Risks and opportunities. Like almost all economic-social phenomena, the lengthening of average life expectancy in many countries of the world presents critical aspects, starting from the pension and health resources necessary to guarantee a dignified existence to those who have finished their working life but have a long old age ahead of them, and positive aspects, ranging from the prospect of greater longevity for individuals to the opportunity to create new markets, for which the definition of « silver economy » has already been coined. A concept of great topicality especially for Italy which, on the one hand, certainly boasts a very « old » population, while on the other has all the characteristics to become the coveted destination for third age foreigners looking for places suitable for their needs.