Moving to Italy? Why the Investor Visa Can Be a Better Option Than a Standard Residence Permit

Learn how Italy’s Investor Visa works, the advantages it offers over traditional residence permits, eligibility criteria, application steps, investment thresholds, and important risks to evaluate before investing.

Main Benefits of Italy’s Investor Visa

1. No upfront investment required
   The qualifying investment does not need to be completed before the visa is issued. Instead, the investment must be finalized within three months of entering Italy and obtaining the residence permit.
   
2. Fast-track processing
   Investor Visa applications are generally processed on a priority basis by Italian Consulates. In our experience, visas are often issued within one to two weeks, although processing times may vary depending on the Consulate.
   
3. Potential tax advantages
   If the investor spends fewer than 183 days per year in Italy, they may not become an Italian tax resident and therefore may have limited or no Italian tax obligations, subject to individual circumstances. Applicants should always seek advice from a qualified tax adviser.
   
4. Family members can be included
   The visa may be extended to the investor’s spouse and dependent children under the age of 18.
   
5. Residence and Schengen travel rights
   Successful applicants receive an initial two-year residence permit, allowing travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, in accordance with Schengen regulations.
   
6. Renewable residence permit
   After the initial two-year period, the residence permit may be renewed for additional three-year periods, provided the qualifying investment is maintained.
   
7. Pathway to long-term residence and citizenship
   Investors who become Italian tax residents and maintain legal residence in Italy may be eligible to apply for permanent residence after five years and Italian citizenship after ten years, subject to meeting all legal requirements. Italy also offers a number of favorable tax regimes for high-net-worth individuals, new residents, and certain pensioners.
   
8. Access to local services and benefits
   Registration with the local municipality (“Comune”) provides access to a number of practical benefits, including:
   • Registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN);
   • The possibility of importing personal belongings under applicable customs rules;
   • Vehicle registration and ownership;
   • Opening a resident bank account.
     
9. No minimum stay requirement
   Unlike most other Italian residence permits, the Investor Visa does not require the holder to spend a minimum period of time in Italy each year to maintain the permit.
   
10. Employment opportunities
    Both the investor and their spouse may work in Italy. The investor residence permit may also be converted into another category of permit, including a work permit, provided the relevant legal requirements are met.
    
11. Flexible source of investment funds
    The qualifying investment may be made using funds belonging to a company or trust, provided the applicant can demonstrate the authority to dispose of those funds and complete the investment.
    
12. Exemption from integration requirements
    Investor residence permit holders are exempt from the obligations imposed under Italy’s Integration Agreement system, including language requirements. This exemption generally applies until an application for permanent residence is submitted.

How to Apply for an Investor Visa

The individual must register and apply online through the Government’s dedicated portal. The application can be completed in Italian or English. Any supporting documents that are not available in Italian or English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

Which are the € 500 K investment options to obtain the Investor Visa?

What Are the Most Popular Investments?

Most of our clients choose to invest €500,000 in publicly listed companies, particularly in companies that are owned, participated in and/or controlled by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Below the companies listed in Stock Market in which the Gov.t has a participation

• Banca Monte Paschi di Siena S.p.A.(4,863 %)
• Enav spa (53,28%)
• Enel spa (23,59%)
• Eni spa (2,084%) [+29,751% owned by a Gov.t fund ]
• Leonardo spa (30,20%)
• Poste italiane spa (29,26%) [+ 35% owned by a Gov.t fund ]

A complete list of other listed companes is available on the Milan Stock Market’s website

• Italian Stock search list: letter A Borsa Italiana

What information applicants must submit?

1. Application form, duly compiled with all information and signed with digital signature
2. A detailed curriculum vitae
3. Selection of the type of investment
4. A detailed letter from a bank where it is confirmed the availability of sufficient funds to execute the investment and that the bank has carried the due diligence required by the FATF International standards on anti-money laundering
5. Certificates of non-existence of criminal convictions and pending charges from countries where the applicant has lived in the last 10 years

What Are the Main Steps?

1. The application is filed online through the Ministry’s dedicated portal.
2. If the application is approved, the Ministry issues a Nulla Osta (clearance certificate), which is used to apply for the visa.
3. The investor can then apply for the visa at the relevant Italian Consulate. Investor Visa applications are generally given priority appointments.
4. Once the visa is issued, the investor may enter Italy and must:
   • register with the Police within 8 days of entry (investors are generally given priority appointments); and
   • complete the investment within 3 months of the date of entry.
5. The Ministry must be informed as soon as the investment has been completed and will issue its final approval. The investment must be held with an Italian bank or broker and maintained for the duration of the residence permit.

For more detailed information, please refer to our Handbook

• Navigating the Italy Golden Visa : An In-Depth Handbook