Live in Italy through €250K-€2M investment. EU residency, 10-year citizenship pathway, world heritage, Mediterranean lifestyle, €300K flat tax for HNWIs.
Live La Dolce Vita with EU residency and unmatched cultural heritage
Italy's Investor Visa offers EU residency through €250K-€2M productive investment in Italian innovative startups, established companies, or government bonds. Unlike property-based programs, Italy requires economic investment that supports Italian businesses, innovation, and job creation.
Italy stands out for unmatched cultural heritage (58 UNESCO World Heritage Sites—most globally), Mediterranean lifestyle, world-renowned cuisine, fashion/design capital status. The program attracts investors seeking quality of life over pure tax optimization, though favorable tax regimes exist: 7% flat for southern retirees and €300K annually for wealthy individuals (2026 rate).
The 10-year citizenship pathway is slower than Portugal (5 years) or Greece (7 years), but offers Italian passport ranked among world's strongest (194+ visa-free countries). No minimum stay for residency maintenance, but citizenship requires 183+ days/year and B1 Italian language—making it suitable for those genuinely wanting to live in Italy, not just hold EU residency.
Four qualifying investment routes (no real estate)
Italian innovative startup registry
Italian limited company equity
Italian sovereign debt securities
All routes require:
CRITICAL 2026 UPDATE - Investment Timing:
You do NOT need to invest before applying. Process works as follows:
Why no real estate? Italy deliberately excludes property investment to channel capital toward productive economic activities—government debt, business investment, innovation—that create jobs and economic value beyond property speculation. This differentiates Italy from Greece, Portugal, Spain (closed).
In addition to the investment amount, you must prove ownership of substantial total assets:
€250K/€500K Routes: Must demonstrate €1,000,000 minimum total global assets
€2M Route: Must demonstrate €2,000,000+ minimum total global assets
Acceptable Assets:
Why This Matters: Many applicants can afford the €250K-€500K investment but fail to meet the €1M total asset threshold. Italian authorities want evidence of broader financial stability beyond just the investment amount.
Documentation: Bank statements (6 months), brokerage statements, property valuations, business financials, tax returns, comprehensive source of wealth documentation.
What you need to qualify
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 18+ years old (main applicant) |
| Investment | €250K-€2M in qualifying routes, 2+ year hold, executed within 90 days post-arrival |
| Total Assets (Mandatory) | €1M for €250K/€500K routes, €2M for bond route |
| Background | Clean criminal record globally, no security threats |
| Health Insurance | €30,000 minimum coverage valid in Italy/EU |
| Accommodation | Proof of suitable housing in Italy (owned or rented) |
| Stay Requirement | None for residency. 183+ days/year for citizenship pathway. |
| Income | Sufficient funds to support yourself/family without employment |
Italy Investor Visa includes family members at no additional investment:
Each family member receives independent visa with same validity and rights. Can work, study, access healthcare. Investment made by main applicant covers entire family.
Fees: Visa application €116 per person. Legal/administrative typically €10K-€15K total for family.
Italian citizenship available after 10 years legal residency:
Standard Requirements:
Reduced Timelines (Special Cases):
Italian Passport Benefits (Post-Citizenship):
Why 10 Years? Longest timeline among major EU Golden Visas (Portugal 5, Greece 7, Malta 5). Reflects Italy's preference for genuine integration over transactional residency. Suitable for those actually planning Italian life long-term, not just EU access.
Streamlined digital Nulla Osta speeds timeline to 3-6 months
Choose route (€250K startup, €500K company, €2M bonds). Consult CIVITAS advisors on risk/return. Identify specific investment target. Prepare commitment letter from investment entity. Note: Investment executed AFTER visa approval, not before.
Submit preliminary application online to Italian Ministry of Interior via digital platform. Provide passport, proof of assets (€1M-€2M), investment commitment letter, background info. Receive Nulla Osta (pre-approval) within mandatory 30 days by law.
Gather: passports, birth/marriage certificates, police clearances (all countries 10+ years residence), health insurance €30K coverage, proof of Italian accommodation, asset documentation (€1M-€2M proof), source of wealth. Apostille and translate to Italian.
Submit complete application to Italian consulate in country of residence with Nulla Osta approval, all documents, application fees. Attend mandatory in-person interview. Submit biometrics (fingerprints, photo).
Italian consulate reviews application. Background checks via Interpol/Schengen databases. Asset verification. Investment commitment review. Decision on visa approval. Minimal delays with Nulla Osta already granted.
Receive Investor Visa (Visto per Investitori) valid 2 years. Travel to Italy within validity period. Must enter Italy to activate residency rights. Note: Investment NOT yet made at this stage.
After entering Italy, you have 90 days to transfer funds and execute chosen investment. Purchase bonds, invest in company, or subscribe to startup. Obtain official investment certificate from authorized Italian intermediary (bank, fund manager, company).
Within 8 days of investment completion, apply for residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at local Questura (police station). Submit fingerprints, documents, investment certificate. Receive residence card valid 2 years, renewable indefinitely while investment maintained.
Investment selection (2-4 weeks) + Digital Nulla Osta (30 days mandatory) + Documents (4-6 weeks) + Consulate application (1-2 weeks) + Processing (1-2 months) + Visa (1-2 weeks) = 3-6 months to entry. Then 90 days to invest + 2-3 months for permit = total 6-9 months to full residency.
