Citizenship & Residency by Investment | International Mobility Solutions

Italy

Golden Visa Program

FACTSHEET Italy factsheet is available for download

About

Capital: Rome

Population: 58,915,561

Language: Italian

GDP per capita: $41,091 USD

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Visa-Free Countries: More than 170 countries including the Schengen Area, USA (with ETA), Canada (with ETA), UK (with ETA), Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Mauritius, Philippines, South Korea.

Italy Golden Visa Program Overview

Officially known as the Italy Investor Visa, the Italy Golden Visa is one of the most attractive investor residency programs in Europe and the Schengen Area. It offers foreign investors and their immediate family members (spouse and minor children) the opportunity to obtain an Italian residence permit without the obligation to move their main residence to Italy.

Advantages

• No Upfront Investment Required: The required investment is made only after the visa is approved and must be completed within three months from the investor's arrival in Italy.

• Right to Work and Freedom to Establish a Business: Both the investor and their spouse are allowed to work in Italy. Provided that the relevant legal requirements are met, the residence permit can also be converted into a work permit.

• Priority Visa Processing: Investor Visa applications are evaluated with priority by Italian Consulates, and processing times typically range from one to two weeks.

• No Minimum Stay Requirement: The Investor Visa is the only Italian residency option that does not require the holder to spend a minimum amount of time in Italy, making it an ideal alternative for internationally traveling investors.

• Italy as a Strategic European Hub: Italy's central position in Europe offers excellent connectivity between major European and international markets by providing uninterrupted access to the Schengen Area. Combined with its renowned lifestyle, infrastructure, and quality of services, Italy serves as an ideal hub for investors seeking access to Europe without relocation constraints.

• Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: If the investor chooses to become a tax resident in Italy and complies with local tax requirements, permanent residency can be requested after five years, and they can qualify for Italian citizenship after ten years.

• Advantageous Tax Position: Spending less than 183 days a year in Italy can help avoid Italian tax residency, subject to certain conditions.

Conditions

Main Applicant

The main applicant must meet ALL of the following requirements:

• A fully completed application form, duly signed with a digital signature.

• A detailed resume outlining the applicant's professional background.

• Confirmation of the selected qualifying investment type.

• A bank letter confirming sufficient funds and completed due diligence in compliance with FATF anti-money laundering standards.

• Police clearance certificates from all countries of residence over the last ten years, confirming a clean criminal record.

Qualifying Dependent Family Members

To qualify as a dependent family member, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

• Spouse

• Children under 18

• Dependent children over 18*

• Dependent parents* or

• Parents over 65*

*under specific special conditions

Investment Options

• Investing at least €250,000 in equity instruments of an innovative Startup company established and operating in Italy

• Investing at least €500,000 in equity instruments of a company established and operating in Italy

• Purchasing government bonds of at least €2 million

• Making a philanthropic donation of at least €1 million supporting public interest projects in the fields of culture, education, immigration, scientific research, and recovery of cultural assets and landscapes

Process Overview

Total Processing Time: 1-2 weeks

Step 1

Submission of the application

Step 2

Approval of the application by the Ministry (30-60 days)

Step 3

Golden Visa application

Step 4

Arrival in Italy and application for residence permit

Step 5

Making the investment (within 3 months from the date of arrival)

Step 6

Maintenance and renewal of the residence permit

Note: The investor must maintain the original qualifying investment for the entire duration of the residence permit. Any modification or withdrawal of the investment will result in the revocation of the permit and prevent its renewal.

The investor residence permit is valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely for additional three-year periods, provided the investment is maintained.

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