ITALY
Residency by Investment
Program Type
Residency by Investment
Investment Type
Equity, government bonds
Minimum investment
€250,000
Processing time
3-6 months
Visa-free travel
Schengen Area
Overview
Italy’s Investor Visa offers non-EU nationals a residence permit in return for a qualifying investment in the Italian economy. The programme is established under Article 26-bis of the Consolidated Immigration Act and administered by the Investor Visa for Italy Committee through the official government portal.
The first permit is issued for two years and renewed for three-year periods while the investment is maintained. The application is reviewed before any capital is transferred. Once the Committee issues its clearance — the Nulla Osta — the investor applies for a national visa, enters Italy, and completes the investment within three months of arrival.
The permit covers the main applicant and may be extended to the spouse, partner, and dependent children. Holders travel throughout the Schengen Area and may live, work and study in Italy. Permanent residence may be requested after five years. Italian citizenship may be requested after ten years of legal residence.
Country
Capital
Rome
Language
Italian
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Permit
Permesso di soggiorno per investitori
Population
58.9 million
Government type
Parliamentary republic
Why choose Italy?
- A published European residence programme with a government committee and a public application portal.
- Investment completed after official clearance.
- No minimum stay to maintain the residence permit.
- Four investment routes, from €250,000.
- Family members included without a higher investment threshold.
- Access to Italian healthcare, schools and universities.
- A path to long-term residence and citizenship.
- An optional flat-tax regime on foreign income for those who settle in Italy.
Milan is the business centre. Rome is the capital. The north holds the country’s industry and universities; the lakes, Tuscany and the coast are the usual choice for a second home.
ITALY
Residency by Investment
Benefits
- Italian residence for the investor and qualifying family members.
- Travel across the Schengen Area.
- The right to live, work and study in Italy.
- No minimum number of days in Italy to renew the permit.
- No Italian-language requirement for the Investor Visa.
- Renewal for as long as the qualifying investment is held.
- Long-term EU residence after five years.
- Italian citizenship after ten years of legal residence.
- Enrolment in the national health service after residence is registered.
- Optional substitute tax of €300,000 a year on foreign-source income for new tax residents, plus €50,000 for each family member, for up to fifteen years.
Qualifications
- Non-EU citizenship.
- Minimum age of 18.
- A valid passport.
- A clean criminal record.
- Evidence that the investment funds are owned by the applicant, can be transferred to Italy, and come from a lawful source.
- A written commitment to complete the chosen investment within three months of entering Italy.
- Sufficient means to live in Italy, together with health insurance valid on Italian territory.
Family members
- Spouse or legally recognised partner.
- Children under 18.
- Dependent adult children.
- Dependent parents, where financial support can be shown.
Step by Step process
- Review of eligibility, source of funds and the preferred investment route.
- Creation of the applicant’s account on the official portal investorvisa.mise.gov.it.
- Submission of the Nulla Osta application with passport, curriculum, police certificates, proof of funds and the investment proposal.
- Committee decision, due within 30 days of a complete file.
- National visa application at the Italian consulate, within six months of the Nulla Osta.
- Entry into Italy and completion of the investment within three months.
- Application for the residence permit at the Questura within eight days of arrival.
- Collection of the electronic residence card.
Timeframe
The Committee issues its decision within 30 days of a complete application. From a prepared file to first entry, most applicants complete the process in three to six months.
The first residence permit is valid for two years. Renewals are granted for three years at a time. Applications for renewal are filed at least 60 days before expiry.
|
Committee review |
30 days |
|
Validity of the Nulla Osta |
6 months |
|
Time to complete the investment |
3 months from entry |
|
First permit |
2 years |
|
Renewal |
3 years |
|
Long-term residence |
After 5 years |
|
Citizenship |
After 10 years |
Documents
- Valid passport.
- Short curriculum of education and professional experience.
- Police certificates from countries of residence.
- Bank evidence of ownership, transferability and lawful origin of the funds.
- Description of the chosen investment or donation.
- Signed declaration of commitment to complete the investment within three months of entry.
- For family members: legalised marriage and birth certificates, passports, and proof of dependency where required.
Documents issued outside Italy are legalised and translated into Italian.
FAQs
Who can apply?
Non-EU adults with a clean record and documented funds for one of the four investment routes.
When is the investment made?
After the Nulla Osta and after arrival in Italy, within three months of entry.
Is there a minimum stay?
No minimum stay is required to keep the Investor Visa.
Which family members are included?
The spouse or recognised partner, minor children, dependent adult children, and parents where dependency is shown.
How long does the process take?
The Committee decides within 30 days. The full process to first entry is typically three to six months.
How is the permit renewed?
By showing that the original investment is still held. Renewals run for three years.
When can I apply for citizenship?
After ten years of legal residence, together with the language and integration requirements of Italian nationality law.
What is the flat-tax regime?
New tax residents may elect a substitute tax of €300,000 a year on foreign-source income, plus €50,000 for each family member, for up to fifteen years.