Italy Investor Visa: Requirements and How to Apply

The Italy investor visa, often called the Italian golden visa, gives non-EU investors a two-year visa for committing capital to a qualifying Italian asset. There are four categories on the official portal: €2 million in government bonds, €500,000 in a company, €250,000 in an innovative startup, or €1 million in a philanthropic project. Buying a home is not on the list.

Applications start on the government's Investor Visa for Italy portal, where a committee issues a clearance (nulla osta) before you apply at a consulate. The program is currently suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens. This page is a guide, not legal or investment advice.

Who qualifies

Non-EU citizens who commit funds from lawful sources to one of the four categories and meet the committee's checks. Russian and Belarusian citizens, including those who hold a second passport alongside one of them, are excluded under the current suspension. Italy's program is usually grouped with other European golden visas, so compare it with Greece and Portugal before deciding.

Investment requirement

The official portal lists four routes:

• €2 million in Italian government bonds
• €500,000 in an Italian capital company (shares or bonds)
• €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup
• €1 million in a philanthropic initiative in areas such as culture, education, research or heritage

The lowest threshold is the €250,000 startup route, which carries real business risk. Residential real estate does not qualify as an investment category on the official page.

Documents you'll need

• Application submitted through investorvisa.mise.gov.it for the committee's nulla osta
• Evidence of the lawful source of your funds and of the planned investment
• Passport valid for at least two years, with two blank pages (per the London consulate page)
• Passport photo and travel documents; a one-way travel reservation for the consulate visit
• Proof of legal residence in the consulate's district
• Documents apostilled or legalized, with translations as required

Step-by-step application

1. Choose a category and review the official guidelines manual linked on the portal.
2. Submit your application on the platform and receive the committee's nulla osta.
3. Book an appointment at an Italian consulate and apply for the visa in person.
4. Enter Italy on the visa and apply for a residence permit at the Questura.
5. Complete the investment as the guidelines manual requires; timing rules are in the manual, not on the portal's front page.
6. Renew before expiry; renewal terms are not stated on the official page, so check the manual.

Costs and timeline

The official page does not give fees or a processing time. Expect consulate and permit fees in addition to the investment, and legal, tax and advisory costs. Ask the committee's contact for the current clearance timeframe before committing funds.

Taxes once you're resident

Spending more than 183 days in Italy generally makes you an Italian tax resident taxed on worldwide income, with IRPEF bands of 23%, 33% and 43% in 2026 plus local surcharges. A flat tax on foreign-source income for new residents, reported at €300,000 a year from 2026, may be an option for wealthy applicants but has conditions. Take advice before investing, because the tax position and the investment structure interact.

Family members

Spouses and children can usually join as family members, subject to the visa rules; confirm eligibility and age limits with the consulate.

Alternatives

Citizens who want a lower threshold can look at the digital nomad visa (income route) or the elective residency visa (no work allowed). To compare golden visas across Europe:

Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page — confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.

Rules change, so confirm requirements with the committee, a consulate or a qualified advisor.