465 Abruzzo is one of the 5 southern Italian regions that make up the ‘Mezzogiorno’ and actively encourages foreign retirees to become a resident and pay just 7% tax for up to 9 years. This tax break is in return for helping repopulate and revitalise its fragile, rural villages, small towns and cities and help counter what could be regarded as a circle of decline in its precious mountainous and national park areas: in 2020 just 60/305 municipalities had the same or more residents than the previous year. From 2022, municipalities in Lazio, Umbria and Le March affected by the earthquakes in 2009, 2016-2017 are also included on the eligible ‘list’. Estimated Decrease of Abruzzo’s Population Eligibility of the 7% Flat Tax Rate To be eligible for this flat rate tax of 7% in Abruzzo, you as a ‘new’ resident must settle in an Abruzzese municipality that has a population of less than 20,000 and can’t have lived in Italy for 5 years before. You would need to pay your tax in one full payment each year, personal deductions, and for example, restoration projects could not be used for further discounts. Check your country has a tax agreement with Italy that is another pre-requisite! Jump to the list! Abruzzo’s Vital Statistics Italy’s national static board Istat recorded on 1st January 2023, Abruzzo’s population totalled 1,269,860 residents, a drop of 6,090 residents compared to 2022. The decline is less than that recorded between 2020 and 2021 which saw 12,929 residents leave. This is an average of -4.8 per thousand inhabitants compared to Italy’s general rate of -3. This departure rate is split across the provinces as -6.2% in L’Aquila, -4.1 in Teramo, -4.2 in Pescara and lastly in Chieti -4.7 per thousand inhabitants. The number of its foreign residents remains stable at 81,000, a rise of +3.6 compared to the national average of +3.9. The average age of citizens is 47.2 years (46.4 in Italy). 62.8% of the population is aged between 15 and 64, whilst 25.3% are over 65 and 11.9% are between 0 and 14 years old, just below the Italian average of 13%. Abruzzo was recently placed 186 out of the 234 regions that make up the EU. The ‘Index’ measures, with a rich set of indicators, the ability of a region to offer an attractive environment for firms and residents to live and work. Naturally, there are different strokes for different folks and needs vary dramatically at different stages of one’s life. For those who are entering their ‘elderhood’, an excellent health indicator is likely most welcome. See the full breakdown by each region. Abruzzese Municipality Eligible for Italy’s 7% Flat Tax Rate for Foreign Retirees with 5,000 + Residents Province Code: TE=Teramo, CH=Chieti, PE=Pescara, AQ=L’Aquila Comune Population Residents Altitude Metres Above Sea Level CH San Salvo 19,688 100 PE Spoltore 19,012 185 TE Martinsicuro 16,270 2 TE Silvi 15,361 2 PE Città Sant’Angelo 14,795 317 TE Pineto 14,571 4 CH San Giovanni Teatino 14,331 15 TE Alba Adriatica 12,760 5 TE Tortoreto 11,788 239 PE Penne 11,165 438 PE Cepagatti 10,946 145 CH Atessa 10,338 433 AQ Celano 10,186 800 TE Atri 9,996 444 TE Sant’Egidio alla V. 9,751 237 TE Mosciano Sant’Angelo 9,072 227 PE Pianella 8,472 236 CH Guardiagrele 8,420 576 TE Montorio al Vomano 7,397 263 TE Castellalto 7,295 481 PE Loreto Aprutino 7,140 294 AQ Pratola Peligna 7,039 342 TE Bellante 6,849 354 PE Manoppello 6,751 257 AQ Castel di Sangro 6,564 793 TE Campli 6,560 393 AQ Tagliacozzo 6.436 740 TE Notaresco 6,337 267 CH Fossacesia 6,280 140 PE Collecorvino 5,933 253 AQ Luco dei Marsi 5,912 680 AQ Trasacco 5,808 685 CH Casalbordino 5,791 203 TE Nereto 5.294 163 CH San Vito Chietino 5,162 122 CH Casoli 5,154 378 TE Sant’Omero 5,079 209 Foothills and Mountains… Abruzzese Municipality Eligible for Italy’s 7% Flat Tax Rate for Foreign Retirees with Less than 5,000 Residents For those particularly interested and considering living in the beautiful foothills and mountainous areas of Abruzzo, the figures below showing the variation in population between 2016-2021 is a useful guide in illustrating how progressive these towns and villages councils were in ensuring their municipality remained attractive places to call home to existing, and new local and foreign families. Author: Sam Dunham Sam is a very lucky midlife Mum to A who is 13 and juggles working as a freelance SEO copywriter with teaching IGCSEs at Istituto Cristo Re in Rome. She is the founder of the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, co-founder of Let's Blog Abruzzo and the 'English in the Woods' initiative. Protecting Abruzzo’s Charm,Empowering Generations to Come:Grow Life in Abruzzo! Support our not-for-profit cultural association: Donate now FREE NEWSLETTER Leave this field empty if you're human: