[latest updates 15/06/2020]
The Decreto rilancio
The so called “Decreto rilancio” has been published in the Official gazette with immediate effect, confirming the reduction of the investment required to qualify for the Investor visa in case of investment in Italian companies and innovative startups. Amounts are now respectively 500,000 EUR (instead of 1 million) and 250,000 EUR (instead of 500,000 EUR).
The new “Investor visa for Italy” is now available for foreigners intending to invest in Italy. This is a visa program for investors seeking to enter Italy to engage in capital investments that benefit the Italian economy.
Since January 2017, Italian immigration law makes visas available to immigrant investors seeking to enter Italy to engage in capital investments that benefit the Italian economy. Particular attention is given to funding leading to job creation and to investments connected with start-up companies, advanced training, scientific research and patronage activities. In addition, tax and financial reliefs for foreigners transferring their tax residency in Italy are provided.
The Italian government has announced the implementing decree of the new Investor’s Visa (For further information Inter-ministerial decree July 21 2017).
Application platform and relevant operations manual is available here: https://investorvisa.mise.gov.it/
Requirements for the Investor Visa
To qualify for the Investor Visa the applicant can:
- purchase at least € 2 million in Italian government bonds – funds to be kept for a period of at least 2 years; or
- invest at least € 500.000 in equity instruments of a company based and operating in Italy or € 250.000 in case of a start-up company; or
- donate at least € 1 million philanthropic funding supporting projects of public interest in the field of culture, education, immigration, scientific research, recovery of cultural assets and landscapes.
The applicant must first obtain a special clearance, by filing an online application through a dedicated platform. Upon approval, the applicant must file the visa application at the Italian Consulate which has jurisdiction over his place of residence.
A 2-year valid visa is issued with a fast-track procedure. Applicants must enter Italy before the visa expiration date and must provide documented evidence of the investment within 3 months from the date of entry. The investor visa holder receives two years valid investors’ residence permit (permesso di soggiorno per investitori), renewable for an additional three years.
