Penny's activity

If you are tax resident in Italy (this can be a bit of a grey area as the tax man is likely to assume you are if you to take residency but I believe in theory you need to physically be here at least 183 days a year), then you should pay tax here in Italy on your worldwide income. There is a question on the Italian tax return specifically asking you to declare any assets (upon which you will be taxed) including bank accounts and shares in companies held in the UK. There are some rather complicated ways to protect yourself but you will need specialist advice. I used Michael J Murphy (easily Googled).

You've gotta love the 'laws' in this country!!! I heard that jewellers were practically going out of business over this as the men couldn't buy their lovers jewellery without having to give their Codice Fiscale! Cue the much photocopied Russian passports being used then :-)

If you're not sure, you can buy the regional price lists for all building works from the big newsagent's situation on the edge of Bordighera/Ventimiglia (at the crossroads on the left if coming from Bordighera) where you can buy English newspapers. Every region publishes a list every year of the cost of every building task. To do a proper check you will need a very detailed quote from the builder listing every task and how many sqm it involves which he may not be inclined to give. This is usually produced by the geometra/architect and is called a computo metrico. You might find you need planning permission as usually anything that affects drainage (such as bulding walls, paving, concreting) is very tightly controlled due to landslip prevention. Asking the technico at the comune is the best bet.

I shall hotfoot it up the hill then and claim mine before we move!

I hope you're right. The head of the health authority said he would sort it when I collared him at a meeting in Amandola last year. Of course I just assumed it was the usual brush off. Maybe he was true to his word! I am assuming that you're not old enough to be retired? Only retirees seem to get the full registration.

Also we are not allowed to donate stem cells as I found out, for the same reason. The person you spoke to is correct. It is an S1 you need Lucy, which should entitle you to around 2 years cover here in italy (can't remember exactly) based upon your UK contributions without the need to pay here. This assumes you were paying NI until you emigrated. It is sufficient for your residency and after this period expires you will need to pay the sum you mentioned each year or be contributing to the Italian National Insurance system here (INPS). Some comunes do not understand this and try to get  new arrivals to pay for a private medical policy. In theory, after 5 years continuous residency you get a permanent inscription and no longer need to present proof of earnings/contributions but here it doesn't work like that. You will find plenty of info on this site regarding the issues we have here.

Have you actually got a phoneline? If not, then Telecom have to come first and do that bit before Vodafone can do anything. The holdup could be there.

Plenty here in Amandola

When the Aquila earthquake happened we felt it and several of the aftershocks in Marche. That was quite disturbing and we went to bed with water, a phone and a torch. Otherwise no precautions.

Unless you have a business connection where you require a card to activate the connection which fits into the router, then you can use whatever router you want - no problem.