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Italy Golden Visa - Residence Permit

→ EU Citizenship → ITALY INVESTOR VISA PROGRAM

Table of Contents

Why Invest in Italy?

See the reasons below to make an Investment in Italy:

  • Top Passport: Italy offers one of the world's most powerful passports. The Italian Passport is ranked 4th, in the Henley Passport Global ranking for 2026 and it allows Visa Free access to 186 Countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia.
  • Live and Work in Italy and EU: Free Travel to EU and Schengen Area Countries, Right to Work in Italy and Ability to Set Up a Business in Italy.
  • Tourism: As one of the most visited countries globally, Italy attracts over 135 million tourists annually, making it a vibrant destination for travel and business.
  • Quality of Life: Renowned for its Mediterranean lifestyle, excellent healthcare, top-tier cuisine, mild climate, and scenic landscapes from Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast.
  • Tax benefits: No progressive scale of taxation, and for all foreign income, you pay only a fixed amount of €100,000 Euros annually.
  • Industries: Italy excels in fashion (Valentino, Gucci, Prada), luxury cars (Ferrari, Lamborghini), food & wine, manufacturing, and green energy.
  • Legal Security: Part of the EU and Schengen Area, Italy offers stable legal frameworks, investor protections, and access to European courts, ensuring long-term investment security.
  • Education: Home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities, with high-quality programs in design, medicine, engineering, and arts.
  • History & Culture: With over 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Italy’s rich historical and cultural legacy creates unique investment opportunities in real estate, tourism, and restoration.
  • Investor Focused: Italy provides strategic government incentives for foreign investors, especially in sectors like technology, agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure.

Italy Residence Permit

The Investor Residence Permit for Italy is a two-year residence permit issued to holders of an Investor Visa after their arrival in Italy. It is renewable for additional three-year periods.

To obtain and keep the permit, investors must:

  • Complete the declared investment or donation within three months of entering Italy
  • Proof of execution must be uploaded to the online platform
  • If the investment involves Italian government bonds or company shares, the assets must be deposited with a financial institution domiciled in Italy. Compliance is proven by submitting the official certificate of deposit.
  • Maintain the investment for the entire validity of the permit

Applicants can apply for Permanent Residence after just 5 years of legally living in Italy and Italian CItizenship after 10 years of living in Italy.

Italy Golden Visa Advice

In 2026, contact VisaConnect's Consultants and our Italian Immigration Lawyers for Italy Golden Visa advice and to acquire Italian Permanent residence. Schedule an Apointment in our offices in Sydney, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and London, UK or arrange an Online Meeting. In addition, our Italy Consultants and qualified Lawyers can assist with:

  • Italy Golden Visa Assessment
  • Selection of Type of Investment
  • Source of Funds
  • Supporting documentation
  • Assistance with including Spouse and Dependants
  • Investor Visa application
  • Investor Residence Permit submission, in Italy
  • Payment of Government Fees
  • Renewal of Residence Permit
  • Certified translation of documents into Italian

Eligible Investments

An Investor Visa or Italy Golden Visa may be issued for one single qualifying investment only. Investments cannot be combined, and any investment made before submitting the visa application does not qualify.

1. Italian Government Bonds

Investment of €2 million in Italian Government bonds. Eligible bonds include CCT/CCTeu, CTZ, BTP, inflation-linked BTPs, and BTP Italia, with a minimum residual maturity of two years.

2. Italian Companies

Investment of €500,000 in shares or equity of Italian Limited companies incorporated and operating in Italy. The company must be active and have filed at least one balance sheet. Both listed and unlisted companies qualify.

3. Innovative Startups

Investment of €250,000 in officially registered Italian innovative startups, as defined by Italian law. The same requirements applicable to Italian companies apply.

