Updated on January 31, 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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