Lifestyle Planning in Italy: Wellness, Spas, and Retreats for High-Net-Worth Expats

When most people think of relocating to Italy, their mind immediately goes to tax incentives, real estate, and logistics. But for high-net-worth individuals planning a meaningful life transition—not just a change of address—there’s another dimension that deserves just as much attention: lifestyle.

Moving to Italy is more than a strategic decision. It’s often a statement of intent: to slow down, to reconnect, to live better. In that sense, wellness becomes a core part of the relocation plan. And for many HNWIs, Italy offers a rare combination: centuries-old traditions of health and balance, set against a backdrop of modern luxury, cutting-edge longevity clinics, and world-class retreats.

Unlike some countries where wellness is an afterthought, in Italy it’s deeply woven into everyday life. From the design of homes to how people eat, rest and socialize, the Italian rhythm invites you to take care of yourself. And for those looking for something more structured or advanced, Italy delivers—with style.

Wellness as a Foundation for Relocation

Whether you’re retiring early, taking a sabbatical from city life, or simply changing your tax residency, wellness often becomes the unspoken goal behind the financial strategy. After years of building a business or managing investments, the move to Italy is frequently about something more personal: physical health, mental clarity, and lifestyle balance.

Italy makes that transition easier. In places like Tuscany, Umbria, Lake Garda, or the Dolomites, entire ecosystems have developed around holistic living. These are not sterile clinical environments, but immersive destinations where nature, food, movement, and culture combine to support well-being.

For expats relocating under the flat tax regime, this matters. Many of them are still active professionally, but they’re also rethinking priorities. They want access to luxury—not just in terms of material things, but in terms of time, peace, privacy, and vitality.

Longevity Clinics and Medical Spas

Italy has emerged as a leading destination for integrative health and preventive medicine, attracting international clients looking for cutting-edge care in an exclusive setting.

Clinics like Palace Merano, Buchinger Wilhelmi, and Villa Eden Leading Health Retreat have gained reputations for combining medical diagnostics with lifestyle coaching, personalized nutrition, and detox protocols. These retreats offer full-body assessments, genetic and epigenetic testing, stress management, and anti-aging therapies—often under the supervision of multilingual medical teams.

But these are not purely medical stays. They’re also about rest, design, and beauty. A stay at one of these places is closer to a curated health journey than a hospital visit. You emerge not just restored, but reoriented.

Some programs last a few days, others several weeks. Many clients return annually, building these retreats into their long-term routine—almost like a health-focused version of the private banker relationship.

Thermal Towns and Historic Spa Culture

Italy's wellness tradition goes far beyond the modern clinic. Since Roman times, the country has been known for its thermal baths and healing waters—a culture that continues to thrive in dozens of spa towns across the peninsula.

Places like Saturnia, Montecatini Terme, Abano Terme, and Bagni di Bormio are not just scenic; they’re embedded in the history of European wellness. Some have hosted royalty and artists for centuries. Today, they blend classic architecture with luxury spa treatments, organic cuisine, and a more relaxed, analog experience of well-being.

For expats settling in Italy, these towns often become weekend escapes—easily reachable by car or train, and ideal for unplugging from daily pressures.

And unlike in other countries, spa visits in Italy can be part of medical prescriptions. If you register with the Italian public healthcare system (SSN), some treatments—especially for respiratory or dermatological conditions—can be reimbursed.

Daily Wellness: From Farm to Table

It would be a mistake to think of wellness in Italy only as a luxury experience. The real magic lies in the everyday rituals. The quality of local produce. The rhythm of family meals. The simplicity of walking through a town square instead of commuting for hours. The sense of community that builds around shared rituals—morning coffee, outdoor markets, Sunday lunches.

For expat families relocating from high-pressure environments, this lifestyle shift is often one of the most transformative aspects of the move. Children adapt quickly. Parents rediscover time. Sleep improves. And without needing to adopt a wellness “program,” many simply begin to feel better—physically and emotionally.

Some HNWIs complement this with private chefs, personal trainers, or yoga instructors who visit their homes weekly. Others buy property in regions where wellness is already part of the local culture—Tuscany, Alto Adige, or Lake Como—and build their lives around that rhythm.

Designing a Relocation Around Well-Being

At Knotted, we’ve seen a shift: more and more of our clients ask not just about tax optimization or real estate, but about life design. Where can I live well? Where will I sleep better? What school will allow my kids to grow with emotional security? Where will I have the space to slow down and reimagine my second act?

In Italy, these questions are not theoretical. They are deeply connected to the territory, to the homes you choose, to the people you meet, to the food you eat and to the way you move through your day.

For wealthy individuals planning a relocation, building a wellness-oriented lifestyle in Italy is not an indulgence. It’s a strategic investment in your future health, performance, and happiness.

✉️ Want to make wellness part of your move to Italy?

We can help you find the right home, the right region, and the right partners—from medical retreats to private chefs.

📩 Contact us at info@knotted.ch

📱 Or message us on WhatsApp: +41 76 771 30 22