Italy Golden Visa

Introduction to the Italy Golden Visa

As of June 2025, the Italy Golden Visa continues to attract global investors seeking long-term residency and access to the European Union. Designed to bolster the country’s economy by attracting non-EU high-net-worth individuals, this residency-by-investment program offers a secure and flexible path to live, work, and study in one of Europe’s most culturally rich and economically significant nations. For investors looking to gain visa-free access to the Schengen Area, benefit from favorable taxation, and invest in a stable Eurozone economy, the Italy Golden Visa stands out as a powerful opportunity.

At Notte Global, we provide end-to-end support for those interested in this program—from investment selection to application submission and local legal guidance. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the essentials of the Italy Golden Visa, including its requirements, benefits, investment options, and long-term advantages.

What is the Italy Golden Visa?

The Italy Golden Visa, officially referred to as the Investor Visa for Italy (Visto per Investitori), was introduced in 2017 under Article 26-bis of the Italian Immigration Code. Its goal is to attract foreign capital by granting residency rights to individuals who make qualifying investments in the Italian economy. These investments can be in the form of government bonds, shares in Italian companies, startups, philanthropic donations, or investment funds.

Unlike traditional residency options, the Italy Golden Visa program is geared toward global investors who seek to establish a connection with Europe while enjoying an uncomplicated path to residency and eventual permanent stay. It is also part of Italy’s broader strategy to strengthen economic resilience through international partnerships.

Key Benefits of the Italy Golden Visa

The Italy Golden Visa program offers a wide range of benefits for investors and their family members:

• Residency in Italy and Schengen Access: Investors and their families are granted a renewable two-year residence permit, allowing them to live in Italy and travel freely within the Schengen Area.

• No Minimum Stay Requirement: Unlike many other Golden Visa programs, Italy does not mandate continuous residency to maintain the permit, offering maximum flexibility.

• Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: After 5 years of legal residence, applicants may apply for permanent residency. Citizenship may be available after 10 years.

• Family Reunification: Spouses, children, and dependent parents can be included in the same application, enjoying the same benefits.

• No Wealth Tax on Global Income: As long as the applicant does not become a tax resident of Italy, foreign income is not subject to taxation.

• Efficient Processing: Applications are processed through a fast-track online portal, and pre-approval is typically granted within 30 days.

These advantages make the Italy Golden Visa a leading choice among European investor residency programs—especially for entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and families looking to diversify their assets and mobility options.

Italy Golden Visa Investment Options

The Italian government offers four approved routes for qualifying investments under the Italy Golden Visa scheme. Each path is designed to support the national economy in different ways:

1. Investment in Government Bonds

Investors can allocate €2 million in Italian government bonds. These fixed-income securities provide a low-risk way to contribute to the national treasury while maintaining capital stability.

2. Investment in Italian Companies

A minimum investment of €500,000 in shares of an Italian limited company (S.p.A. or S.r.l.) qualifies for the Golden Visa. This route is ideal for those interested in participating in Italy’s thriving private sector across industries like fashion, automotive, technology, and manufacturing.

3. Investment in Innovative Startups

For those who support innovation and want to engage with Italy’s startup ecosystem, an investment of €250,000 in a certified Italian startup is sufficient. The startup must be registered with the official registry of innovative businesses (Registro delle Imprese).

4. Philanthropic Donation

Applicants can also make a donation of €1 million to a public-interest project in education, culture, immigration, scientific research, or environmental sustainability. This non-refundable donation route provides a way to give back to Italian society while securing residency rights.

Each investment must remain active for a minimum of two years following the issuance of the residence permit. Applicants must demonstrate the availability of funds and transfer the investment after receiving their visa and entering Italy.

Eligibility Requirements for the Italy Golden Visa

To be eligible for the Italy Golden Visa, applicants must meet several criteria beyond the financial investment. First and foremost, applicants must be non-EU citizens over the age of 18 with a clean criminal record. They must also demonstrate that their funds for investment are legally obtained and are available at the time of application. This transparency is a cornerstone of the Italian government’s effort to attract only serious and credible investors.

In addition, applicants are required to obtain a nulla osta (a certificate of no impediment) from the Italian authorities, which is a preliminary step before applying for the visa at an Italian consulate. This document ensures that the investment proposal is valid and meets the program’s requirements. Once this clearance is granted, applicants can proceed to apply for the long-term visa, which leads to residency rights upon arrival in Italy.

