Key Advantages of Italy Residence by Investment

Visa-free travel

Visa-free travel within Europe's Schengen Area (26 countries) with your Italian residence permit

Family inclusion

Include your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents without additional investment

No minimum stay

No mandatory physical presence requirement to maintain your residence permit

Pre-approval model

Italy pre-approves your application before you invest, eliminating upfront financial risk

Path to citizenship

Eligible for permanent residency after 5 years and Italian citizenship after 10 years of legal residence

Tax advantages

New residents can opt for a flat tax of EUR 200,000 per year on worldwide foreign income for up to 15 years

Right to work and study

Full right to live, work, and study in Italy with access to public healthcare (SSN) and education

World's strongest passport

Italy's passport ranks among the top globally, offering visa-free access to 190+ countries

Investor Visa — Startup Investment Investor Visa — Company, Bonds & Donations Italia Startup Visa — Founder Route Elective Residence Visa
Benefits Requirements Procedure Citizenship

Investor Visa — Startup Investment

The Italy Investor Visa Startup Investment option offers the most affordable entry point into the Italian Golden Visa programme at just EUR 250,000. This route allows non-EU investors to obtain a 2-year residence permit by investing in a government-approved innovative Italian startup, with no minimum stay requirement and a unique pre-approval model that ensures your application is approved before you invest a single euro.

Requirements

The Investor Visa Startup Investment route allows non-EU nationals to obtain Italian residency by investing a minimum of EUR 250,000 in a qualifying innovative Italian startup.

The startup must meet Italy's legal definition of an innovative startup:

1) Incorporated as a limited company (SRL or SPA) under Italian law
2) Headquartered in Italy
3) Operating for no longer than 4 years
4) Annual revenues below EUR 5 million
5) Does not distribute profits
6) Focused primarily on technological innovation
7) Must meet at least one criterion linked to R&D spend (15%+ of revenue), team qualifications (1/3 with doctoral degrees or 2/3 with master's degrees), or registered patents/software

Key requirements:

1) Minimum investment of EUR 250,000 in a single qualifying innovative startup
2) The applicant must be a non-EU/EEA national aged 18 or over
3) A clean criminal record for the past 10 years
4) Proof of lawful origin and transferability of funds
5) The investment must be maintained for the duration of the residence permit
6) Investment must be completed within 3 months of entry into Italy
7) There is no real estate investment option under this programme

Process and Procedure

The processing time is approximately 3–6 months. Italy operates a unique pre-approval model — your application is approved before you invest.

Step 1: Initial consultation with MA Consultants to assess your eligibility and discuss suitable startup investment opportunities

Step 2: Submit an online application for the Nulla Osta (certificate of no impediment) to the Investor Visa Committee, including proof of funds, CV, and investment plan

Step 3: The Committee reviews the application and issues the Nulla Osta within 30 days (valid for 6 months)

Step 4: Apply for the Investor Visa at your nearest Italian consulate

Step 5: Enter Italy and apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 days of arrival

Step 6: Complete the qualifying investment within 3 months of entry

The visa is granted for 2 years and is renewable for a further 3-year period, provided the investment is maintained. To obtain the visa, investors must also purchase or rent residential real estate in Italy following approval.

MA Consultants will manage the full process from initial consultation through to the issuance of your residence permit, working with our team in Italy.

Citizenship

Investors can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years of legal residence in Italy. After ten years of continuous legal residence, investors may apply for Italian citizenship by naturalisation.

Italy allows dual citizenship. The Italian passport ranks among the strongest in the world, offering visa-free access to over 190 countries.

Benefits Requirements Procedure Citizenship

Investor Visa — Company, Bonds & Donations

The Italy Investor Visa programme offers three additional investment routes for non-EU investors seeking European residency: investment in an Italian company (EUR 500,000), Italian government bonds (EUR 2,000,000), or a philanthropic donation to projects of public interest (EUR 1,000,000). All routes grant a 2-year residence permit with the same benefits and no minimum stay requirement.

