Unlocking Puglia for International Residents
From Personal Stories to Community Impact
When the three of us met, we weren’t dreaming of becoming relocation project managers. But we grew tired of seeing our international friends getting screwed over – and decided something had to be done.
Who We Are
Each of us, at different moments and through different lenses, saw something meaningful in this region. Elisa, from Northern Italy, chose Puglia after years in London; Claudia, born here, spent over a decade across Europe and South America before returning; Annalisa, deeply connected to the territory, chose to stay and build her international space right here.
We each started initiatives to connect expats, digital nomads, and locals: language exchanges, networking drinks, dinners, coworking events.
The Lightbulb Moment
In these gatherings, the same story kept surfacing: people arrived excited, then Italian bureaucracy hit or some contractors treated them as ATMs.
The worst part? Many issues would’ve been avoidable if someone had just checked.
So we started wondering: why was honest, basic help so hard to find?
That’s how Unlock Puglia started.
What We Do
We support foreigners relocating permanently or seeking a real base here, and we work with local professionals who want to serve international clients properly.
The Surprise
While summer tourism gets all the attention, the year-round international community has quietly grown. Our WhatsApp group, “Puglia International,” now counts over 1300 members.
Locals are often surprised by the international energy in their backyard, and Apulians who left (but dream of returning) are paying attention.
Why Now
Foreigners leave comfortable lives abroad to settle in Puglia, bringing skills, networks, and fresh thinking that benefit the region.
They’re not tourists. They buy and renovate homes, start businesses, and learn the culture. They’re here in February, not just August.
With Unlock Puglia, we want to help those who choose to be part of this region—not just pass through—and support them in building a life here.
In the coming months, we will share stories from the international community in Puglia here on ITS Journal / Nomag - stay tuned!
The Unlock Puglia Team
Elisa Pogliano, Claudia Sviluppo & Annalisa Galetta are the minds behind Unlock Puglia - the relocation project management service which helps people who want to relocate to Puglia from abroad, or establish a base there.
Useful Links
Unlock Puglia - Instagram Page
Puglia International WhatsApp Community
We can't wait to share stories from our community on NOMAG!