Investment Options Under the Italy Golden Visa

The Italy Golden Visa offers multiple investment routes tailored to fit the goals and risk tolerance of different investors. Each option is designed to contribute to Italy’s economic growth while providing the investor with a legal pathway to residency. Understanding the specific requirements of each route is essential for a successful application.

The most popular path is the €500,000 investment in an Italian limited company (S.p.A or S.r.l). This route allows investors to directly support the Italian private sector. The company must be operating and based in Italy, and the investment must be maintained for at least two years. This option is ideal for those seeking both residency and long-term capital appreciation.

For investors with a focus on innovation, the €250,000 investment in an innovative startup is a lower-cost alternative. This is Italy’s most affordable Golden Visa path, targeting early-stage tech and R&D-focused businesses. However, this path may carry more risk due to the nature of startups and limited secondary market liquidity.

A third option is to contribute €1 million to a philanthropic initiative supporting areas like education, culture, immigration management, or scientific research. While this option offers no financial return, it appeals to investors motivated by social impact and long-term EU residency rights.

Finally, the €2 million investment in Italian government bonds is a conservative route preferred by high-net-worth individuals who seek stability. The bonds must be held for a minimum of two years, and the funds must be sourced from outside Italy.

Benefits of the Italy Golden Visa Program

The Italy Golden Visa offers more than just residency; it opens doors to a European lifestyle, global mobility, and wealth diversification. Among its most notable benefits is visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone, allowing residents to move freely within 27 European countries.

Another key advantage is no minimum stay requirement. Unlike many other EU residency programs, Italy does not obligate investors to reside full-time in the country, making it ideal for global entrepreneurs and families who divide their time across multiple jurisdictions.

The visa also allows family reunification, meaning spouses, minor children, and dependent adult children can all be included in the application. Additionally, holders of the Italy Golden Visa can upgrade to permanent residency after five years and apply for Italian citizenship after 10 years, provided they meet the physical presence and integration criteria.

Perhaps most importantly for many applicants, Italy does not automatically consider Golden Visa holders to be tax residents. This flexibility allows investors to manage their global income efficiently while still benefiting from EU residency rights.

Italy Golden Visa Application Process Step-by-Step

Navigating the Italy Golden Visa process can be complex, but with expert guidance, it becomes a clear and manageable journey. At Notte Global, the process is fully handled from end to end, ensuring a smooth experience for investors and their families.

The first step is selecting the appropriate investment route and preparing a comprehensive application dossier. This includes proof of available funds, a business or investment plan (especially for startups), clean criminal records, and valid identification.

Next, the investor must apply for the nulla osta from the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. This pre-clearance takes about 30 days and confirms the legitimacy of the investment.

Once approved, the investor submits a visa application at the nearest Italian consulate. If granted, the investor travels to Italy to receive the residence permit, valid for an initial two years and renewable for three more years, provided the investment remains intact.

Within eight days of arrival in Italy, the applicant must complete local administrative formalities, including registration at the local immigration office. Notte Global supports every step of this process, including translation, document preparation, and legal representation.

Taxation and Financial Considerations for Golden Visa Holders

Italy offers significant tax flexibility to Golden Visa recipients. Residency under the Golden Visa does not automatically trigger tax residency unless the individual resides in Italy for more than 183 days in a calendar year. This allows investors to maintain their global tax structures without immediate changes.

Additionally, Italy offers a lump-sum tax regime for new residents, where foreign income can be taxed at a fixed €100,000 annually, regardless of the amount earned. This is an attractive incentive for high-net-worth individuals seeking tax efficiency alongside EU access.

Italy Golden Visa and the Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

One of the most compelling reasons to apply for the Italy Golden Visa is the opportunity to eventually obtain permanent residency and even Italian citizenship. While the initial permit provides a legal stay in Italy for five years (2 years initially + 3-year renewal), it also opens the door to full integration into the European Union.

To qualify for permanent residency, Golden Visa holders must legally reside in Italy for at least five consecutive years. This means maintaining a valid residence permit and spending more than half of each year in Italy (over 183 days annually). During this period, investors must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient and have adequate health insurance. After five years, applicants can apply for permanent resident status, which removes the requirement to maintain the original investment.

Once permanent residency is granted, the next milestone is Italian citizenship, which becomes available after 10 years of legal residency. Citizenship grants full rights as an Italian and EU citizen, including the right to live, work, and vote in any EU country. The citizenship application process requires evidence of integration into Italian society, such as knowledge of the Italian language, a clean criminal record, and proof of sustained residency.

While the residency requirements for citizenship are more demanding than those for the visa itself, the long-term benefits are substantial. Italian citizenship is considered one of the strongest in the world, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 190 countries.