ResidencyItaly
Italy's Investor Visa: a flexible residence for entrepreneurs and investors, with no minimum-stay obligation.
Italy's Investor Visa gives non-European investors a renewable residence secured through a choice of qualifying investments, from backing an innovative startup to taking a stake in an established Italian company. The programme is built for people who want a European base without being tied down, since there is no minimum-stay requirement to keep the permit alive.
Approval moves quickly by European standards: a committee reviews the file and, on a positive outcome, issues a certificate of no impediment that clears the way for the entry visa. Once in Italy, holders can live, work and study, and their immediate family can join them on the same footing.
Beyond mobility, Italy offers a distinctive tax incentive for new residents, a flat substitute tax on foreign income that appeals to globally diversified investors. CBIProgram prepares the application, coordinates with the consulate and immigration authorities, and keeps the investment documentation aligned with the permit's renewal conditions and the longer path to permanent residence and citizenship.
- Residence requirement: Flexible
Program law
The Italy Investor Visa is governed by Article 26-bis of Legislative Decree 286/1998 (the Consolidated Immigration Law), introduced by Law 232/2016, with qualifying investments defined under Article 73 of the Consolidated Income Tax Act and DL 179/2012 (converted by Law 221/2012).
Key benefits
No Minimum Stay
The residence carries no obligation to spend a set number of days in Italy, suiting investors who travel widely.
Live, Work and Study
Holders may reside, take up employment and enrol in education in Italy, with immediate family included on the same basis.
Flat Tax on Foreign Income
New residents may elect a substitute tax of EUR 100,000 a year on foreign income for up to fifteen years, with family members added at EUR 25,000 each.
Schengen Mobility
The permit allows travel across the Schengen Area, with stays of up to ninety days in any six-month period in other member states.
Fees & costs
Investment options
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Innovative startup or existing Italian company — Eligible targets listed by the Italian Chambers of Commerce under DL 179/2012. | EUR 250,000 |
| Italian joint-stock company — The company must be active and have filed at least one balance sheet by the application date. | EUR 500,000 |
Process & timeline
Sign the retainer, settle the first fee, collect the documents and submit the Nulla Osta application.
The committee evaluates the file; a positive result yields the Nulla Osta, and the entry visa follows an embassy appointment within six months.
Arrive in Italy and lodge the residence application within eight working days; the permit is then issued.
Submit evidence that the qualifying investment has been made within three months of entry.
Eligibility
- Is a third-country national, outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland
- Is at least eighteen years of age
- Completes a qualifying investment in an Italian startup or company
- Holds a clean criminal record and a good reputation
- Is in good health and can provide a medical certificate
- Can demonstrate ownership of the investment funds
Required documents
All applicants
- Valid passport
- Curriculum vitae
- Financial documents evidencing ownership of the investment funds, such as three months of bank statements
- Bank letter
- Evidence of no criminal record
- Passport photograph
Main applicant
- Bank statements clearly showing the investment
- Validation letter for the bank statement signed by an authorised representative
- Share deposit certificate where shares were acquired, with the Italian act of transfer for unlisted companies or a securities dossier for listed ones
Married couples
- Marriage certificate for the spouse
- Proof of accommodation and residence in Italy for accompanying family members
Frequently asked questions
What can I invest in?
You can invest from EUR 250,000 in an innovative startup or existing Italian company, or EUR 500,000 in an Italian joint-stock company that is active and has filed at least one balance sheet.
Is there a minimum-stay requirement?
No. The Investor Visa imposes no minimum stay, so you can keep the residence without living in Italy full time, provided the investment is maintained.
How long is the permit valid?
The residence permit is valid for two years from entry and can be renewed for a further three years as long as the original investment remains in place.
When must I make the investment?
The investment must be completed within three months of entering Italy and kept in place for the full validity of the permit.
What is the flat tax regime?
New residents may opt into a substitute tax of EUR 100,000 per year on foreign income, in place of ordinary Italian income tax, for up to fifteen years. Family members can be added for EUR 25,000 each.
Does this lead to permanent residence or citizenship?
Permanent residence can follow after five years from the initial application, and citizenship may be sought after ten years of tax residency, with timing depending on the case.
Information last verified: 2026-10-29 · Official programme data
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