Updated on November 19, 2024

Italy Golden Visa

Enjoy a high level of living and travel visa-free to the Schengen states

€250,000+

Investment amount

4+ months

Obtaining period

5 years

Investment return

The Italian Golden Visa, also known as the Investor Visa for Italy, is a program that allows non-European Union citizens to obtain legal residency in Italy by making a significant investment in the country. The program was introduced in 2017 as a way to attract foreign investors and enhance the Italian visa system.

There are four investment options that vary in terms of investment sum. The cheapest one is an investment in an innovative startup — €250,000+. The most popular option, though, is an investment in a philanthropic organisation — €1,000,000+.

Residency is available to the investor’s family, including a spouse, children of any age, and parents.

Under the Golden Visa program, an investor obtains a residence permit for 2 years, and then it can be extended for three-year periods.

After 10 years of residing in Italy, the investor and their family members can apply for Italian citizenship and travel to 170+ countries visa-free.

Benefits of the Italy Golden Visa

  • 1

    Visa-free travel to the Schengen countries

    Italian residents visit the Schengen Area without a visa and spend up to 90 days out of 180 there.

  • 2

    Creating of safe haven or moving to Italy

    The Investor Visa allows its holder to enter Italy at any time, even when the country’s borders are closed for foreigners.

    Residents can stay in the country with no time limits. At the same time, they are not obliged to live in Italy if they don’t plan to obtain citizenship.

  • 3

    Special tax regime

    Foreigners become tax residents in Italy if they spend at least 183 days a year there.

    To apply for a special tax regime, new residents can pay an annual flat tax of €200,000. In this case, they are exempt from taxes on income outside Italy. They also need to pay gift and inheritance taxes on Italian assets only.

    The duration of a special tax regime is 15 years.

  • 4

    European education for children

    Children with Italian residence permits can enrol in Italian universities on the same conditions as Italian citizens. The tuition fee will be lower than for foreign students.

  • 5

    Residency for family members

    The investor can add their close family members to the application, and they will obtain a residency as well. Among the people who can participate alongside the investor are a spouse, minor children, disabled children over 18, and parents.

  • 6

    Way to obtain Italian citizenship

    Investors can apply for citizenship after residing in Italy for 10 years.

    Italian citizens can live in any EU country and travel to more than 170 countries visa-free, including the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

price

Guide to obtaining a residence permit in Italy

  • Step-by-step procedure

  • Requirements for applicants

  • Required documents

  • Answers to frequently asked questions

Requirements for applicants

  • Investor

    • Over 18

    • With sufficient capital to invest

    • Can prove the legality of the income

    • Makes a written commitment to investing in the Italian economy

    • With no criminal records or prosecutions

    • With valid health insurance

  • Spouse

    • Officially married to the investor

  • Children under 18

    • Including those of a spouse

  • Children over 18

    • No age limit

    • Not married

    • Have no children of their own

    • Financially dependent on the investor

  • Parents

    • No age limit

    • Financially dependent on the investor

Investment options for the Italy Golden Visa

Italy offers four investment options for obtaining the country’s Golden Visa. Among them are the purchase of Italian government bonds, investment in a limited company or in an innovative startup and contribution to the philanthropic initiative.

To reach the required sum of investment, you can’t combine several options. You must choose one of them.

1 option

Investments in an innovative startup — €250,000+

An investor can buy stocks or shares of one of the innovative startups which were approved by Italian authorities. At the time of application, the investor must provide a business plan.

2 option

Business investment — €500,000+

One can invest in listed or unlisted shares in a company that is incorporated and operates in Italy. The company is considered operating if it is in an active state and has already filed at least one balance sheet by the date of the investor’s application.

At the time of application, you would also need to indicate the company’s name and tax code.

Investment

€500,000+ in a company

Processing fee

€116

Issuance of a residence permit

€112 per family member

3 option

Donation to a philanthropic organisation — €1,000,000+

The investment must be made in the project of public interest operating in the field of culture, education, immigration management, scientific research, and preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

This option is one of the most popular ones among investors.

4 option

Purchase of government bonds — €2,000,000+

The purchase of government bonds is the least risky one, and it also requires the least involvement.

You can invest in CCT, CCTeu, CTZ, BTP, and BTP ITALIA. Their maturity must be at least two years.

Individual cost calculation for the Italy Golden Visa

Individual cost calculation for the Italy Golden Visa

Get an individual calculation for your family with all associated costs and government fees

Required documents for Italy Investor Visa

For an investor visa, an applicant is required to provide the following documents:

  • a passport copy;

  • a CV with applicant’s main academic and professional experience;

  • documents confirming the presence of funds for the investment;

  • a written commitment to investing in the Italian economy after obtaining the visa;

  • a description of the planned investment and proof of consent from the recipients;

  • confirmation of income over €8,500;

  • a Nulla Osta certificate.

If an investor wants to invite family members to the application, they must also provide documents proving their relationship with each dependent applicant — for example, marriage and birth certificates.

Step-by-step procedure for obtaining the Italy Golden Visa

1

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

Immigrant Invest has its own compliance department that carries out preliminary Due Diligence. It helps to indicate potential issues that might arise during the whole process and reduce the risk of rejection down to 1%.

Our preliminary Due Diligence check is mandatory. We sign an agreement with the investor only knowing the check results. If there are any risks, we offer a solution. For example, we may recommend choosing another program or attaching additional documents.

The preliminary check is completely confidential. The investor needs to provide a passport only.

