian registration plates!!)  through the maze of rules, regulations and turmoil ahead.