Italy Golden Visa guide: new rules on how to get residency and citizenship in 2026

The meaning of the Italy Golden Visa programme is to obtain a residence permit in the country. It is the fastest way for wealthy people to become legal residents of Italy. A residence permit comes with guaranteed legal rights, including the right to live, work, study, and receive medical care in the country.

The Italian Golden Visa is not the kind that is affixed to a passport. Investors receive it as a separate document: a residence card. An Italian residence permit by investment is initially valid for 2 years. The status can then be renewed for 3 years, provided that the minimum investment is kept. After 5 years of living in the country, the investor can apply for permanent residency in Italy.

Another name for the Italy Golden Visa is Italy Investor Visa. The obtainment rules are set in the “Entry and Residence for Investors” article of the Consolidated Act on Immigration [1].

Italy residence by investment combines mobility in Europe with long-term settlement options in one of the most attractive countries to live and do business. Residence permit allows travel within the Schengen Area, relocation with family, access to local services, and a route to permanent residence and citizenship.

1. Visa-free travel to the EU and Schengen Area

Investors and their family members with residence permits in Italy may visit the Schengen countries without a visa and stay there up to 90 days out of 180 days. The Schengen Area currently includes 29 EU Member States and 4 non-EU countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

2. EU citizenship in 10 years

The Italy Investment Visa is the first step toward EU citizenship since Italy is part of the union. Italian citizenship can be obtained after 10 years of legal residency in the country. If investors do not plan to apply for citizenship, they are not required to relocate to Italy or visit the country regularly to keep their residence permit valid.

3. A comfortable place to live, work, and raise children 

The Italy Golden Visa entitles investors and their family members to reside in the country, get employment with no restrictions, enrol their children in kindergartens and schools, open bank accounts, and seek medical treatment.

Italy is one of the most desirable countries to move to thanks to the beautiful cityscapes, magnificent nature, and friendly people. The country is famous for its cultural heritage — the unique architecture, music, and art — and is a UNESCO World Heritage Sites leader.

4. European tertiary education 

Children of investors with Italian residence permits can more easily enrol in an Italian university. Tuition fees and related costs are often lower than for non-resident international students, especially at public universities. 

Residence status may also make it easier to meet local admission formalities and access university services such as student support offices, campus facilities, and scholarships available under regional or university rules.

5. Special tax regime

A person who spends more than 183 days a year in Italy becomes a tax resident. The new tax residents can apply for a special tax regime. Investors may pay an annual fixed tax of €300,000 on profits outside Italy. Gift and inheritance taxes will only apply to Italian assets.

Preferential conditions are available to those applicants who have not been tax residents of Italy for the previous 9 out of 10 years and have previously obtained permission from the local tax office Agenzia Delle Entrate. The period of validity of this exemption is 15 years.

6. Access to one of the world’s major markets

Italy is the third-largest economy in the Eurozone and the 8th largest globally, with a GDP of around $2 trillion. Its domestic market offers diversity for business, with a population of over 60 million and a GDP per capita of over $35,000 [2].

7. Streamlined business opportunities 

Investors get the advantage of streamlined processes for starting and operating a business within Italy. 

Benefits include easier access to business registration, potential incentives at the regional level, and connections to a vast network of local and international entrepreneurs.

Citizens of countries outside the EU and Schengen Area are allowed to apply for an Italy Investor Visa.

Main applicant

Under the Italy Investor Visa programme, the main applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements and provide supporting evidence for each of them:

• be over 18;
• have sufficient funds for the investment;
• prove legitimacy of funds;
• submit written Declaration of Commitment stating investment amount and planned place of stay in Italy;
• prove sufficient funds to reside in Italy;
• have no criminal record;
• hold valid health insurance.

The investor can include their immediate family members in the Italy Investor Visa application.

Family members

Under the Italy Investor Visa programme, the following family members qualify for inclusion in the application:

• spouse, over 18;
• unmarried children under 18, including the spouse’s children;
• dependent children with a disability, over 18;
• dependent parents: of any age if they have no other children in their home country, or over 65 if other children cannot support them due to health issues.

Siblings and independent adult children can not be included in the Italy Investor Visa application.

Applicants can choose one of four options provided by the Italy residency by investment programme. The minimum investment requirement will depend on the option.  

Innovative start-up investment option

Minimum investment is €250,000 in an innovative start-up[3]. This option has the lowest investment threshold, but it usually involves higher business risk and more active involvement in the project. 

