Italian Immigration: Visa and Residence Assistance
Moving to Italy: choosing the right visa
Moving to Italy for more than a short visit requires the correct immigration status. The type of visa you need depends primarily on the purpose of your stay, your professional or business plans and your financial circumstances.
Italy offers several types of long-stay visas for non-EU citizens, including visas for employment, self-employment, study, family reasons, elective residence, investment and innovative entrepreneurship.
Choosing the correct visa at the outset is essential. A visa is not simply a travel document: it determines the legal basis on which you may enter and reside in Italy and, in many cases, the activities you may carry out while living there.
For stays of more than 90 days, the relevant visa is generally a national long-stay visa (Type D). After entering Italy, the foreign national must normally apply for the corresponding residence permit within eight working days. The residence permit then allows the holder to lawfully reside in Italy for the purpose for which the visa was issued.
Our firm assists foreign nationals in identifying the most appropriate immigration route, preparing the application and supporting documentation, liaising with the relevant Italian authorities and consulate, and assisting with the subsequent residence permit procedure in Italy.
Which Italian visa is right for you?
The main options include:
Employment Visa
For non-EU nationals who have an offer of employment from an Italian employer. The procedure generally involves an authorisation (nulla osta) and is subject to specific immigration and, where applicable, quota requirements.
Self-Employment Visa
For individuals intending to carry out an independent professional, entrepreneurial or other self-employed activity in Italy. Different procedures and requirements apply depending on the nature of the proposed activity.
Study Visa
For students admitted to an Italian university, school or other recognised educational institution. The visa permits residence in Italy for the duration and purpose of the relevant study programme, subject to the applicable conditions.
Elective Residence Visa
For individuals who wish to live in Italy without working and who have sufficient, stable and independent financial resources to support themselves without carrying out employment or self-employment activities in Italy.
Investor Visa
For non-EU citizens who intend to make a qualifying substantial investment in Italy. It is particularly suitable for high-net-worth individuals who wish to establish a long-term presence in Italy while making an investment that falls within the categories recognised by Italian law.
Startup Visa
For non-EU entrepreneurs who intend to establish and develop an innovative startup in Italy. The programme is specifically designed for entrepreneurs whose business project has a significant technological or innovative component.
Among these options, the Investor Visa, Elective Residence Visa and Startup Visa are particularly relevant to international entrepreneurs, investors, professionals and high-net-worth individuals seeking to establish themselves in Italy.
Investor Visa for Italy
Who is it for?
The Italian Investor Visa is designed for non-EU citizens who intend to make a significant investment in Italy.
It can be an attractive solution for an individual who wishes to establish a long-term presence in Italy while investing in an Italian company, an innovative startup, Italian government bonds or a qualifying philanthropic initiative.
Unlike an ordinary self-employment visa, the Investor Visa does not require the applicant to obtain a job offer or to establish an ordinary business in Italy. The essential requirement is the commitment to make and maintain one of the investments expressly recognised by Italian law.
What investment is required?
The current programme provides for four alternative investment routes:
- €2 million in Italian government bonds;
- €500,000 in an Italian company;
- €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup;
- €1 million in a philanthropic initiative in Italy.
The investment must satisfy the legal requirements and must be properly documented.
How long does the Investor Visa last?
The Investor Visa is issued for two years.
After entering Italy, the applicant must apply for the corresponding investor residence permit. The residence permit initially lasts two years from entry into Italy.
If the investment has been maintained and the relevant conditions continue to be satisfied, the residence permit may be renewed for a further three years. There is no statutory limit on the number of renewals.
Family members
The Investor Visa route can also facilitate the residence in Italy of eligible family members, subject to the applicable requirements and evidence of adequate financial resources.
Who may benefit from this visa?
The Investor Visa may be particularly suitable for:
- entrepreneurs and business owners;
- investors;
- high-net-worth individuals;
- shareholders or directors of international companies;
- individuals wishing to establish a long-term presence in Italy;
- individuals interested in investing in an Italian company or innovative startup.
The most appropriate investment structure should be assessed before the application is filed, as the choice of investment affects both the documentation and the subsequent compliance requirements.
Elective Residence Visa
Who is it for?
The Elective Residence Visa is intended for non-EU citizens who wish to establish their residence in Italy and who have sufficient independent financial resources to support themselves without working in Italy.
