Italy Golden Visa 2025: Requirements, Costs & Timeline

Italy Golden Visa, also known as the Investor Visa for Italy, is a residency-by-investment program that allows foreign investors and their families to obtain residency in Italy by making a significant investment in the Italian economy. The visa has helped attract foreign capital to the country and comes with several benefits for investors. After five years of holding a temporary residence permit, the Italian Golden Visa provides a route to permanent residence in Italy.

Along with residency, the Golden Visa in Italy offers numerous benefits, such as the right to live, work, and study in Italy, the ability to travel freely across the Schengen Area, and access to healthcare and education.

In this article, we will explore the key features of the Italian Golden Visa, including the application process, investment options, eligibility criteria, and the benefits of holding this visa for individuals and their families.

This is more of what we will cover:

• What is the Italy Golden Visa program?
• What are the benefits of an Italian Investor Visa?
• Who is eligible for the Italian Investor Visa?
• Italy Golden Visa Investment Options
• Italy Golden Visa Required Documents
• How to Apply for the Italian Investor Visa: Step-by-Step Guide
• Italy Golden Visa Application Processing Time

Key takeaways about Italy Golden Visa

Program Overview

Italy introduced the Investor Visa (Visto per Investitori) in 2017 to attract foreign investment and boost the economy. It is a residence-by-investment program aimed at non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have a clean criminal record, sufficient funds for the investment, and proof of the lawful origin of funds. No minimum education or language requirement is necessary.

Investment Options

(one must be chosen): €250,000 in an innovative start-up incorporated in Italy, €500,000 in an Italian limited company (S.p.A. or S.r.l.), €2 million in Italian government bonds, and €1 million donation to a public-interest project, such as culture, education, or immigration management.

Real Estate Not Eligible

Investment in property does not qualify for the Investor Visa—Italy’s program is focused on business and development investments.

Residence Permit Terms

The Investor Visa grants a 2-year residence permit, renewable for 3 additional years, as long as the investment is maintained. There is no physical stay requirement, but registering with the Anagrafe (local registry office) is recommended for those planning to stay long-term.

Processing Time

The process is fast and takes 3 to 4 months for approval, with pre-clearance granted by Italy’s Investor Visa Committee before applying for the visa at a consulate..

The Italy Golden Visa, also known as the Investor Visa for Italy, is a residency by investment program that allows non-EU citizens to obtain legal residence in Italy by making a significant financial investment in the country.

The visa application process is quick and grants a two-year residence permit, which can be renewed for three more years. To qualify for the Investor Visa, applicants can choose to invest in innovative startups, a company based  and operating in Italy, government bonds, or make a philanthropic donation.

The Italy Golden Visa gives investors and their families the chance to live in Italy, a country known for its rich culture, great food, and beautiful places like Lake Como, Tuscany, and the Dolomites. It also offers good healthcare, strong education, and a stable economy.

Main Applicant

• The primary applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• A qualifying investment or donation must be made as per government requirements.
• A clean criminal record certificate and Certificates of No Pending Charges must be provided.
• Private health insurance
• Proof of funds must include the following:
  • A bank letter states compliance with FATF international anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism standards.
  • A self-declaration of the investment.
  • A board resolution accepting the investment.
  • If required, a lawyer or accountant must certify a declaration confirming the availability and legal origin of funds.
• The investment or donation must be completed within three months of entering Italy.
• Payment of the required fees.

Qualifying Family Members

• Spouse
• Children under 18
• Dependent children over 18 who are unable to support themselves due to permanent health conditions
• Dependent parents who do not have other children to support them in their home country, or parents over 65 who their other children cannot support.

An Italian investor visa can only be issued for one type of investment, and you cannot combine different investments. You must maintain the investment for at least five years to keep your residence permit.

• €2 million in Italian government bonds
• €500,000 in equity in an Italian limited company
• €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup
• €1 million in philanthropic donations to arts, culture, research, education, environment, etc.

When applying for the Italy Investor Visa, you’ll need to prepare different sets of documents: the general documents needed for the Nulla Osta, the Italy Golden visa application process, and the different documents needed for each investment option chosen.

The Nulla Osta is a certificate issued by the Investor Visa for Italy Committee. It confirms that the choice of the investment meets the requirements of the visa. This certificate is required before you can apply for the Investor Visa itself.

