Relocation Assistance

Your Military and Family Support Center provides relocation assistance to help make PCS moves as smooth as possible. Resources include:

• PCS planning: Most relocation assistance programs offer consultations to help you with the moving process. If this your first military move, your first time moving overseas or you have challenging or complex circumstances contact your installation Relocation Assistance Program as soon as possible for support.
• Plan My Move: An online Defense Department relocation tool that provides you with customizable checklists and links to helpful resources for the tasks ahead.
• Military OneSource: A website and call center that offer 24/7 support for moving information and resources. Learn more about PCS basics and download this fact sheet 7 Steps to Make Your Household Goods Move a Smart Move. For comprehensive moving resources and information, including Defense Personal Property log in details, visit Moving Your Personal Property.
• Workshops and briefings: Workshops vary by location. You may find classes on housing options, moving with children, moving with pets and more.
• Predeparture briefings: These sessions provide essential information about your move and may be required for some populations.
• Special needs: If you have a child or family member enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, contact your installation EFMP-Family Support office to assist you.
• Settling-in services: Look for welcome programs or local area tours that may offered. Overseas services may include introductory language classes and cultural awareness activities.
• Foreign-born spouse support: Assistance includes information and referral to resources such as immigration and naturalization.
• Emergency assistance: Sometime emergencies occur while moving. The Military and Family Support Center has the resources to provide emergency financial assistance, as well as information and referrals.
• Authorized housing flexibility options: Eligible service members with PCS orders may be entitled to flexibilities such as extended stays in government housing and early housing eligibility. Contact your military personnel office for more information.
• Spouse licensure reimbursement: Your service branch may reimburse spouses up to $1,000 for relicensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves. See this Military OneSource article Transferring Your Professional License for more information and specific service branch policies.

Military personnel, Department of Defense civilians and their dependents making a permanent change of station in or out of Aviano Air Base, are authorized to use the La Dolce Vita Dining Facility for all meals. These patrons may have to provide a copy of their PCS orders.

The first days and weeks at Aviano Air Base are very task-oriented, and following the procedures will help you get settled more quickly.  Attending the Newcomers Orientation (called Wyvern Welcome) is the best place to start.  Here you will have over 28 base agencies come and brief you on what you need to accomplish to get yourself/family settled here.

Relocation services that are available at or through the Military and Family Readiness Center include:

• Pre-Arrival Class-- This class is for anyone who has been assigned to PCS to AB Aviano.  Learn about resources, financial expections, visas/passports, house-hunting and more BEFORE you leave your current assignment.  This class is offered bi-monthly, virtually.
• Discovery Resource Center-- The center offers free access to computers, internet, copier, fax phones and Wi-Fi.
• Base Newcomers Orientation (Wyvern Welcome) -- Your first week will consist of orientation, in-processing and house-hunting. Orientation is every Wednesday and Thursday starting at 7:30 a.m. There is also an optional Benvenuti (Welcome) local area bus tour on Fridays.  This tour includes wine tasting at a vineyard, shopping at a local outdoor market, eating a traditional Italian meal at a restaurant and learning cultural tips. Spouses are highly encouraged to attend the orientation and the bus tour (children are welcome on the tour as well). 
• Cultural adaptation -- In addition to the weekly Benvenuti Tours, there is a Basic Italian Language class.  This class is offered monthly and teaches not only the Italian language but culture, as well, to help you immerse yourself in the wonderful Italian experience.  Monthly there are various cultural adaptation classes to include pizza making, balsamic vinegar tasting, thrifty shopping, grape harvest and more.
• Telephone calls -- Making a call to or from Aviano can be confusing. The chart below will be useful prior to your arrival and once you settle in.
  -- Off-base to the U.S.: 001 + area code + number
  -- On-base to the U.S.: Requires a control number and operator assistance; see your duty section
  -- On-base to a U.S. toll-free number: Dial 8XX-XXX-XXXX
  -- U.S to Aviano: 011-39-0434-30 + number
  -- Local area to Aviano: 0434-30 + XXXX (last 4 digits)
  -- On-base to other on-base locations: 632-XXXX (last 4 digits)
  -- Aviano base to local area: 99 + number (10 digits)

Aviano Motor Vehicle Registration Office (previously known as Pass and Registration)

A non-command-sponsored individual may not have an AFI driver's license and may not drive an AFI-plated vehicle.

Passport/Visa/Soggiorno Information

It is absolutely essential that each active-duty military family member as well as Department of Defense civilians and their command-sponsored family members obtain a no-fee passport and Italian "Missione" visa prior to leaving your current assignment. Contact your losing Military Personnel Section, Customer Service or Installation Passport Agent immediately upon notification of assignment to begin the processing and receipt of the necessary travel documents for family members prior to arrival in Italy.

• Start this process as early as possible, as it can take 8-16 weeks or more to receive your documents. Do NOT travel to Italy without the proper documents and DO NOT ARRIVE PRIOR to the Visa start date.
• Military dependents and civilian employees and their dependents who arrive without the required visa documents will be forced to return to the U.S. to obtain the Italian Mission visa. Costs for extra travel must be paid by the member and are not reimbursable. Once in-country, everyone except active-duty military members is required to obtain a Soggiorno, which authorizes the holder to stay in-country beyond 90 days. This is essential. Begin the process during in-processing, then follow-up at the Soggiorno Office, Area F, Building 1413.