4. Philanthropic Donation

A donation of €1 million to a philanthropic initiative supporting a public-interest project in areas such as culture, education, scientific research, immigration management, or the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

Required Documentation

The following documentation must be provided for an Italy Golden Visa application:

1. Personal contact details

  • Full name
  • Place and date of birth
  • Nationality
  • Place of Residence
  • Email address
  • Telephone number

2. Copy of a valid passport

3. Short curriculum vitae, outlining academic and professional background

4. Selection of one qualifying option:

  • Investment in Italian government bonds
  • Investment in Italian companies (including innovative startups)
  • Philanthropic donation in the fields of: Cultural and natural heritage, Education and research or Immigration management

5. Financial and legal documentation proving:

  • Ownership of the funds
  • Lawful origin and transferability of funds
  • Absence of final criminal convictions or pending charges
  • Authority of the legal representative (for legal entities)

6. Description of the investment or donation, including confirmation of acceptance by the recipient

7. Declaration of commitment, electronically signed, stating:

  • The investment amount
  • The Italian municipality where the applicant intends to reside

Application Process and Timeline

  1. 1. Document Collection - Gather all required documents (passports, translations, etc.) within 30-60 days.
  2. 2. Online Application - Submit your application through the official portal once documents are ready.
  3. 3. Nulla Osta Issuance - Receive the certificate (45-60 days) if approved, or follow up if needed.
  4. 4. Family Entry Clearance - Apply online for family visas, requiring a power of attorney and passports.
  5. 5. Visa Application - Submit requests to the Italian Consulate (7-10 working days).
  6. 6. Arrival in Italy & Permit - Book local appointment within 8 days; permit processing takes 4-12 weeks.
  7. 7. Residency Registration - Register your residence (45 days), completing the necessary paperwork for long-term stay.

Renewal of Residence Permit

The Investor Residence Permit may be renewed for additional three-year periods.

Renewal is subject to prior approval by the Investor Visa for Italy Committee, which verifies that the investment or donation has been maintained for the entire validity of the permit.

If approved, the Committee issues a Certificate of No Impediment to Renewal (Nulla Osta al Rinnovo).

Italian Citizenship

To obtain Italian Citizenship by Naturalization, you would need to live in Italy, and meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Maintain the Investment
  • Reside in Italy for 10 Years since the Investor Visa was granted
  • Fixed, stable Income and Accommodation
  • Clean Criminal Record
  • Italian Language Proficiency - B1 Level Proficiency
  • Proven integration into Italian Society

Note that Italy allows Dual Citizenship, so you can keep your original Nationality and Passport.

VisaConnect London, UK - Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our London, UK office below:

71-75 Shelton Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9JQ
United Kingdom

Telephone: (+44) 20 3807 8879        

VisaConnect Hong Kong Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Hong Kong office below:

21st Floor, CMA Building
64 Connaught Road Central
HONG KONG

Telephone: (+852) 3840 9107

VisaConnect Singapore Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Singapore office below:

7 Temasek Boulevard
No. 12-07 Suntec Tower One,
SINGAPORE, 038987

Telephone: (+65) 3105 1536

VisaConnect Australia Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our Sydney, Australia office below:

Suite 19, 103 George Street
Parramatta
NSW 2150
AUSTRALIA

Telephone: (+61) 2 9151 7350

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

What is the minimal Investment needed to get the Italy Investor Visa?

The minimal investment is €250,000 in Italian innovative startups.

Can an EU Citizen apply for the Italy Golden Visa?

No. to be eligible, the Applicant must not be a National of the EU or the Schengen Area countries.

What is the Minimal Maturity period for Italian Government Bonds?

Minimum of 2 years.

What is the main Requirement of a Philanthropic Donation?

Donation must be in the Public Interest. For example, in the fields of culture, education or scientific research.

How do you prove Ownership of Financial resources (Funds)?

If Funds are deposited in a Bank, then must provide Sacvings Account Bank Statements.

Does an Applicant need to provide a Police certificate?

Yes. The applicant must submit one or more Certificates of non-existence of final criminal convictions and pending charges, issued by the countries where the Applicant has resided for more than twelve consecutive months during the last 10 years.

Does the Secretariat of The Committee check the Application documents?

Yes. the Secretariat of the Committee checks that the documents are complete and compliant.

What is the Certificate that is issued by the Committee if the evaluation is Positive?

In the event that the evaluation of the Committee is positive, its Chairman signs electronically a Certificate of no impediment ("nulla osta") to the issue of an investor visa.