Navya's Tastes & Tales

  What is the Carta d’Identità? The Carta d’Identità is the official Italian identity card, used as proof of identity and residence. It’s available in two formats: Electronic (CIE) – plastic card with chip, valid for travel in EU and Schengen countries . Paper – only issued in rare emergency cases. Where to Apply You can apply at the Ufficio Anagrafe of your local Comune (municipal office) where you are registered as a resident. Documents Required Bring the following: Valid passport or previous Carta d’Identità (if renewing) Codice Fiscale Residence certificate (residenza) – your name should be in the Anagrafe records Permesso di soggiorno (if non-EU citizen) Recent passport-size photo (biometric standard – white background, 35×40 mm) Payment receipt (around €16.79 + €5–€10 for Comune fees) Application Process Book an Appointment   : Many Comune require booking via their website or the official Prenotazioni CIE portal.  Tip: Call yo...

  If you're moving to Italy or have just found a new home here, one of the most important legal steps is registering your residenza (residency) at your local Comune. Without residenza, you won’t be able to apply for important documents like the Carta d’Identità , Tessera Sanitaria , or even get access to many public services. In this post, I’ll walk you through the process clearly and simply – based on my own experience. What is Residenza? Residenza  means your official place of residence in Italy. Once you register at your Comune’s Anagrafe office , you are added to the city’s population registry ( Anagrafe comunale ). Why You Need to Register Residenza Registering your residenza officially records where you live in Italy. Once you’re registered, you can: Apply for Carta d’Identità (Italian ID card) Get Tessera Sanitaria (Health card) Choose a family doctor Enroll your children in school Open bank accounts , sign up for utilities, and more Where to Re...

  If you're living in Italy and want to access public healthcare (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) , you must register with the health system. For many people, this requires paying something called the Tassa Sanitaria .  What is Tassa Sanitaria? Tassa Sanitaria is a yearly health contribution tax for foreigners living in Italy who are not automatically covered under the Italian health system (SSN). Once you pay it, you can register at your local health office (ASL) and get your Tessera Sanitaria (health card) . Who Needs to Pay Tassa Sanitaria? You need to pay if you belong to one of these categories: 1. Students If you’re in Italy for studying (with permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio ), you must pay Tassa Sanitaria each year to access the public health system.  The fee is usually €150–€200/year .( Note : Traditionally, the student Tassa Sanitaria was about €150-€200 per year .However, recent updates (2024–2025) show that some regions like Lazio (which inc...

  What Is Codice Fiscale? The Codice Fiscale is your unique Italian personal tax identification number. Think of it as Italy’s equivalent of: PAN in India Social Security Number (SSN) in the USA It’s a 16-character alphanumeric code based on your name, birth date, gender, and birthplace. Why Is It Important? You need a Codice Fiscale for many official and everyday activities in Italy, such as: Renting a house Opening a bank account Signing contracts Getting a SIM card Applying for public services or permits Without it, many legal and financial processes are impossible. Who Needs a Codice Fiscale? Anyone moving to Italy for work, study, or family reasons Long-term visitors staying more than 3 months People planning to access healthcare, banking, or sign rental contracts Dependents joining family members in Italy must also apply promptly Important Note: Apply Immediately After Arrival You must apply for your Codice Fiscale immediatel...

 Life abroad can feel overwhelming at times new people, new routines, new languages. But over time, I’ve learned to appreciate the little joys that make each day feel warmer, calmer, and more meaningful. Here are a few simple things that always brighten my day: 🌸 A quiet morning with a cup of coffee or chai ☀️ Sunshine after a cloudy week 💬 A kind message from a friend 🍝 Cooking my favorite Indian dish in my Roman kitchen 🎧 Listening to peaceful music while walking through the streets of Rome 🕯️ Lighting a candle and journaling in the evening 💡 Writing a new blog post — like this one! These may seem small, but they carry light, especially when life feels a little heavy. I believe we all have these “tiny treasures” in our day — we just need to notice them. What small joys do you hold on to? With love, Navya

My Life as an Expat and Indian Hello and welcome to my little corner of the internet! 🇮🇳✨🇮🇹 I’m Navya — born and raised in Andhra Pradesh, India, and now living in the beautiful city of Rome, Italy. This blog is my way of sharing my experiences as an expat Indian woman navigating life, flavors, emotions, and everything in between. Living Abroad as an Indian Moving to a different country is exciting, but also overwhelming. From language barriers to cultural surprises, every day is a learning experience. Simple things like grocery shopping, using public transport, or even saying “hello” feel new. At times, I miss the comfort of home  the sounds, smells, the warmth of family. But I also find joy in discovering how strong and adaptable I’ve become. Keeping My Roots Alive One of the ways I stay connected to India is through food. Cooking traditional recipes in a Roman kitchen is both a comfort and a challenge. Spices become memories. A simple dal or chai feels like a hug from hom...