Investor Visa for Italy
The Italian investor visa used to be one of the most expensive options for a long-term move to the country. But in May 2020, Italian authorities decided to lower the threshold for investors significantly, so now required investments start from €250,000. The investor is issued a residence permit for two years, which can then be extended for three. You can apply for permanent residence after five years of living in the country, and for citizenship after another five years. You can take the whole family with you.
Program's details
- Minimum investment €250 000
- A large selection of asset types
- Special tax regime
- Quick deriving in 3-4 months
- Residence permit for the whole family Spouses, children, parents
- Visa-free travelling withing the Schengen area
- The right to work and study in Italy
- Permanent residence and citizenship in the future
The official website of the program
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About the Program
Italy launched a special program for foreign investors who are ready to make a significant contribution to the country's economy at the end of 2017. In return they can get a two-year residence permit and the ability to move freely in the Schengen area. The permit can be extended for three years afterwards, provided that the investments made are preserved.
Foreigners can choose whether to extend the investor's residence permit for the next three years or apply for a residence permit in the EU for long-term residents (permanent residence) after five years of permanent residence in Italy.
It is necessary to invest after obtaining approval for a visa, within three months after entering Italy. Capital must be retained for at least two years, during which it is not allowed to change the initial investment portfolio.
Holders of investor residence permits (unlike those who move to Italy as a financially independent person) can conduct any business in the country or get a job for hire.
Investment Options
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€2 000 000
government bondsTreasury certificates (CCT/CCTeu), coupon-free Treasury bonds (CTZ), long-term Treasury bonds (BTP), long-term treasury bonds linked to the inflation index in the eurozone, BTP ITALIA special government bonds.
Each type of securities requires a minimum remaining maturity of at least two years.
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€1 000 000
charitable contributionA donation to support a project of public interest in the field of culture, education, immigration, management, scientific research, preservation of cultural and natural heritage. The capital is not returned.
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€500 000
assets of companiesСompany's shares or shares of limited liability companies registered and operating in Italy. A legal entity is considered "active" if it has submitted at least one balance as of the date of application for a visa.
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€250 000
investing in a startupShares or shares of companies that belong to the category of innovative startups. The official list of such projects is updated every week and is available on the state portal startup.registroimprese.it
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Requirements for Applicants
A citizen of any country outside the EU and the Schengen area who has reached the age of 18 has the right to request an investment residence permit. Moreover, it is necessary to invest capital as an individual, applications from companies are not accepted.
The application can include not only a spouse and minor children, but also parents, siblings and adult children. The last three categories only in case of dependency on the applicant or with mental/physical disabilities that do not allow them to live independently.
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Documents
- An application form
- Two coloured photos
- A written consent of the applicant for future investment in the Italian economy
- A bank statement showing the availability of the required amount for investment
- A certificate of stable permanent income to support yourself and your family or a bank statement
- Documents on the origin of invested and available funds
- Documents for the ownership of real estate in Italy or a long-term lease agreement
- Medical insurance for a year or more
- A certificate of no criminal resord
- Marriage certificate, birth certificate (when moving with family)
Additional Expenses
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State fees
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First residence permit:
€50 for a residence permit lasting 1-2 years.
No fee is charged for minor children.Prolongation: €100
Production of a plastic card: €30.5
Stamp duty: €16
Post office services: €30
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Legal expenses
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Consulting, filling out a questionnaire, collecting documents: €2,000-20,000 depending on the scope of work
A power of attorney: €100
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Rights and Obligations
The applicant has the right to:
- Work freely, open a business in Italy.
- Apply for a special Flat Tax regime. It is beneficial for those whose foreign annual income exceeds €800,000. Allows tax residents of Italy to pay a fixed amount of tax on foreign income - €100,000 per year. The preference is valid for 15 years. The amount is paid every year in one payment. However, on the income received in Italy, the tax is calculated in the usual way - according to the current progressive scale (23-43%).
- Use free medical services, study at universities in Italy, send children to school/university.
- Travel freely in the countries of the Schengen area.
- After two years, apply for an extension and get a residence permit for three years. After five years of living in the country, apply for permanent residence, after another five - apply for citizenship.
- Do not give up the main citizenship in favor of the Italian one in Italy it is permissible to have two citizenship.
The applicant is obligated to:
- invest in the selected type of assets within three months after moving to the country.
- become a tax resident of Italy.
- keep investments during the entire validity period of the residence permit.
- Italian legislation does not have clear requirements for the number of days an investor must stay in the country in order to extend the permit in the future. However, it is expected that the applicant will not be absent from Italy for more than 365 days during the entire validity period of the card.
The procedure for obtaining
