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Check with us if you can qualify for Italian Golden Visa, and how we can assist you on the entire process.
Check with us if you can qualify for Italian Golden Visa, and how we can assist you on the entire process.
The Italy Golden Visa program is a popular choice among foreign investors seeking residency in Italy.
The program provides a pathway to permanent residency and eventually Italian citizenship, making it a popular choice among families and individuals.
The program offers several benefits, including visa-free access to other Schengen countries, a high standard of living, and a favorable tax environment.
The Italy Golden Visa program is a rewarding experience, with a warm climate, beautiful landscapes, and a vibrant culture.
Check with us if you can qualify for Italian Golden Visa, and how we can assist you on the entire process.
Eligibility for the Italian Golden Visa is primarily for non-EU citizens aged 18 or older. Key requirements include:
Family members, such as a spouse and dependent children (under 18), can typically be included in the application.
The minimum investment amount for the Italian Golden Visa varies depending on the chosen investment option:
No, directly purchasing property in Italy does not automatically grant you a visa or residency permit. Unlike some other EU countries, Italy’s Golden Visa program does not have a direct real estate investment option for residency. However, buying property can be a factor that helps in obtaining certain other types of visas, such as the Elective Residence Visa, if other strict requirements (like sufficient passive income without needing to work in Italy) are met.
It is possible to gain “exposure” to real estate and qualify for the Golden Visa by investing in a limited company or a SICAF (investment fund) that, in turn, invests in real estate.
“Easiest” can be subjective and depend on individual circumstances and investment preferences. However, based on current programs and minimum investment thresholds, Italy is often cited as having one of the lowest-cost Golden Visa programs.
Other relatively accessible programs mentioned are Italy (€250,000 for a startup), Greece (€250,000 for real estate, though this is changing), and Hungary (€250,000 in approved investment fund units).
The cheapest Golden Visa option for Italy is an investment of €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup.
The Nulla Osta (certificate of no impediment) is a crucial initial step for the Investor Visa. The processing time for obtaining the Nulla Osta typically takes 2 to 3 months after the application is submitted through the official Investor Visa for Italy portal. Once issued, you have six months to apply for the visa at the competent Italian consulate or embassy.
Yes, you can get a Golden Visa in Italy if you are a non-EU citizen and meet the eligibility criteria, including making one of the qualifying investments.
Several countries have recently ended or are in the process of ending their Golden Visa programs due to concerns about housing affordability, security risks, and other socio-economic impacts. As of April 3, 2025, Spain officially ended its Golden Visa program. Other countries that have discontinued similar programs include the UK, Canada, Portugal, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
There is no direct “citizenship by investment” program in Italy. The Golden Visa provides a pathway to residency, which can eventually lead to citizenship. After 10 years of continuous legal residency in Italy (typically after 5 years of temporary residency and then 5 years of permanent residency), you may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship, subject to meeting language proficiency, integration requirements, and having a clean criminal record. The investment amounts mentioned earlier (€250,000 to €2,000,000) are for the initial residency permit, not directly for citizenship.
No, buying property in Italy does not automatically confer Italian citizenship. Italian citizenship is primarily based on the principle of jure sanguinis (right of blood), meaning you can be eligible if you have Italian ancestors. Residency (which can be obtained through various means, including the Golden Visa after investment) is a separate path that can eventually lead to citizenship after a long period of continuous residency (typically 10 years).
While Italian dual citizenship generally offers many advantages (e.g., freedom of movement in the EU, access to social services), some potential downsides can include:
Dual obligations: You may be bound by the laws and obligations of both countries, which could sometimes conflict (e.g., military service in some countries).
Double taxation: Depending on tax treaties between Italy and your other country of citizenship, you might be subject to taxation in both countries on your global income. US citizens, for example, are taxed on worldwide income regardless of residency.
Barriers to certain jobs: Some government or sensitive jobs may have restrictions on dual citizens.
Administrative complexity and cost: The process of obtaining dual citizenship can be complex, time-consuming, and involve legal fees.
The Golden Visa rule for Italy, officially known as the “Investor Visa for Italy,” allows non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit by making one of four qualifying investments:
€250,000 in an innovative startup.
€500,000 in an Italian limited company.
€1,000,000 philanthropic donation.
€2,000,000 in Italian government bonds.
