Elective Residency Visa Italy: A Comprehensive Guide

The Italy Elective Residency Visa (Residenza Elettiva) is a long-term visa for non-EU citizens who have sufficient financial resources and want to live in Italy without working. Sometimes called the Italy Retirement Visa, it is especially suited for retirees or individuals with passive income from pensions, investments, or rental properties.

This visa allows you to settle in Italy, enjoy its rich culture and lifestyle, travel freely within the Schengen Area, and eventually apply for Italian citizenship after meeting the residency requirements.

This article will explore the features of an Elective Residency Visa, the application process, requirements, the benefits of being an Italian elective residence visa holder, and more.

This is what to expect

• What is an Elective Residence Visa?
• Benefits of the Elective Residency Visa for Italy
• What are the eligibility requirements for the Elective Residence Visa?
• Italy Elective Residency Visa Required Documents
• How to Apply for the Italian Elective Residence Visa
• Italy Elective Visa Fees and Costs
• Italy Elective Residency Visa Processing Time
• Italy Elective Visa Renewal Process
• Italy Elective Visa to Italian Citizenship
• Taxes in Italy
• Expert Tips for a Successful Italian Elective Residency Visa Application
• Other Italian Visa Options

The Italy Elective Residency Visa (Residenza Elettiva), also known as the Italy Retirement Visa, is a type of long term visa that allows non-EU citizens to live in Italy without working. It’s intended for individuals or families who have reliable passive income like pensions, investment returns, rental income, or savings and want to enjoy life in Italy without needing employment or making a large investment.

Foreign nationals should not be working in their home country or Italy, as this visa strictly prohibits employment. It’s a residency solution for those who are already financially independent and do not need to work to maintain their lifestyle.

This program is especially attractive for individuals or families who want to retire in Italy without needing to invest in property or a business to obtain the visa.

• Live in Italy full-time: This visa is designed for people who genuinely want to live in Italy year-round. If you’re looking for the best places to retire in Italy, this visa allows you to establish residency by spending at least 183 days per year in the country to maintain your status.
• Visa-free travel in Europe: You can easily travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period across Europe.
• EES and ETIAS exemption: Elective Residency Visa holders are exempt from both the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and the upcoming ETIAS travel authorization, which will be required for most non-EU travelers.
• Access to public healthcare: You must start with private health insurance to apply, but once in Italy, you can register with the public health system (SSN) for about €2,000 per year. This gives you and your family access to high-quality medical care.
• Public education for your family: Applicants can have their children attend Italian public schools and universities, just like locals.
• Bring your family: Spouses and dependent children, including adult children with disabilities, can be included in your application through family reunification.
• Permanent residency: After living in Italy continuously for five years, you can apply for permanent residency, as long as you meet the income and residency requirements.
• Citizenship: After 10 years of legal residence, you may apply for Italian and EU citizenship. Italy allows dual citizenship, so you can usually keep your original passport.
• Tax benefits: New residents may qualify for Italy’s flat tax regime, paying a fixed amount on foreign income instead of regular tax rates, if they are living in Italy and become tax residents. This can be beneficial for high-net-worth individuals.

To qualify for the Elective Residence Visa, you must meet a few requirements like sufficient income from non-employment sources, such as pensions, property ownership, or investments.

Here are some of the additional criteria to be eligible:

• The primary visa applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• The applicant must have stable, sufficient financial resources to live in Italy without working.
• Applicants must have suitable accommodation in Italy, either owned or leased.
  Accommodation requirements vary depending on how many applicants are included. The lease must be valid for at least one year. Hotel bookings or temporary stays are not accepted.
• The applicant cannot work in Italy or remotely for a foreign company.
• Applicants must provide health insurance that covers at least €30,000 per person per year.
• Applicants must have a clean criminal record.
• Applicants must state the reason for their intention to move permanently to Italy

Financial requirements

To qualify for the Elective Residence Visa for Italy, applicants must prove a steady stream of passive income. The minimum financial requirement for 2025 is:

• €32,000 per year for a single applicant.
• €38,000 per year for a married couple.
• An additional €6200 per dependent child.

Savings alone do not qualify as stable passive income, but may support the application.

Qualifying dependents

• Applicant’s spouse who lives with the applicant.
• Children under 18.
• Dependent Children over 18 who are not self-supporting due to their health conditions resulting in permanent inability to earn a living.
• Dependent parents over 65 years old, who do not have any other children in their country of origin or do have children who cannot provide support to their parents because of a serious health issue.
• You need to prove that you can financially support your dependents.

Within 8 days of arriving in Italy, you must register at the local Police Department (Questura) to get your “Declaration of Stay” (Permesso di Soggiorno), the official document that legalizes your stay, and you should keep copies of all documents submitted with your visa application. The Consulate General will review your documents and may ask for additional ones if needed.

Applicants must submit the following:

• Your valid passport. If you are a legal resident but not a citizen of your country, you must also bring your ID or residence permit.
• Visa Application Form: The visa application form must be fully completed and signed by the applicant at the Consulate. The applicant must appear in person to submit it.
• Two passport-style photos.
• Proof of physical residence in the consular district of your country.
• Proof of accommodation in Italy: You must have a lease agreement valid for at least one year or the title deed of a property in Italy, both in your name and covering the visa duration. Provide the original lease and proof that the landlord registered it with the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Tax Authority) if renting. Hospitality from others or hotel stays is not accepted. Your visa will be denied without a lease or deed in your name. If you move later, notify the Questura that issued your permit.
• Proof of substantial, continuous, and stable passive income: Provide bank statements from the last 3 months, letters from banks or financial institutions showing available funds, income, and tax return statements.  Some consulates may require higher income amounts, especially if family members are included.
• Proof of no criminal record.
• Proof of health insurance: Insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries and cover at least €30,000 per person per year.
• Motivation letter: Write a letter explaining your reasons for wanting to move to Italy permanently. Everyone’s reasons are different.