Pass a quick test and learn the nuances that can prevent you from obtaining a residence permit.

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2

7+ days

Collecting the documents and applying for Nulla Osta

Nulla Osta is a certificate of absence of obstacles for obtaining an investor visa. It gives the investor the right to apply for a visa within six months. To obtain a certificate, the investor collects documents and submits them to Immigrant Invest.

Lawyers translate documents and certify copies. Then, they create an account for the investor on the program website, fill out a personal questionnaire, and upload the necessary documents.

3

30 days

Issuance of Nulla Osta

The program committee considers the investor’s application within 30 days. It may request additional documents or schedule a video interview. As soon as the Committee makes a decision, a notice of the extradition of Nulla Osta will be sent to your personal account on the website.

4

7+ days

Applying for an investor visa

Nulla Osta is valid for six months. During this period, the investor must apply for a visa at the Italian consulate in their country.

Immigrant Invest lawyers accompany the investor and help them apply for a visa.

5

10 to 120 days

Obtaining an investor visa

The consulate checks the documents of the investor and their family. The maximum period for consideration of an application is 120 days. In practice, visas are approved within 10—20 days from the date of application. The answer is sent to the investor’s email address.

6

7+ days

Visiting Italy and applying for a residence permit

The investor visa is valid for two years: during this period, you need to enter Italy and apply for a residence permit.

After entering Italy, the investor needs to:

  • personally submit documents for a residence permit to the Migration Service — Questura within eight days;

  • transfer investments or make a charitable donation, depending on the option chosen — within three months.

The investor provides Questura with a copy of the passport, two photos, and a revenue stamp. After the transfer of money, the investor uploads documents confirming the fulfilment of investment conditions, for example, a certificate of securities deposit, to the website of the Program Committee.

7

30+ days

Obtaining a residence permit card

The Migration Service of Italy examines the documents of the investor and their family. If additional questions arise, the investor has 30 days to provide the necessary documents.

8

After 2 years

Renewal of the residence permit

The residence permit has to be renewed after 2 years of holding it. The procedure is similar to the initial application: one needs to collect the same documents and submit them online, pass fingerprinting, make an application, and obtain new residence permit cards. A new residence permit is valid for 3 years.

The application for renewal must be submitted no less than 60 days before the date of expiry of the previous residence permit.

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Why you can trust Immigrant Invest

It is advisable to apply for the Italian Golden Visa through a trusted agent. This helps investors prepare all the required documents in a timely and error-free manner, avoid unnecessary stress, and save time.

Immigrant Invest’s lawyers are members of the IMC, the global association for immigration and citizenship by investment. Since 2006, our company has assisted over 5,000 individuals in obtaining residence and citizenship by investment.

Immigrant Invest also conducts preliminary Due Diligence that reduces the risk of subsequent rejection to 1%.

Evaluate your chances to get Italy residency →

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Frequently asked questions

  • Does Italy have a Golden Visa program?

    Yes, Italy has a Golden Visa program. It allows one to get a residence permit for investing in the country’s economy.

  • Can I get Italian residency or permanent residency if I buy a property in Italy?

    No, neither Italian residency nor Italian permanent residency can’t be obtained by buying a property.

    There are four options that give this opportunity:

    • an investment in an innovative startup — €250,000;

    • a business investment — €500,000+;

    • a donation to the philanthropic organisation — €1,000,000+;

    • a purchase of government bonds — €2,000,000+..

    These options open a path to obtaining an Italy residence permit.

  • How much do I need to invest in Italy to get residency?

    The minimum sum of investment that is needed to obtain residency is €250,000. It is an option with investing in an innovative startup.

  • How much does an Investment Visa in Italy cost?

    The sum of the investment for the Italy Investment Visa depends on the investment option you choose. The minimum Italy investor visa requirement is a €250,000 investment in an innovative startup. Other options are a business investment of €500,000+, a donation to a philanthropic organisation of €1,000,000+, purchase of government bonds of €2,000,000+.

  • Can a foreigner own property in Italy?

    Yes, a foreigner can buy and own property in Italy. However, purchasing real estate doesn’t automatically give a right to obtain residency in Italy.

  • Does Italy offer citizenship by investment?

    No, you can obtain Italian citizenship only if you reside in the country for at least ten years. However, it is possible to get an Italy residence permit by investment.

  • Can I move to Italy if I buy a property?

    It is not possible to obtain a residence permit in Italy and move there if you buy real estate. The Investor Visa can be given for the following investment options:

    • an investment in an innovative startup — €250,000;

    • a business investment — €500,000+;

    • a donation to the philanthropic organisation — €1,000,000+;

    • a purchase of government bonds — €2,000,000+.

    However, you can buy a property in Italy and move there under standard conditions such as work, studying, family reunification, and descent.

  • How to renew the Italy Golden Visa?

    The first residence permit issued under the Golden Visa program is valid for 2 years. After that, the investor has to renew the permit.

    The application for renewal must be submitted no less than 60 days before the date of expiry of the previous residence permit.

    The procedure is similar to the initial application: the investor collects the documents and submits them online, passes fingerprinting, makes an application, and obtains a new residence permit card. The second residence permit is valid for 3 years.

  • What is the validity period of the Italian Golden Visa?

    The first Golden Visa residence permit is valid for 2 years. After renewal, the investor gets a 3-year residency card.

  • Can you obtain Italian citizenship after a residence permit?

    Yes, foreigners can obtain citizenship in Italy by naturalisation after 10 years of legal residence in the country.

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Zlata Erlach

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