Stef Smulders

Helping people buy, move to, and truly understand Italy.

Stef Smulders is an award-winning author, Italy expert, and former Dutch expatriate who has lived in Italy since 2008. After selling his home in the Netherlands, he and his husband moved to the Italian countryside to buy, renovate, and run a bed & breakfast in the beautiful Oltrepò Pavese wine region, south of Milan. The experience gave him first-hand knowledge of every stage of relocating to Italy—from buying property and dealing with Italian bureaucracy to integrating into everyday Italian life.

Drawing on nearly two decades of personal experience, Stef has become a trusted guide for thousands of readers dreaming of a home or a new life in Italy. His practical handbook Buying a House in Italy helps international buyers avoid costly mistakes and confidently navigate the Italian property market, legal system, taxes, residency, and relocation process.

His bestselling memoir Moving to Italy: A Relocation Rollercoaster tells the often hilarious true story of leaving everything behind to start a new life under the Italian sun. Praised for its humor, authenticity, and honest portrayal of Italian culture, the book has received multiple international literary awards and has been warmly reviewed by both readers and critics.

Stef has also written numerous books about the Italian language, gastronomy, wine, culture, and everyday life, making Italy more accessible to travelers, home buyers, food lovers, and future expats alike. Whether explaining regional dishes, decoding Italian expressions, or sharing the unwritten rules of daily life, his books combine practical knowledge with entertaining storytelling.

When he is not writing, Stef continues to explore Italy's villages, vineyards, traditions, and cuisine, gathering new stories and insights to help others discover the real Italy—far beyond the tourist brochures.