Sign in
Flag of Italy
Residence by investment

Italy Investor Visa

Invest only after approval, plus an optional €300,000 flat-tax regime.

Minimum investment
€250,000
Passport visa waiver (on citizenship)
186
Processing
3–6 months
Visit / stay
No minimum stay

Buy online · 2026

Italy Startup Investor Visa

Apply Italy residence by investment programme today. Minimum investment €250,000 onwards.

  1. ReserveUS$500 online
  2. Pre-eligibilityDue diligence screening
  3. Submit & investPaid to the government
  4. Residence permit3–6 months

Investment options · Frequently asked questions

Overview

Italy's Investor Visa grants a two-year residence permit, renewable for three years at a time, to non-EU investors who invest €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian company, €1 million in a philanthropic project, or €2 million in Italian government bonds. Capital is committed only after the government has issued its approval (nulla osta), so there is no upfront risk.

Applications take around 3–6 months and there is no minimum stay. New residents can also opt for Italy's lump-sum tax regime on foreign income.

Key benefits

  1. Invest only after government approval – no upfront capital risk
  2. No minimum stay requirement
  3. Visa waiver travel throughout the 29-country Schengen Area
  4. Spouse, children and dependent parents included
  5. Optional flat-tax regime: a fixed annual tax on all foreign income, whatever the amount
  6. Startup route from €250,000 in Italy's innovation economy
  7. Renewable permit, in three-year periods, while the investment is held
  8. Permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years of residence – an EU passport with access to 186 destinations
  9. Access to Italy's world-class healthcare, schools and universities
  10. Fast processing: typically 3–6 months
  11. Live in a G7 economy with an unmatched culture and lifestyle

Investment options

Innovative startup

Listed on the official startup register.

€250,000

Italian limited company

Direct shareholding.

€500,000

Philanthropic donation

Culture, education, research, immigration.

€1M

Government bonds

Held 2 years.

€2M

Family & requirements

Who can be included
Spouse, children and dependent parents
Visit or residence
No minimum stay
Processing time
3–6 months
  • Funds committed only after nulla osta approval
  • No real estate route
  • Optional flat tax of €300,000 a year on all foreign income for new residents from 1 January 2026 (+€50,000 per family member), for up to 15 years

Italy passport: travel access

186destinations without a visa in advance

Visa waiver, visa on arrival or electronic travel authorisation (eTA), per the Henley Passport Index. eVisas are not counted.

  • Schengen Area – no visa in advance
  • United Kingdom – no visa in advance
  • Ireland – no visa in advance
  • Canada – no visa in advance
  • United States – no visa in advance
  • Singapore – no visa in advance
  • Japan – no visa in advance
  • South Korea – no visa in advance
  • Brazil – no visa in advance
  • Russia – visa required
  • China – no visa in advance
  • United Arab Emirates – no visa in advance
  • Switzerland – no visa in advance
  • Australia – no visa in advance
  • New Zealand – no visa in advance
Show visa waiver countries

Albania · Algeria · Andorra · Angola · Antigua and Barbuda · Argentina · Armenia · Australia · Austria · Bahamas · Bahrain · Bangladesh · Barbados · Belarus · Belgium · Belize · Bolivia · Bosnia and Herzegovina · Botswana · Brazil · Brunei · Bulgaria · Burundi · Cambodia · Canada · Cape Verde · Chile · China · Colombia · Comoros · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · Denmark · Dominica · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · Egypt · El Salvador · Estonia · Eswatini · Ethiopia · Fiji · Finland · France · Gambia · Georgia · Germany · Greece · Grenada · Guatemala · Guinea-Bissau · Guyana · Haiti · Honduras · Hungary · Iceland · Indonesia · Ireland · Israel · Jamaica · Japan · Jordan · Kazakhstan · Kenya · Kiribati · South Korea · Kuwait · Kyrgyzstan · Laos · Latvia · Lebanon · Lesotho · Liechtenstein · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Madagascar · Malawi · Malaysia · Maldives · Malta · Marshall Islands · Mauritius · Mexico · Micronesia · Moldova · Monaco · Mongolia · Montenegro · Morocco · Mozambique · Namibia · Nepal · Netherlands · New Zealand · Nicaragua · North Macedonia · Norway · Oman · Palau · Panama · Paraguay · Peru · Philippines · Poland · Portugal · Qatar · Romania · Rwanda · Saint Kitts and Nevis · Saint Lucia · Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · Samoa · San Marino · São Tomé and Príncipe · Saudi Arabia · Senegal · Serbia · Seychelles · Sierra Leone · Singapore · Slovakia · Slovenia · Solomon Islands · South Africa · Spain · Sri Lanka · Suriname · Sweden · Switzerland · Taiwan · Tajikistan · Tanzania · Thailand · Timor-Leste · Tonga · Trinidad and Tobago · Tunisia · Turkey · Tuvalu · Ukraine · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom · United States · Uruguay · Uzbekistan · Vanuatu · Vatican City · Venezuela · Vietnam · Zambia · Zimbabwe

Count: Henley Passport Index, updated 12 Oct 2026 (227 destinations incl. territories). Country list: Wikipedia – Visa requirements for Italian citizens (sovereign countries only). Always confirm entry rules with the destination before travel.

How Citizenship Shop helps

Add the program to your cart or click Buy now to reserve it for US$500. Create your client account and complete the pre-eligibility questions at checkout. A senior advisor then reviews your profile within one business day, confirms the best investment route and the exact government fees for your family, and prepares your application with a licensed local agent.

Italy Investor Visa: FAQ

How much does the Italy Investor Visa cost?

The minimum investment is €250,000. Available options: Innovative startup (€250,000); Italian limited company (€500,000); Philanthropic donation (€1M); Government bonds (€2M). The investment is paid directly to the government or approved project, never to us.

How long does the Italy Investor Visa take?

Processing typically takes 3–6 months from submission of a complete application. Your advisor gives you a personal timeline after the pre-eligibility review.

Can I include my family in the application?

Family members who can be included: Spouse, children and dependent parents. Your advisor checks each dependant’s eligibility before you apply.

Do I need to visit or live in Italy?

No minimum stay. Rules change from time to time, so your advisor confirms the current requirement in writing.

How do I apply for the Italy Investor Visa?

Reserve the program online with a US$500 payment, create your account and complete the pre-eligibility form. An advisor is assigned within one business day, runs due diligence screening and prepares your application. The reservation is credited against professional fees.

Official source

Prices and rules on this page were verified on 28 September 2026 against: Investor Visa for Italy – Ministry of Enterprises.

Governments revise fees and thresholds without notice. Your advisor confirms the exact figures in writing before any investment is made.

Compare similar programs

Book Now US$500