It is most suitable for applicants planning to relocate to Italy and take part in developing the business. The applicant normally prepares a business plan and a cover letter confirming the availability of funds and financial capacity to make the investment.

Investment in an Italian limited company option

Minimum investment is €500,000 in equity financing of an Italian limited company. Compared to government bonds, this option also requires greater engagement and carries higher commercial risk, but it remains a relatively accessible threshold for those aiming to establish a long-term presence in Italy. 

This option requires applicants to prepare a business plan and a cover letter confirming financial resources and the ability to complete the investment.

Philanthropic donation option

Funds are used to support a project of public interest in the cultural, educational, immigration, scientific, and natural heritage sectors. 

The minimum threshold is €1,000,000 when supporting culture and social projects.  

Government bond purchase option

The minimum threshold is €2,000,000[4]. This option comes with the least risks and involvement but is the most costly one. 

Investors can buy Italian government bonds with a remaining maturity of over 2 years, such as CCT/CCTeu, CTZ, BTP, Long-Term Treasury Bonds index-linked to Eurozone inflation, and BTP ITALIA. The annual yield for 5-year Italian government bonds is 2.3%.

The Italy Investor Visa process is split into two stages. First, the applicant obtains a Nulla Osta, a certificate of no impediment, through an online committee portal. Second, the investor applies for an Investor Visa at an Italian embassy or consulate and, after entering Italy, submits documents for a residence permit.

For obtaining Nulla Osta

To apply for an Italy Golden Visa, an investor will need to request a Nulla Osta via:

• Italian Start-Up Committee portal if they chose the innovative start-up investment option;
• Investor Visa for Italy Committee portal if they chose other investment options[5].

In 30 days, the responsible committee will issue a decision to approve or reject the Nulla Osta application. If the certificate is approved, the investor can apply for an Investor Visa via the Italian embassy in their home country.

List of documents for Nulla Osta: 

1. Contact information.
2. Passport copy.
3. CV copy.
4. Certificate of no criminal record or charges from every country of residence for the last 10 years.
5. Proof of funds required for the chosen investment option, as well as proof of their legality and transferability. 
6. Description of the investment characteristics and proof of consent from the recipients.
7. Declaration of commitment to use the funds, and make the relevant investment within 3 months after entering Italy, with an electronic signature. 

All necessary documents must be translated into Italian or English, notarised, and apostilled. The applicant can apply for a visa in person or via a lawyer. 

For obtaining Italy residence permit

The investor applies for an Italy Investor Visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in their country of residence. The list of documents for an embassy application:

1. Valid passport.
2. Photo in a passport format.
3. Nulla Osta certificate and documents that were submitted to obtain it.
4. Confirmation of accommodation in Italy, such as a hotel booking. 
5. Proof of at least €8,500 earned during the previous year in the country of residence.
6. Proof of residence in the relevant consular district.

The applicant can prove the existence and legitimacy of their income with bank statements for the last 3 months, as well as with income tax returns. Other options include presenting income from renting out a property, running a business, or holding shares.

It is not possible to obtain Italian citizenship by direct investment. After participating in the Italy Golden Visa programme, investors can get permanent residence in Italy and then citizenship by naturalisation under general conditions.

To obtain Italian citizenship by naturalisation, Golden Visa investors must have lived in the country for at least 10 years: five years based on a residence permit and five years based on permanent residence. They also pass a language test and maintain a clean criminal record.

Conditions for getting a permanent residence status and subsequent citizenship in Italy:

• rent or own residential property in Italy;
• have a stable income and pay taxes in the country;
• know Italian at the B1 level;
• have no criminal record;
• have no tax or public levy debt.

Applicants for Italian citizenship by naturalisation can not leave the country for longer than 6 months in one year. They can not be absent for more than one year in the 5 years before the application. These rules exclude foreigners who leave the country for studies or medical treatment.

Italy allows dual citizenship. Italian citizens may hold more than one citizenship, as long as this does not contravene the laws of other states.

To obtain Italian citizenship, an applicant must have lived in the country for 10 years. This route is not for everyone.

Some EU countries allow investors to get a residence permit and permanent residence much faster. Investors can live, study and work in their chosen country, enjoying the right of visa-free entry to other EU countries. 

The programmes’ conditions are less strict than in Italy. In Portugal, for example, investors are granted citizenship after living in the country for five years.

