It comes as no surprise that Italy is a prime destination for both tourism and long-term stays for expats and Kenyan nationals. The country offers employment opportunities in business, engineering, science, and trade along with an Impatriate Regime Tax incentive which continues to draw thousands of skilled professionals to Italy from all over the world.
Education is a major factor for thousands of newcomers. Italy’s public universities remain the most affordable in Europe, offering low or no tuition.
Inexpensive and accessible healthcare is another big plus. The Legartum Prosperity Index 2023 ranked Italy’s public health system (SSN) #30 of 167 globally, and while quality and wait times vary by region, overall coverage remains a strong benefit.
Then there’s the famous Italian lifestyle – from scenic coastlines and UNESCO-protected heritage sites to Mediterranean cuisines, Italy is a melting pot of culture and quality of life that is well-admired all over the world.
But relocating to the country requires careful planning and preparation to avoid unexpected red tape, costs, or delays. Here are key things to consider if you’re looking to move to Italy from Kenya;
1. Visas and Residence Permits
For non-EU citizens, an entry visa is required. However, some third-party nationals don’t need a visa if they arrive in Italy for tourism purposes and they do not plan to exceed 90 days. For stays of longer than 90 days, all non-EU nationals must obtain the entry visa.
For residents of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, free movement regulations allow them to work, study, or live in Italy for as long as they want without ever needing a visa.
The Schengen or C visa and long-term or D visa can be issued as single or multiple entry visas for work, studies, business, investment, self-employment, and family reunification purposes.
Depending on the purpose of your move to Italy from Kenya, you can get a residence permit of between 6 months and 2 years. Some documents you will need to obtain an Italian residence permit include;
- Valid Kenyan passport
- Recent passport size photos
- Entry visa
- Completed application fee
- Proof of application fee payment
- Any supporting documents for your stay, such as a work contract with an Italian company
2. Customs and Import Rules for Italy
The EU Transfer of Residence rules for Italy apply. Duty-free import of personal household effects for individuals relocating primary residence to Italy from outside the EU for 12+ consecutive months.
You will need the following documents to ship personal household effects to Italy;
- Detailed packing list (Italian and English recommended)
- Bill of Lading
- EU Transfer of Residence declaration (Trasloco)
- Passport and valid Italian residence permit or visa
- Authorization letter from local Italian Embassy for returning residents
- Import permit
- Proof of overseas residence for 12+ months
3. The Step-by-Step Moving Process
Free Home Survey and Quotation
Our surveyor will visit your home in Nairobi or conduct a virtual walkthrough to calculate the total volume in cubic feet or cubic meters. This will help determine the best shipping method: LCL or groupage consignments for small households and full container loads (FCL) for larger households.
The surveyor also checks for fragile high-value items that require specialized packing materials, access constraints for moving trucks, and generates an itemized quotation detailing freight cost, packing supplies, customs clearance, and destination port fees.
Documentation and Planning
One you approve the quotation; you will be assigned a dedicated move coordinator to handle every aspect of your move. At this stage you will put together essential official documents such as the EU Transfer of Residence Declaration (Trasloco), packing lists, and Bill of Lading instructions with the guidance of your move coordinator.
Professional Packing
Our trained packing team wraps, boxes, and crates your household goods and personal items using export-grade materials. Every single box, wrapped item, and loose piece is tagged with a numbered sticker corresponding to a comprehensive packing list detailing the contents and condition of the item.
Loading and Transportation
Your consignment will be carefully loaded onto moving trucks and transported to the port of Mombasa under close supervision by Nellions. Our licensed clearing agents will present the export manifest, a detailed packing list, and tax compliance documentation to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Finally, after securing the export release, our agents will supervise the physical loading of the container with your shipment into the vessel.
International Transit
Your shipment travels to Genoa, La Spezia, or Livorno. Sea transit to Italy takes 40-60 days while air freight takes 8-15 days. You will receive your Bill of Lading and tracking details.
Point to Note: Genoa, Napoli, Civitavecchia and Livorno are the primary ports for household goods from East Africa. Allow slightly longer for customs clearance than northern European ports. Rome, Florence and Milan are the most common destination cities.
Destination Customs Clearance
Nellions has partners in Italy that handle all import customs clearance including the EU ToR, duty assessment (if applicable), and port release. They will be coordinating directly with you on delivery timing.
Delivery to Your New Home
Following customs release, the container is transported directly to your new address in Italy. The crew unloads the items, places boxes in their designated rooms based on your instructions, reassembles standard furniture pieces, and unwraps large appliances.
Full-service packages include unpacking and furniture assembly and placement.
The Best Movers to Italy: Nellions Moving and Relocations Company
Planning and executing an international move from Kenya to Italy can be a tedious and overwhelming task. This is especially true when you’re unfamiliar with Italian customs requirements and the shipping logistics involved.
To ensure a smooth transition free from preventable mishaps, it’s advisable to hire an experienced international moving company. Nellions Moving and Relocations Company is an IAM-certified mover that provides expert packing, customs agency services, and door-to-door delivery to simplify your move.
With Nellions as your moving partner, your move from Kenya to Italy can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
Get your free moving quote today. Call us on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke
Frequently Asked Questions – Moving to Italy from Kenya
A: Sea freight from Mombasa to Genoa, La Spezia, or Livorno takes 20–30 days. Total door-to-door including packing, export customs clearance, sea transit, destination port clearance, and final delivery is typically 6–10 weeks. Air freight takes 3–5 days flight time.
A: Key documents include: a detailed packing list, Bill of Lading, EU Transfer of Residence Declaration (Trasloco), passport copy, valid Italy residence or immigration documentation, and a marine insurance certificate. Nellions prepares all documentation as part of a full-service move.
A: Yes. Nellions coordinates all destination customs clearance through our established partner network in Italy. Our destination agents handle EU Transfer of Residence Declaration (Trasloco) submission, import duty assessment, and port-to-home delivery — so you do not need to manage this yourself.
A: Yes. Nellions arranges vehicle shipping from Kenya to Italy either via RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels or in a container. A separate vehicle quotation is provided. Import duties, registration requirements, and any vehicle modifications required in Italy will be advised by our destination agent.