It is therefore particularly suitable for individuals who have substantial and stable income or assets, such as:
- pension income;
- annuities;
- income from investments and securities;
- income from real estate;
- other stable and documented sources of passive or independent income.
The essential feature is that the applicant must be able to live in Italy without relying on employment or self-employment in Italy.
Who is it not for?
The Elective Residence Visa is not an employment visa and not a business visa.
The holder cannot use it to work in Italy or to seek employment. It is also not intended as a way of extending a tourist stay in Italy.
This distinction is particularly important when assessing the applicant's circumstances before applying.
Financial requirements
There is no single universally applicable income figure that guarantees the issuance of the visa. The applicant must demonstrate substantial, stable and reliable financial resources sufficient to support the proposed residence.
Italian diplomatic missions examine the applicant's financial situation and may require detailed documentation concerning the source, continuity and availability of the applicant's resources.
The applicant should therefore be prepared to provide comprehensive evidence of income, assets and financial resources.
Accommodation in Italy
The applicant must normally demonstrate that suitable accommodation is available in Italy, for example through a registered lease or ownership of a property.
Duration
The Elective Residence Visa is a national long-stay visa (Type D) and may be issued for a period of more than 90 days, generally up to one year.
After entering Italy, the applicant must apply for the corresponding residence permit. The residence permit must subsequently be renewed in accordance with the applicable rules and provided that the conditions for elective residence continue to be satisfied.
Family members
Eligible family members may also be able to obtain residence in Italy, provided that the main applicant demonstrates sufficient financial resources to support them. The applicable requirements depend on the family relationship and the circumstances of the individual case.
Who may benefit from this visa?
The Elective Residence Visa is often appropriate for:
- retirees wishing to relocate to Italy;
- individuals with substantial independent income;
- individuals living from investments or other stable sources of income;
- financially independent individuals who wish to make Italy their home;
- families wishing to relocate to Italy without the main applicant undertaking employment there.
If you intend to work, manage a business or carry out a professional activity in Italy, a different immigration route will normally be required.
Italia Startup Visa
Who is it for?
The Italia Startup Visa is designed for non-EU citizens who intend to establish an innovative startup in Italy.
It is not a general visa for anyone wishing to open a business in Italy. The proposed company must meet the specific legal requirements applicable to an Italian innovative startup.
The programme is aimed at entrepreneurs whose projects have a significant technological and innovative component, including projects involving research and development, intellectual property or innovative products and services.
What does the applicant need?
The applicant must present a credible and sufficiently developed business project.
The application generally includes:
- an application form;
- the applicant's curriculum vitae and professional background;
- a detailed description of the startup project;
- the business model;
- information concerning the proposed product or service;
- a business plan and financial forecasts;
- evidence of the financial resources available for the project;
- a valid passport.
The official programme requires evidence of at least €50,000 in financial resources available for the innovative startup. These resources may come from the applicant, investors, venture capital funds, crowdfunding or other eligible sources.
Innovative startup requirement
The proposed company must qualify as an Italian innovative startup.
Among other requirements, the company must be a qualifying limited company or cooperative and must be primarily engaged in technological innovation. It must also satisfy at least one of the statutory criteria relating, for example, to research and development expenditure, highly qualified personnel or intellectual property.
This means that a conventional business idea — such as an ordinary restaurant, retail business or consultancy — will not normally qualify simply because it is newly established.
How does the procedure work?
The application is initially submitted to the Italia Startup Visa Committee.
If the project is approved, the Committee issues a Nulla Osta. The applicant can then apply for the startup self-employment visa at the competent Italian Embassy or Consulate.
The official programme indicates that the Committee's assessment is normally completed within 30 days from submission of a complete application.
After entering Italy, the applicant must apply for the corresponding residence permit.
Duration
The initial Startup Visa is generally issued for one year.
After the first year, the entrepreneur may obtain a further two-year self-employment residence permit, provided that the startup has been established and the applicable requirements continue to be satisfied.
Certified incubators
The programme also provides a route for applicants whose startup project is supported by an Italian certified incubator.
The involvement of a certified incubator can be particularly useful for entrepreneurs who are already developing a project within the Italian startup ecosystem.
