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Italy Golden Visa - Investor visa

Italy Golden Visa - Investor visa overview

The Italy Investor Visa, also known as the Italy Golden Visa, is an investment residency program that gives non-EU nationals and their families a 2-year renewable residence permit to live, work, and study in Italy through one of four investment options available: EUR 250,000 in an Italian innovative startup, EUR 500,000 in an Italian operating company (listed or unlisted), a EUR 1,000,000 philanthropic donation to a project of public interest, or EUR 2,000,000 in Italian government bonds. The program includes the spouse, minor children, adult children dependent due to health conditions, and dependent parents, with no language, education, or physical residency requirements. Holders obtain visa-free travel within the Schengen zone for 90 days in any 180-day period. The Italy Golden Visa provides also a pathway to PR after 5 years and the possibility to apply for Italian citizenship after 10 years of legal continuous residence, subject to language test (B1).

Italy Golden Visa - Investor visa benefits

  1. Dependents included: spouse (marriage or civil partnership certificate required), dependent children (children 18 or older must demonstrate dependency due to health conditions), and dependent parents of the main applicant (for serious health reasons with no other relatives able to support them)
  2. Italy is a member of the Schengen Area and the European Union
  3. Right to live, work, and study in Italy
  4. Access to Italy's healthcare and education systems
  5. Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180-day rolling period
  6. No language, education, or work experience requirements
  7. No physical residency requirement
  8. 2-year residence permit, renewable in 3-year periods as long as the original investment is maintained
  9. Pathway to permanent residency after 5 years of legal and continuous residence, and to Italian citizenship after 10 years with a B1 language level test (citizenship process may take up to 3 years)
  10. The investment is only required after the Nulla Osta is approved, and must be completed within 3 months of entering Italy

Italy Golden Visa - Investor visa requirements

  • Be over 18 years of age and a non-EU/EEA citizen
  • Passport with remaining validity of at least 2 years and 6 months at the time of submission
  • Have a clear criminal record. Apostilled or legalised clean criminal records are required from countries where the applicant has resided for more than 12 consecutive months during the last 10 years, starting from the age of 18
  • Prove ownership, transferability, and licit origin of funds
  • Maintain the qualifying investment for the duration of the residence permit
  • Provide a description of the characteristics of the investment or donation, proof of consent of recipients, and a declaration of commitment to use the funds
  • Private health insurance covering the Schengen Area

Italy Golden Visa - Investor visa investment options

  1. Option 1: EUR 250,000 in an Italian Innovative Startup registered at startup.registroimprese.it/isin/home
  2. Option 2: EUR 500,000 in companies incorporated and operating in Italy, listed or unlisted
  3. Option 3: EUR 1,000,000 philanthropic donation in support of a project of public interest in sectors such as culture, education, immigration management, scientific research, or the recovery of cultural assets and landscapes
  4. Option 4: EUR 2,000,000 in Italian government bonds. Investments may be split across more than one type of bond
  5. The investment must be directed to one legal entity only (except for government bonds)
  6. The investment can be made via a non-EU company owned by the investor

Italy Golden Visa - Investor visa application process

Process (3 to 6 months)

  • Due diligence and documents collection
  • Choose the qualifying investment option
  • Submit the online application for the Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment). Issuance typically takes around 30 days
  • After obtaining the Nulla Osta, apply for the Investor Visa at the consulate in the applicant's place of residence within 6 months. Attend the consulate appointment in person and obtain the Investor Visa, valid for 2 years
  • Apply for dependents' visas at the consulate of residence
  • Enter Italy within the Investor Visa validity period and apply for the Investor Residence Permit within 8 days of entry. The permit is valid for 2 years from entry
  • Complete the investment within 3 months of entering Italy. Non-compliance results in the process being considered lapsed or revoked
  • In parallel, open a bank account in Italy, as bonds and shares investments require funds to be deposited in a financial institution domiciled in Italy
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Italy Investor Visa?

To qualify, the applicant must be an individual over 18 years old with a clear criminal record and clean source of funds, and must make one of the qualifying investments: EUR 250,000 in an Italian innovative startup, EUR 500,000 in an Italian operating company (listed or unlisted), a donation of at least EUR 1 million in support of a project of public interest in sectors such as culture, education, immigration management, scientific research, or the recovery of cultural assets and landscapes, or EUR 2 million in Italian government bonds.

Who can be included as dependents in the Italy Investor Visa application?

The main applicant's spouse, minor children, adult children dependent due to health conditions, and parents dependent due to health conditions with no other relatives in their country able to support them can be included as dependents.

What are the benefits of the Italy Investor Visa?

The investor residence permit grants the right to live, work, and study in Italy, access to Italy's healthcare and education systems, and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period. The investment or donation is not required until the Nulla Osta has been approved, and there is no language requirement. The investment must be completed within 3 months after entering Italy with the investor visa.

What is the processing time for the Italy Investor Visa?

The typical processing time is 3 to 6 months.

Is travel or residence in Italy required during the Italy Investor Visa application process?

There is no requirement to reside in Italy during the application process. However, applicants must travel to Italy to secure the Italy residence permit within the validity of their investor visa.

What is the general application process for the Italy Investor Visa?

The applicant first submits an online application to obtain the Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment), which typically takes around 30 days. After receiving the Nulla Osta, the applicant applies for an investor visa in person at the local Italian consulate. Upon visa approval, the applicant enters Italy to make the required investment and apply for the Italy residence permit.

Can Italy Investor Visa holders apply for permanent residence and citizenship?

Yes. The program provides a pathway to permanent residence after 5 years of legal and continuous residence, and to Italian citizenship after 10 years, subject to a B1-level Italian language test. The citizenship process may take up to 3 years.

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Italy Golden Visa - Investor visa

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