Italy Golden Visa

Italy's investor visa (visto per investitori) is set out in Article 26-bis of the Consolidated Immigration Act. It goes to nationals of countries outside the EU who make one of four qualifying investments or donations in Italy.

The first permit lasts 2 years. Renewable for further 3-year periods if the full sum was invested within 3 months of entry and is still invested.

The four routes:

• Government bonds: €2,000,000 in Italian government bonds, held for at least two years.
• Company or fund: €500,000 in a company or venture capital fund set up and operating in Italy, held for at least two years.
• Innovative startup: €250,000 in a startup listed in the special section of the companies register.
• Donation: €1,000,000 to a project of public interest in culture, education, immigration management, scientific research or cultural and landscape heritage.

Applicants must also show that they hold the funds and can transfer them to Italy.

• Nulla osta: clearance from the investor visa committee, requested online with proof that the funds are available.
• Visa file: the national visa form, passport, the nulla osta and the documents the consulate lists.
• After arrival: proof that the investment or donation has been made.

The ministry's investor visa portal was unreachable when this page was checked, so its current document list should be confirmed there before filing.

• Investment: the amount of the chosen route, which must stay invested.
• National visa: the consulate's long-stay visa fee, listed in the consular fee table.

The residence permit is paid for separately in Italy. According to the Polizia di Stato, it combines a revenue stamp, the electronic card, a permit contribution that rises with the permit's length and a postal fee for the application kit.

Legal, tax and banking advice on the investment is extra.

Where to apply: Online nulla osta request to the committee at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), then the investor visa at the consulate.

1. Clearance: apply online to the committee for the nulla osta.
2. Visa: apply at the consulate with the nulla osta.
3. Arrival and permit: enter Italy and apply to the Questura within eight working days, as Article 5 requires.
4. Investment: make the investment or donation within three months of entry.

• First permit: 2 years.
• Renewal: Renewable for further 3-year periods if the full sum was invested within 3 months of entry and is still invested.
• Revocation: the permit can be revoked if the investment isn't made within three months of entry or is sold within two years.
• Work: Same rights as a self-employment permit; exempt from the integration agreement and continuity-of-stay obligations for 5 years.
• Family: relatives who qualify for family reunification can get family visas.

The investor visa carries no tax regime of its own, and holding it doesn't by itself make someone tax-resident. Under the Agenzia delle Entrate's residence rules, a person is resident for income tax if, for most of the year (183 days, or 184 in a leap year), any one of these holds: their domicile or habitual residence is in Italy, they are physically present in Italy (fractions of days count) or they are registered in the resident population register.

Tax residents are generally taxed on their worldwide income, with relief under any tax treaty between Italy and the other country. Italy also offers an optional substitute tax on foreign income for people who move their tax residence there; its annual amount has changed over time and should be confirmed with the Agenzia delle Entrate before relying on it.