Aviano Air Base

Moving to Aviano Air Base

Aviano is an Italian Air Force airfield in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region that hosts the U.S. Air Force's 31st Fighter Wing and its F-16 squadrons, along with rescue units. It sits at the foot of the Alps in northeastern Italy, so mountains, wine country and the Adriatic coast are all within easy reach. Most families rent homes in surrounding Italian towns, so settling in involves lease reviews, utilities and a good bit of Italian bureaucracy.

Official installation website

Where families live

Schools

DoDEA runs two schools on the installation: Aviano Elementary (Pre-K to 5) and Aviano Middle High School (6 to 12). Enrollment is accepted year-round through DoDEA registration. Local Italian schools are instructed entirely in Italian and generally require a local address, and homeschooling is permitted for eligible SOFA-sponsored families.

• DoDEA Europe - Aviano Elementary School — Pre-K through grade 5, on base.
• DoDEA registration — Year-round enrollment portal for all DoDEA schools.

On the installation: Aviano Elementary School, Aviano Middle High School

Aviano School Liaison Office, part of the 31st Force Support Squadron (see 31fss.com/school-liaison)

Things to do near Aviano Air Base

• Dolomites day tripsoutdoors
  Hiking, skiing and mountain scenery are about a two-hour drive north of the base.
• Veniceday-trip
  A regional train or drive gets you to the lagoon city for a long day of canals and museums.
• Piancavallooutdoors
  The closest ski area to Aviano, with winter skiing and summer mountain trails.
• Lake Barcis and Friulian Dolomitesoutdoors
  A turquoise mountain lake and gorges popular for kayaking and walks.
• Triesteday-trip
  A port city on the Adriatic with grand squares, cafes and seaside promenades.
• Lignano Sabbiadoro beachesfamily
  A long sandy beach resort that locals and base families favor in summer.
• Prosecco wine countryfood
  Vineyard villages to the west offer tastings and regional food.
• Pordenone old townfood
  Pedestrian streets and cafes for easy weekend dinners and shopping.

Realtors & local services

Real estate offices

• 31st Fighter Wing Military Housing OfficeAviano
  Official off-base housing referral office; reviews leases, helps with translation, and advises against signing before the office approves the lease.
• Homes.milAviano region
  DoD-run rental listing site where inspected rentals can be filtered by size, distance and price.

Listings come from public sources and are not endorsed or vetted. Own a business that serves families at Aviano Air Base? Claim or add a listing.

Local programs & support

• Aviano Military and Family Support Center
  Offers relocation assistance, financial help, employment help and new parent support for arriving families.

PCS tips for Aviano Air Base

• Check in with the Military Housing Office within two days of arrival and do not sign a lease until the office has reviewed it.
• Italian homes often lack closets and standard electrical supply is about 3.3 kW (upgradable), so plan for storage, dual-voltage appliances and loaner transformers from the furnishings office.
• Some Italian agencies charge finder's fees that are not reimbursable, so ask about fees before engaging an agent.
• Under SOFA rules dependents generally cannot work on the Italian economy; apply early for on-base jobs and look at remote work for U.S. employers.
• Plan ahead for pets: expect microchip, rabies and Italian/EU health paperwork, and confirm current requirements with the base veterinary clinic before you travel.

Benefits to use on this move

• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
  Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
  Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
• Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)
  Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
• VA Home Loan Guaranty
  Service members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
• Pet Transportation Reimbursement
  Families moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
• Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
  School-age children of active duty families changing schools
• School Liaison Program
  Parents choosing schools and transferring records

See every program and benefit

Other installations in the Europe & Türkiye

• Ramstein Air Base & Kaiserslautern Military CommunityKaiserslautern, Germany
• Spangdahlem Air BaseBitburg, Germany
• USAG StuttgartStuttgart, Germany
• USAG WiesbadenWiesbaden, Germany
• USAG Bavaria (Grafenwoehr, Vilseck, Hohenfels)Grafenwoehr, Germany
• USAG AnsbachAnsbach, Germany