All documents must be translated into Italian and officially legalized.

You must schedule an appointment at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country, collect the required paperwork, pay the visa cost, and then, within eight days of arriving in Italy, apply for a stay permit to apply for an Italian Elective Residence Visa.

Step 1: Gather all the required documents and information.

Step 2: Lease or buy a property in Italy. The lease or deed must be in your name and registered with the Italian Tax Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). The lease should be valid for at least one year.

Step 3: Apply for the Elective Residency Visa at the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate. The visa is valid for one year and can be renewed.

Step 4: Travel to Italy before your visa expires.

Step 5: Apply for your residence permit within eight working days of arrival. This permit lasts one year and is renewable.

Step 6: Register your residence with the Italian Office of Vital Statistics (Anagrafe).

Step 7: Renew your Elective Residency Visa every year.

Step 8: After 5 years of living in Italy legally, you can apply for permanent residence.

Step 9: After 10 years of legal residence, you can apply for Italian citizenship.

What happens when you arrive in Italy?

The first step after arriving in Italy is to apply for the Italian Residence Permit at the Questura. Once this is done, you will get a Tax ID Number (Codice Fiscale). This number is needed to deal with public offices and to access Italy’s public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). Opening an Italian bank account is recommended for convenience, but is not required.

After getting your residence permit, you must register your address with the Italian Office of Vital Statistics (Anagrafe). This registration is essential to prove your stay in Italy when applying for permanent residency or citizenship.

The Italian Elective Residence Permit application fee is €116 per person, and it must be paid in cash or money to the Italian consulate. You also need to show that you make enough money, normally about €32,000 for single people and €38,000 for couples annually.

Cost breakdown

An Italian Elective Residence Visa can take up to 90 days to process. Therefore, it is best to apply at least 90 days before the day you want to depart, as expedited processing is not an option.

The renewal process for the Elective Residency Visa in Italy must be done at the local Questura. To retain residency, holders of the Italian Retirement Visa must reside in Italy for at least 183 days per year. You must show that you still meet the original requirements, including sufficient financial resources and valid health insurance. Applications can be submitted up to 90 days before and up to 60 days after your permit expires.

You can apply for Italian citizenship after receiving an Italian Elective Residency Visa and living in Italy for ten years. You must meet additional requirements, such as having a steady income and a spotless criminal background.

Those living in Italy under the Elective Residency Visa are considered tax residents if they spend more than 183 days a year in the country. As tax residents, they are taxed on their worldwide income, meaning income earned both in and outside of Italy. However, foreign pensions and investment income can benefit from double taxation treaties, which prevent the same income from being taxed twice.

However, foreign pensioners and wealthy individuals may qualify for one of two special tax regimes:

• 7% Flat Tax Regime: If you relocate to a small town (under 20,000 residents) in southern Italy or certain earthquake-affected areas, your foreign income can be taxed at a flat 7% for up to 10 years. To qualify, you must not have been an Italian tax resident in the past five years and must receive passive income or a foreign pension. This regime also exempts you from reporting foreign assets and paying wealth taxes on assets held abroad.
• €200,000 Italy Flat Tax Regime: High-net-worth individuals can choose to pay a flat €200,000 per year on all foreign income, with an option to extend to family members for €25,000 each. This regime also includes exemptions from foreign asset reporting, wealth taxes, and inheritance/gift tax. Capital gains from qualified shareholdings are taxed at 26% in the first five years unless a special tax ruling is filed.

These are some of the best tips from experts at Global Citizen Solutions, who work with clients daily. Immigration lawyer Yanimar Hernandez highlights three key aspects applicants should focus on to ensure a smooth visa process.

1. Work with a trusted immigration agency – Partnering with a reputable immigration advisor helps you prepare documents correctly, understand tax implications, and avoid costly mistakes or delays. Working with a trusted agency like Global Citizen Solutions ensures you’re guided every step of the way. 

“Our support doesn’t end once the visa is issued. It continues after the applicant arrives in their new country, helping with all the steps needed until the residence card is received. At GCS, we also assist with other matters to make the move and settlement as smooth as possible.” 

2. Start gathering documents early – Collecting and legalizing documents such as income proofs, property deeds, and bank statements can take several weeks.

“Many clients tend to underestimate the importance of thoroughly understanding the tax and financial implications of their relocation, as well as the documentation required to demonstrate their legal and financial standing. Commonly overlooked items include proof of sufficient financial means, comprehensive medical insurance, and supporting documents for residence applications.”

3. Plan your application timing carefully – Appointment slots at Italian consulates fill up quickly. Aim to apply at least three to four months before your planned move to Italy and factor in the waiting time.

“Additionally, clients often do not anticipate the time and care needed to compile, organise, and present these documents correctly to the Consulate. Proper preparation at the outset is essential to avoid delays and ensure a smooth progression through both the visa and residence processes.” 

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

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