Requirements

The Italy Investor Visa offers three additional qualifying investment options beyond the startup route:

1) Italian Company Investment — EUR 500,000
Purchase of shares or equity in an Italian limited company (SPA or SRL). The company must be active and have at least one financial statement available at the time of application.

2) Italian Government Bonds — EUR 2,000,000
Direct purchase of Italian government securities, held for a minimum of two years.

3) Philanthropic Donation — EUR 1,000,000
A non-refundable donation to projects of public interest in Italy, including culture, education, ecology, immigration management, research and development, arts, and heritage.

Key requirements (all options):

1) The applicant must be a non-EU/EEA national aged 18 or over
2) A clean criminal record for the past 10 years
3) Proof of lawful origin and transferability of funds
4) The investment must be maintained for the duration of the residence permit
5) Investment must be completed within 3 months of entry into Italy
6) There is no real estate investment option under this programme — property purchase alone does not grant residency

Process and Procedure

The processing time is approximately 3–6 months. The same pre-approval model applies — your application is approved before you invest.

Step 1: Initial consultation with MA Consultants to assess your eligibility and discuss the most suitable investment option

Step 2: Submit an online application for the Nulla Osta (certificate of no impediment) to the Investor Visa Committee

Step 3: The Committee reviews the application and issues the Nulla Osta within 30 days (valid for 6 months)

Step 4: Apply for the Investor Visa at your nearest Italian consulate

Step 5: Enter Italy and apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arrival

Step 6: Complete the qualifying investment within 3 months of entry

The visa is granted for 2 years and is renewable for a further 3-year period, provided the investment is maintained. Investors must also purchase or rent residential real estate in Italy following approval.

MA Consultants will manage the full process from initial consultation through to the issuance of your residence permit.

Citizenship

Investors can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years of legal residence in Italy. After ten years of continuous legal residence, investors may apply for Italian citizenship by naturalisation.

Italy allows dual citizenship. The Italian passport ranks among the strongest in the world, offering visa-free access to over 190 countries.

Benefits Requirements Procedure Citizenship

Italia Startup Visa — Founder Route

The Italia Startup Visa is a dedicated programme for non-EU entrepreneurs who wish to establish their own innovative startup in Italy. With a minimum capital requirement of EUR 50,000 and a simplified, fast-track application process through the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, this route offers an affordable pathway to Italian residency for founders with innovative technology-driven business ideas.

Requirements

The Italia Startup Visa is a self-employment visa route for non-EU entrepreneurs who want to found an innovative startup in Italy.

Business requirements — the startup must:

1) Be incorporated as a limited company (SRL or SPA) under Italian law or as a European company
2) Be focused on the development and delivery of technology-related services or products
3) Own, have filed, or licensed a patent, industrial property right, or original registered software
4) Not replicate existing consulting or agency activities — purely intermediary businesses do not qualify

Financial requirements:

1) Minimum EUR 50,000 in dedicated financial resources for the startup (from personal funds, venture capital, incubator funding, crowdfunding, or government grants)
2) Proof of personal annual income of at least EUR 8,500 in the previous year

Personal requirements:

1) The applicant must be a non-EU/EEA national
2) A clean criminal record
3) CV and professional experience relevant to the startup project
4) The applicant must not leave Italy for more than 6 months while holding the permit

Startup status duration: Innovative startup status is guaranteed for the first 3 years, extendable to 5 years with tangible results (patents, capital increase, revenue or job growth). Further extensions of up to 9 years total are possible if the startup raises over EUR 1 million or shows annual growth above 100%.

Process and Procedure

The Italia Startup Visa follows a simplified, digitised, fast-track process through the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.