The initial residence permit is valid for two years and can be renewed for an additional three years. There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain the Golden Visa residency permit.
As mentioned, no, directly buying a house does not grant residency under the Italian Golden Visa program. While property ownership can be a factor for other types of visas (like the Elective Residence Visa, which requires substantial passive income), it’s not a standalone path to residency via investment in Italy.
Determining the “best” Golden Visa depends on an applicant’s priorities (cost, path to citizenship, type of investment, family inclusion, etc.). However, some of the most popular and often cited as having good programs (though some are changing or ending) include:
Portugal: Historically very popular due to flexible residency obligations and a clear path to citizenship (though the real estate option has ended).
Greece: Offers residency through a relatively low real estate investment (though the minimum is increasing in some areas), but the processing time is very long.
Malta: Offers both residency and citizenship by investment, but with higher investment thresholds.
Italy: Offers diverse investment options, including a relatively low entry point for innovative startups, and no minimum stay requirement.
Yes, Italy has an investment visa program officially called the “Investor Visa for Italy” (often referred to as the Golden Visa). It was introduced in 2017 to attract foreign direct investment.
To get on the path to Permanent Residency (PR) in Italy through the Investor Visa, you need to make one of the qualifying investments: €250,000, €500,000, €1,000,000, or €2,000,000 depending on the investment type.
The Investor Visa grants an initial two-year residence permit, renewable for three years. After five years of continuous legal residence in Italy, you can apply for permanent residency.
The “Dolce Visa” is another, more informal, name sometimes used to refer to the Italy Golden Visa (Investor Visa program). It’s not a separate visa category but rather a popular nickname for the residency-by-investment scheme designed to attract non-EU nationals to invest in Italy. The investment options are the same as those listed for the Golden Visa.
The process for obtaining an Investor Visa in Italy generally involves these steps:
Choose a qualifying investment and gather proof of funds and their lawful origin.
Apply for a Nulla Osta (certificate of no impediment) through the official Investor Visa for Italy online portal. This typically takes 2-3 months.
Once the Nulla Osta is approved, apply for the Investor Visa at the Italian consulate or embassy in your country of residence within six months.
After receiving the visa, enter Italy within six months of its issuance.
Complete the investment within three months of entering Italy.
Apply for your residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) at the local Questura (police headquarters) within eight days of entering Italy, providing proof of the completed investment.
The process to get a Golden Visa in Italy is the same as described for the “Investor Visa for Italy” above. It requires a qualifying investment and following the specific application procedures.
Again, no, direct property purchase does not lead to residency through the Italian Golden Visa. While it might be a factor for other visa types requiring passive income, the Golden Visa itself requires specific financial investments in companies, startups, government bonds, or philanthropic donations.
The “easiest” way to get residency in Italy depends on your circumstances.
For those with significant capital, the Investor Visa (Golden Visa) can be a relatively straightforward path, especially the €250,000 startup investment, as it doesn’t require physical presence.
For those with substantial passive income and no need to work in Italy, the Elective Residence Visa (Visa for Residenza Elettiva) is an option, although it requires proof of significant and stable income from non-employment sources.
For those with Italian heritage, citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is a highly desirable path, as it directly grants citizenship and then residency rights.
Other paths include work visas, family reunification visas, and study visas, but these are tied to specific purposes.
The cost of the Golden Visa for Italy starts from €250,000 for an investment in an innovative startup, ranging up to €2,000,000 for government bonds.
The “Gold Visa” or “Golden Visa” for Italy costs a minimum of €250,000 for an innovative startup investment. The specific cost depends on the chosen investment route, as outlined in earlier answers.
Yes, US citizens are eligible to apply for the Italian Golden Visa. The requirements and investment options are the same for US citizens as for other non-EU citizens. It provides a popular pathway for wealthy American families to gain Italian residency.
You need to invest a minimum of €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup to get residency through the Investor Visa program. Other investment options require higher amounts: €500,000 for a limited company, €1,000,000 for a philanthropic donation, or €2,000,000 for government bonds.
No, Italy does not have a “Golden Passport” program (i.e., a direct citizenship by investment program). The Italian Golden Visa program grants residency by investment, which can lead to permanent residency and eventually citizenship after a long period of continuous residency (typically 10 years) and fulfillment of other naturalization requirements.
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