General documents for the Nulla Osta

• Contact details of the main applicant
• Valid passport, with at least 2 years and 3 months remaining
• Two recent passport photos
• Clean criminal record from any country where you’ve lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years (from age 18)
• Updated CV showing your professional background and qualifications
• Details of your investment choice and proof that your financial assets are legal and transferable
• Description of the investment or donation, with proof that the recipients agree to it
• Signed declaration of commitment to invest the funds, including how much you’ll invest and where you plan to live in Italy
• Proof of authority if someone is applying on behalf of a company

Documents for the Investor Visa Application

• Copy of the Nulla Osta (certificate of no impediment) and all original documents submitted
• Proof of accommodation in Italy (hotel booking or lease agreement)
• The applicant must prove the legitimacy of the source of the funds to be invested
• One passport-style photo
• Your passport
• Proof of residence in the consular area where you’re applying.

Documents for the investment options

After arriving in Italy, you will have eight days to apply for a residence permit. The investment for the option chosen must also be made within three months of being in Italy. These are the steps to follow for the Italy Golden Visa process.

You must have an Italian bank account as part of the Italy Investor Visa application. Depending on the bank, this can be done remotely or in person. In either case, you’ll need to provide:

• Valid passport
• Italian tax code (Codice Fiscale)
• Proof of address
• Proof of financial means

Once opened, this account will transfer your qualifying investment as part of the application process.

These are the average costs of the Italy Golden Visa. However, it is important to notes that legal fees are not fixed or official; this is an estimated private service fee charged by immigration law firms or consultants for processing and support, as it varies by firm.

The residence permit for the Investor Visa for Italy is valid for two years. During this time, you can enter Italy and apply for a residence permit.

The investor residence permit is also valid for two years, starting from the day you arrive in Italy. After two years, you can apply for a three-year renewal.

The main condition for you to renew your Italy Investor Visa is to keep your investment in the country and maintain a valid residence permit. With at least 60 days before your current residence permit expires, you can apply for a new three-year residence permit. Make sure to have a new application before applying for a renewal.

You should also know that Italy’s Golden Visa scheme renewal is subject to approval or rejection by the Italy Investor Visa Committee, so prepare your documents carefully.

Based on Italian immigration law, the Italy Investor Visa does not provide an Italy citizenship by investment program. However, by living in the country for ten consecutive years (five years through the Italy Investment Visa and five after obtaining permanent residency), you can petition for Italian citizenship by naturalization to become an Italian citizen and acquire an Italian passport.

Does Italy allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Italy allows dual citizenship. Italian citizens can hold citizenship in another country without losing their Italian citizenship. Similarly, foreign nationals can become Italian citizens without renouncing their original citizenship, as long as they meet the necessary legal requirements.

The Italian non-domiciled tax regime allows new residents to pay a flat €200,000 annual tax on all foreign income, regardless of type. However, capital gains from selling large shareholdings (over 20% in private companies or 2% in listed ones) during the first five years are taxed at the regular 26% rate unless you get an exemption through a special ruling.

To qualify, you must move your tax residence to Italy and not have been a tax resident there for at least 9 of the past 10 years, which must be proven with a ruling request to the Agenzia delle Entrate, along with a checklist showing your ties such as property, work, and finances. The regime lasts up to 15 years, can extend to family members for €25,000 per person, and offers exemptions from foreign asset reporting, wealth taxes, and inheritance taxes during that time.

As previously mentioned, the Italy Golden Visa program is a very appealing investment program, and many non-EU citizens choose to obtain the Italian Golden Visa. However, there are other European alternatives, including

• The Portugal Golden Visa offers investment options like capital transfer, job creation, or funding scientific research. It provides residency in Portugal and access to the Schengen Area, with potential citizenship after five years.
• The Greece Golden Visa requires real estate investment. It grants residency in Greece, visa-free access to the Schengen Area, and eligibility for citizenship after seven years.
• The Cyprus Golden Visa requires investment in real estate or business. It grants permanent residency in Cyprus, with fast-track processing and the ability to include family members. Citizenship is possible after five years of legal residence.
• The Malta Golden Visa requires a three-part investment of property investment, government contribution, and donation. It offers permanent residency in Malta, access to the Schengen Area, and the option to apply for citizenship after five years of residency.

If you are looking for Italian residency without needing to invest, Italy also has the Italy Elective Visa Residency, which is also known as the Retirement Visa. It allows people to live in Italy if they have enough money to support themselves without working. You must show proof of passive income, such as pensions or rent.  You cannot work in Italy or your home country with this visa.

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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