Step 1: Initial consultation with MA Consultants to assess your business idea and eligibility

Step 2: Prepare your application including: application form, passport copy, business plan with revenue forecasts, presentation deck, and proof of EUR 50,000 in available funds

Step 3: Submit your application to the Italia Startup Visa Technical Committee at the Ministry of Economic Development (via email to italiastartupvisa@mise.gov.it)

Step 4: The Committee evaluates the application — if approved, a Certificate of No Impediment (Nulla Osta) is issued

Step 5: Apply for the Startup Visa at your nearest Italian consulate

Step 6: Enter Italy within 180 days and apply for a 1-year residence permit within 8 days of arrival

Step 7: Incorporate the innovative startup within the required timeframe

The initial residence permit is valid for 1 year and is renewable for up to 3 years per renewal, provided the startup maintains its innovative status. Renewals can be granted an unlimited number of times.

Teams of up to 10 co-founders may apply together, sharing the EUR 50,000 minimum capital requirement.

MA Consultants will guide you through the entire process from business plan development to residence permit issuance.

Citizenship

Startup visa holders can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years of legal residence in Italy. After ten years of continuous legal residence, they may apply for Italian citizenship by naturalisation.

Italy allows dual citizenship. The Italian passport ranks among the strongest in the world, offering visa-free access to over 190 countries.

Benefits Requirements Procedure Citizenship

Elective Residence Visa

The Italy Elective Residence Visa is designed for financially independent non-EU individuals who wish to live in Italy without working. Ideal for retirees, high-net-worth individuals, and those with stable passive income, this visa requires no business investment — only proof of sufficient annual income and residential accommodation in Italy.

Requirements

The Elective Residence Visa allows financially independent non-EU citizens to live in Italy without working or making a business investment.

Financial requirements:

1) Minimum stable passive annual income of approximately EUR 32,000 for a single applicant
2) Approximately EUR 38,000 for a couple
3) An additional EUR 6,200 per dependent child
4) Income must be passive and originate from outside Italy (pensions, investment returns, rental income, dividends, etc.)
5) Savings alone do not qualify as stable passive income, but may support the application

Accommodation requirements:

1) The applicant must own or lease residential property in Italy
2) A lease agreement valid for at least one year, or title deed of a property in Italy, must be provided

Additional requirements:

1) The applicant must be a non-EU/EEA national
2) A clean criminal record
3) Private health insurance valid in Italy
4) The applicant is not permitted to work in Italy under this visa — including remote work for foreign employers

Tax benefits for retirees: Retirees moving to specific smaller municipalities in Southern Italy can benefit from a 7% flat tax on foreign pension income.

Process and Procedure

The processing time for the Elective Residence Visa is approximately 90–120 days from the date of application.

Step 1: Initial consultation with MA Consultants to assess your eligibility and discuss your plans for living in Italy

Step 2: Secure residential accommodation in Italy (purchase or long-term lease)

Step 3: Prepare the required documents including proof of passive income, accommodation, health insurance, and clean criminal record

Step 4: Submit the visa application at your nearest Italian consulate — the applicant must appear in person

Step 5: Upon approval, enter Italy and apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arrival

The visa is initially granted for 1 year and is renewable, provided the income and accommodation requirements continue to be met. Under the Elective Residence Visa, applicants must demonstrate a stable income and have residential real estate in Italy.

MA Consultants will guide you through the entire process from initial consultation to residence permit issuance.

Citizenship

Elective residence visa holders can apply for a permanent residence permit after five years of legal residence in Italy, provided they have relocated to Italy. After ten years of continuous legal residence, they may apply for Italian citizenship by naturalisation.

Italy allows dual citizenship. The Italian passport ranks among the strongest in the world, offering visa-free access to over 190 countries.

Residency Areas

Monaco

Residence in 120

Minimum investment - 500,000 EUR

Visa free travel to Schengen Area (26 countries)

Read more

Greece

Residence in 3–9 months

Minimum investment - EUR 250,000

Visa free travel to Europe's Schengen Area

Read more

Portugal

Residence in 12–18 months

Minimum investment - EUR 170,000

Visa free travel to Europe's Schengen Area

Read more

Italy

Residence in 3–6 months

Minimum investment - EUR 50,000

Visa free travel to Europe's Schengen Area

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Malta

Residence in 4–6 months

Minimum investment - EUR 375,000

Visa free travel to Europe's Schengen Area

Read more