Greece offers a residence permit by investment for 5 years, with a chance to apply for citizenship in 7 years. The minimum investment is €250,000. The obtainment period is 4+ months.

Portugal offers a residence permit by investment for 5 years, with a chance to apply for citizenship after that period. The minimum investment is €250,000. The obtainment period is 12+ months.

Cyprus offers permanent residence by investment, rather than a temporary residence permit. Investors can renew their status every 2 years, or apply for citizenship in 8 years. The minimum investment is €300,000. The obtainment period is 9+ months.

Hungary offers a 10-year residence permit by investment, with no minimum stay requirement. Investors can obtain a Guest Investor residence permit by investing at least €250,000. The obtainment period is usually 4 to 6 months. 

Citizenship is available by naturalisation and requires 11 years of residence in Hungary.

Latvia offers the lowest minimum investment threshold among European residence by investment programmes. Foreigners can obtain a 5-year temporary residence permit starting at €50,000, and the process typically takes 3+ months. 

Citizenship is available only via naturalisation. In practice, applicants first qualify for permanent residence after 5 years on a temporary permit, subject to physical presence requirements, and then may apply for citizenship after at least 5 years as a permanent resident. As a result, the timeline to citizenship is usually 10 years or more.

The Italy Investor Visa is regulated and predictable, but approval and long-term renewal depend on strict compliance and clear documentation. The main points to consider are below.

Due Diligence and risk of refusal

Authorities assess background, criminal record history, and source of funds at the Nulla Osta stage. Any inconsistencies in personal history, documents, or explanations of wealth and income may lead to requests for additional evidence or a refusal.

Strict deadlines after entry to Italy

After entering Italy with an Investor Visa, applicants must apply for a permit of stay at the local police headquarters called Questura within 8 days. The investment or donation must be completed within 3 months from the date of arrival, otherwise residence permit may not be granted or may be cancelled.

Ongoing obligation to keep investment in place

Residence permit renewal depends on maintaining the investment for the whole validity period. Renewal is requested at least 60 days before expiry and requires obtaining a new Nulla Osta from the Investor Visa for Italy Committee.

Processing and delays

Even when the legal timeline is clear, delays may occur due to document legalisation, translations, consular appointment availability, and local procedures at Questura. Planning should include buffer time, especially when family members are included.

Tax residency implications

Italian tax rules depend on where tax residency is established and on personal income structure. Italy also offers a special regime for new residents with foreign income, but conditions and figures can change and should be confirmed before relocation.

Policy and legal changes

Investment thresholds, documentary requirements, and related rules may be updated by authorities. Citizenship rules are also a live political topic, so long-term plans such as naturalisation should be reviewed regularly against current legislation and practice.

Italy Investor Visa is one of several legal routes to long-term stay in the country. Depending on the purpose of stay, applicants may also qualify for residence permits for employment, study, family reunification, or remote work.

Immigrant Invest is an official representative of the Italy Golden Visa programme and provides end-to-end support with Italy Investor Visa, from selecting investment options and preparing Nulla Osta file to obtaining residence permit card in Italy.

Immigrant Invest has been operating since 2006 and has assisted more than 3,000 investors and their family members in obtaining residency. The company applies an individual approach to each case and conducts preliminary Due Diligence before submission, reducing the risk of refusal. 

As a result, 99% of applications prepared by Immigrant Invest receive approval, reflecting a consistently high success rate across investment programmes.

1. Italy Golden Visa, also known as Italy Investor Visa, offers non-EU citizens a route to Italian residence through investment starting from €250,000. 
2. It is designed for applicants who want the option to live in Italy, relocate with family, and travel within the Schengen Area under the 90 days in any 180-day period rule.
3. Applicants can choose one of four qualifying options: investment in an innovative start-up, investment in an Italian company, a philanthropic donation, or the purchase of government bonds. 
4. Residence permit is issued for 2 years and can be renewed for 3 more years if the investment is maintained.
5. Permanent residence becomes available after 5 years of legal residence, while citizenship by naturalisation generally requires 10 years of residence and additional conditions such as language and integration requirements.

1. Source: Italy Golden Visa rules — Consolidated Act on Immigration
2. Source: Italy GDP — World Bank
3. Source: Investment in startup — Italian Government 
4. Source: Summary of government bonds — Italian Government
5. Source: Investor Visa for Italy — Committee portal