2026 Speed Improvement: Introduction of mandatory 30-day digital Nulla Osta process significantly accelerated timelines. Pre-2026, applications could take 6-12 months. Now 3-6 months is realistic, making Italy among fastest EU investor programs.
Faster than advertised pre-2026: Previous estimates of 6-12 months are now outdated. Digital transformation of Italian immigration (2026) cut processing time in half.
Why investors choose Italy (updated 2026)
58 UNESCO sites—most globally. Rome, Florence, Venice, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Tuscany. 3,000 years continuous history. Renaissance art birthplace. Live surrounded by unparalleled cultural treasures accessible daily.
World-renowned cuisine, regional diversity (20 distinct regional cuisines). Fresh produce markets daily. Wine regions (Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto). Mediterranean diet UNESCO heritage. Farm-to-table culture. Michelin stars alongside authentic trattorias.
Milan fashion capital globally. Italian design leadership (furniture, automotive, architecture). Luxury brands headquarters (Gucci, Prada, Ferrari, Armani). Design weeks, art biennales. Center of global style, creativity, innovation.
Alps skiing (Dolomites, Mont Blanc), Mediterranean beaches 7,600km coastline, Tuscan countryside, volcanic islands (Sicily, Sardinia). Lakes (Como, Garda, Maggiore). Four distinct seasons. Endless lifestyle variety within one country.
Italian passport ranked among world's strongest: 194+ visa-free countries (2026). Full EU citizenship rights. During residency phase: 29 Schengen access. After citizenship (10 years): 194+ global access, live/work anywhere EU permanently.
Italian NHS (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) ranks among world's best. Free public healthcare for residents. Private insurance €100-€300/month. Modern hospitals, specialist care, English-speaking doctors major cities. Medical research leader.
Historic universities (Bologna 1088—oldest in Europe). Strong public education free/low-cost. International schools available major cities. University of Milan, Politecnico, Bocconi (top business school). EU student rates €1K-€4K/year vs €20K+ US/UK.
7% flat tax for retirees relocating to southern towns (under 20K population). €300K annually flat tax for wealthy individuals (2026 rate, was €100K-€200K pre-2026). Regional tax incentives. 90+ tax treaties. Corporate tax competitiveness.
High-speed rail Frecciarossa connects major cities (Milan-Rome 3 hours, Milan-Venice 2.5 hours). Major international airports (Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Venice). Autostrada highway system. Central European location. Easy EU/Mediterranean travel.
vs Portugal (€500K):
vs Greece (€400K-€800K):
vs Malta (€337K-€387K):
7% retiree flat tax and €300K wealthy individual option
Italy offers 7% substitute flat tax on foreign pension income for retirees relocating to southern towns:
Savings Example:
Perfect For: Retirees with US/UK/EU foreign pensions seeking authentic Italian village life, significantly lower cost of living vs Rome/Milan/Florence, warm Mediterranean climate, beach/mountain access. Many southern towns offer €1 houses to attract residents.
Popular Locations: Puglia (Ostuni, Lecce), Sicily (Taormina, Syracuse), Abruzzo (mountain villages), Sardinia (coastal towns). Combination of sea, mountains, authentic culture, low costs.
JANUARY 2026 UPDATE: Italy's Budget Law 2026 raised the high-net-worth flat tax regime from €100,000-€200,000 to €300,000 annually. This is a significant increase affecting HNWIs.
Current 2026 Regime:
Cost for Family of 4 (2026):
When It Makes Sense:
Strategy: Combine Investor Visa (€250K-€2M investment) with €300K flat tax. Total Year 1 cost €550K-€2.3M for residency + favorable tax treatment on unlimited income for 15 years. Saves hundreds of thousands to millions annually for UHNWIs with €2M+ income.
Comparison to Other EU Options:
For those not using special flat tax regimes:
Personal Income Tax (IRPEF) 2026:
Corporate Tax: 24% national corporate tax (IRES) + 3.9% regional tax (IRAP) = 27.9% effective. Competitive within EU. Various incentives for R&D, startups, southern regions (tax credits up to 50% for certain investments).
Total investment required
| Cost Component | €250K Route | €500K Route | €2M Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment | €250,000 | €500,000 | €2,000,000 |
| Legal & Advisory | €10,000-€15,000 | €10,000-€15,000 | €15,000-€25,000 |
| Visa Fees (4 people) | €464 | €464 | €464 |
| Translation/Apostille | €1,000-€2,000 | €1,000-€2,000 | €1,000-€2,000 |
| Health Insurance (Year 1) | €2,000-€4,000 | €2,000-€4,000 | €2,000-€4,000 |
| Accommodation (Year 1) | €12,000-€24,000 | €12,000-€24,000 | €24,000-€48,000 |
| Permit Fees | €200-€400 | €200-€400 | €200-€400 |
| YEAR 1 TOTAL | €276K-€296K | €526K-€546K | €2.04M-€2.08M |
€250K Startup Route: €276,000-€296,000 Year 1
€500K Company Route: €526,000-€546,000 Year 1
€2M Bond Route: €2,040,000-€2,080,000 Year 1
Ongoing Costs (All Routes):
Investment Returns Help: Bond yields (3.5-4%) and potential company dividends offset ongoing costs. Unlike property programs where investment is illiquid, Italian government bonds are tradeable after 2 years.
CIVITAS specializes in Italian investor visa applications. Expert guidance on investment selection (startups, companies, bonds), tax optimization (7% retiree, €300K flat tax), and lifestyle planning for La Dolce Vita. Navigate 2026 digital Nulla Osta process with confidence.