Italy Investor Visa
A fast-track residency for those making significant contributions to the Italian economy.
For: Major investors.Estimated Timeline
2-3 months for the visa
The Application Process
Step by step, from start to approval.
Nulla Osta Online
Investor Visa Italy is filed entirely online through the dedicated portal of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MIMIT, formerly MISE). The Investor Visa Committee evaluates origin of funds, the investment plan, and the chosen vehicle.
- Choose your route: €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian limited company (S.p.A. or S.r.l.), €1,000,000 philanthropic donation, or €2,000,000 in Italian government bonds (held for at least 2 years).
- Origin-of-funds documentation is the most rigorous part: full traceability over at least 12 months, signed bank declarations, and tax clearance from the country where the funds were generated.
- Investment commitment letter: a signed undertaking to deploy the funds within 3 months of entering Italy.
- Decisions from the Investor Visa Committee usually arrive within 30 to 60 days of filing.
Visa Issuance
With the Nulla Osta, you collect the visa at the Italian consulate covering your area of residence. The visa is valid for entry and lets you become resident; the actual investment is executed inside Italy after arrival.
- Consular fee is approximately €116 per applicant.
- Family members (spouse, dependent children, dependent parents) can be included on the same file at the same time.
- The visa is valid for 2 years and is issued as a 'D' long-stay multi-entry stamp.
- Dependents do not need their own investment: they qualify as family of the principal investor.
Execution of Investment
Within 3 months of entering Italy, you must complete the investment as committed. The Committee verifies execution through bank confirmations, share certificates, or donation receipts before the residence permit is finalised.
- Failure to execute on time triggers cancellation of the visa and any related family permits.
- Funds must be transferred from outside Italy: existing Italian-resident wealth typically does not qualify.
- For startup or limited-company routes, the company must be Italian-registered and tax compliant; due diligence on the target company is the investor's responsibility.
- For government bonds, the holding period is at least 2 years; early divestment cancels the residence.
2-Year Permit
Once the Committee confirms execution, the Questura issues the first residence permit, valid for 2 years. It's renewable for successive 3-year periods provided the investment is maintained.
- After 5 years of legal residence, you become eligible for an EU long-term residence permit.
- After 10 years of legal residence, you can apply for Italian citizenship by naturalisation.
- Tax residency depends on physical presence and Anagrafe registration: the visa itself doesn't force you to become an Italian tax resident.
- Italy's flat-tax regime for new residents (currently €200,000 per year on foreign-source income, fixed for up to 15 years) is a popular companion structure for Investor Visa holders.
Core Requirements
What you need to qualify for this visa.
Investment of €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup
OR €500,000 in an Italian limited company (S.p.A. or S.r.l.)
OR €1,000,000 philanthropic donation in education, research, or culture
OR €2,000,000 in Italian government bonds (held for at least 2 years)
Clean criminal record and full origin-of-funds documentation traceable for at least 12 months
Do You Qualify?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you meet the key requirements for this visa.
Can you invest at least €250,000 in a startup, €500,000 in an Italian company, or €2,000,000 in government bonds?
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