Italy Investor Visa

The Italy Residence by Investment Programme offers many benefits, including:

• The right to live, work, and undertake business in Italy.
• Residence valid for an initial two years, renewable for consecutive three-year periods.
• Ability to apply for an EU permanent residence permit after five years of residence.
• Ability to apply for citizenship after 10 years of physical residence in Italy.
• Ability to include family members in an application.

• Non-EU national 
• Possess sufficient funds to make the investment 
• Travel requirement to apply for the Investor Visa Residence Permit 
• No physical residence requirement 
• No interview requirement 
• No language requirement for residence 

Residence by Investment in Italy is available through one of four options:

1. Government Bonds: Applicants can invest €2 million in Italian government bonds.

2. Limited Company: Applicants can invest €500,000 in a limited company that is incorporated and operating in Italy.

4. Innovative Start-Up: Applicants can invest €250,000 in an Italian innovative start-up company.
5. Philanthropic Initiative: Applicants can invest €1 million in a philanthropic initiative.

The following basic fees apply:

• Investor Visa Residence Permit Fee

Combination investments are not allowed, but the applicant can either pay from an individual bank account or from a company account.

Italy’s Residence by Investment application process consists of six steps:

• Step 1: Apply online for a ‘Nulla Osta’ (a certificate of ‘no impediment’) with the Investor Visa for Italy (IV4I) Committee, which has 30 days to process the request.
• Step 2: Within six months of receiving the Nulla Osta, apply for an Investor Visa at the local Italian Consulate or Embassy.
• Step 3: Enter Italy with the Investor Visa within two years of receiving the Investor Visa, and, within eight days of entry, apply to the local police for the Investor Visa Residence Permit.
• Step 4: Wait for the residence permit, which will only be issued if the investor can show that the investment requirements were met within three months of his or her entry into Italy, and which lasts for two years.
• Step 5: Apply to the IV4I Committee to receive a new Nulla Osta and renew the residence permit for a further three years.
• Step 6: After five years of residence, the investor can apply for a renewal of the investor residence permit for a further three years or apply for an EU permanent residence permit.

Who is eligible to apply?

Investors wishing to apply for Italy’s Investor Visa must be non-EU nationals and must possess sufficient funds to make the investment.

Which family members can I include in my application?

The following family members are eligible to join the investor:

• Spouse aged 18 or over
• Minor children of the main applicant or of the spouse who are unmarried
• Adult children aged over 18, if they are unable to provide for their essential needs due to health conditions implying total disability
• Dependent parents if they do not have any other children in the country of origin
• Parents over 65 years of age, if the other children are unable to support them due to serious health conditions

Is there a physical presence requirement?

No physical presence is required of the investor. This is one of the advantages of Italy’s Investor Visa.

How long does the application take to process?

From submission of an application for an Investor Visa, the application can take between three to four months to process. The investment must be made within three months of entering Italy after receipt of the Investor Visa in order for the Investor Visa Residence Permit to be issued.

What is the duration of the residence permit?

The residence permit lasts for an initial two years. To renew the permit for a further three years, the investor must apply to the Investor Visa for Italy Committee to receive a new Nulla Osta. After five years of residence, the investor can either renew the residence permit for a further three years or apply for an EU permanent residence permit.

Are citizens from certain countries barred from applying?

Not all foreign investors can apply for Italy’s Investor Visa. The country limits uptake to non-EU citizens. However, there are no other limitations in place.

Is this programme for me?

The following persons may be a good fit for the programme:

• Businesspersons and entrepreneurs seeking to locate their business interests in Italy.
• Individuals seeking to invest in one of the world’s biggest economies and markets.
• Extended families seeking to obtain an EU permanent residence permit.