Italy Residence Permit by Investment for UK citizens: Complete Guide

The Italy Golden Visa, officially known as the Italy Investor Visa program, offers a unique opportunity for UK citizens to gain residency in one of Europe’s most culturally rich and economically vibrant nations. The Italian authorities launched the Golden Visa program in 2017 to draw foreign investors into their economy.

How to obtain residence permit in Italy with the Golden Visa

Potential applicants have multiple avenues available for investing under this program. The range is between €250,000 and €2 million, depending on the chosen form of investment — which includes bonds, shares, or donations towards innovative startups within Italy.

In essence, as you become part of the Italian residents' community, you gain access to healthcare services and education facilities while enjoying visa-free travel within Schengen countries. You’ll also have legal permission to work or establish your business venture.

1. Visa-free travel across Schengen Area countries without needing additional visas or permits. Italian residents can spend up to 90 days out of 180 there.

2. Creating a safe haven or moving to Italy. The Golden Visa gives an investor the opportunity to visit Italy at any time, even when the country’s borders are closed to foreigners. Residents can stay in the country as long as they want. Simultaneously, they don’t have to live in Italy if they are not planning to acquire citizenship.

3. Tax incentives are available for UK citizens residing in Italy, which means acquiring tax residency status isn’t mandatory. Foreigners become Italian residents only if they spend at least 183 days a year there. To apply for a special tax regime, UK applicants for an Italy Golden Visa have to pay an annual fee of €200,000 instead of standard progressive taxes on their global earnings. This can be particularly beneficial if they possess significant wealth or high incomes outside of Italy.

4. Residency for family members. The investor is able to add their close family members to the application, and they will also obtain residency. A spouse, minor children, disabled children over 18, and the applicant’s parents are among the people who can participate alongside the investor.

5. Lower prices for children’s education. Adolescents with Italian residence can enter Italian universities on the same conditions as Italian citizens. The tuition fee is lower for them than for foreign students.

6. Way to become an Italian citizen. Under the Italy Golden Visa program, a resident must continue investing in the economy of the country. Thus, residence permit is given to an applicant for two years, with the possibility of extending it for three-year periods. After ten years of residency in Italy, an investor and their family can become fully fledged Italian citizens.

More advantages of Italian life are waiting for you

These conditions, outlined by the Italian government, are designed to attract serious investors who can substantially contribute to Italy’s economy.

Fulfilling financial commitments. Within three months after entering Italy with their Investor Visa, applicants need to make an investment of between €250,000—2 mln.

Maintaining residency status implies continuing to make sizable investments in the country’s economy through chosen channels.

Economic activity and legal compliance requirements. Potential investors are also required to provide proof of active economic contribution via owning businesses, being self-employed, and maintaining legal standing throughout the entire process from application until the issuance of the residence permit card.

In addition, an investor must be:

• over 18 years old;

• with sufficient capital to invest;

• able to prove that the capital is legal;

• with no criminal records;

• with valid health insurance.

Here are some of the investments UK citizens can make that will set them on course towards obtaining their Golden Visa in Italy.

1. Fostering innovation through startup investments. This route does double duty by providing potential economic returns while also stimulating innovation within Italy’s economy, thus contributing positively to its growth trajectory. This option requires investing at least €250,000.

2. Setting up or funding a limited company. This approach presents both residential status and potential growth opportunities under the Italian investor visa program. The applicant has to invest €500,000 in either setting up a new limited company or injecting funds into an existing one registered within Italian territory.

3. Donations towards cultural or environmental projects. Making philanthropic strides could be another pathway towards securing a permanent residence permit via the Golden Visa program. This option involves donating no less than €1 million to cultural projects like restoration initiatives or environmental sustainability programs endorsed by the Italian government.

4. Investing in government bonds. This path provides dual benefits: gaining access to residency through the investor visa committee while simultaneously supporting one of Mediterranean Europe’s most vibrant economies. Moreover, this option is the least risky. However, it requires €2,000,000 or more.

Read our detailed guide to all types of residence in Italy

The added advantage here is that the investors are contributing significantly towards improving health systems, preserving heritage sites, and enhancing public facilities across the beautiful landscapes of Italy.

1. The Italy Golden Visa program is a gateway to the Mediterranean lifestyle for UK citizens. It lets the investors enjoy constantly open borders to Italy and the states of the Schengen Area, where they can spend at least 90 days out of 180.

2. The investment options for obtaining Italian residency through investment start at €250,000.

3. There are four investment options: investment in innovative startups; buying shares of a company that is incorporated or operates in Italy; buying government bonds; or donating to philanthropic organisations.

4. The Investor Visa provides a special tax regime that allows a UK citizen to pay a €200,000 fee annually instead of paying a progressive tax on their global income.

5. The process of applying for the Italy Golden Visa usually takes 3—6 months.

6. The Italy Golden Visa opens up opportunities for citizenship after ten years of Italian residency.