In short
Italy's investor visa needs one of four investments: €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian company, a €1 million donation to a public-interest project, or €2 million in Italian government bonds held for at least 2 years. Buying property does not qualify. You apply online for clearance (nulla osta) from a government committee, then for the visa at the Italian consulate for your US state, and make the investment within 3 months of arriving. The first permit lasts 2 years and is renewable for 3 years at a time while you keep the investment, with no minimum stay. Family members can join through family reunification. Moving your tax residence brings Italian tax on worldwide income — or, optionally, a flat €300,000 a year on foreign income for people moving from 2026.
Italy investor visa: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Investor visa | €250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian company, €1 million donation or €2 million in Italian government bonds; no property route# Source: Embassy of Italy in Pretoria: Investor Visa for Italy |
|---|---|
| Investor visa: permit | 2 years, renewable for 3 while you keep the investment; no minimum stay; MIMIT committee clearance first# Source: Embassy of Italy in Pretoria: Investor Visa for Italy · The Local Italy: five things to know about Italy's investor visa (Feb 2026) |
| Where to apply | Long-stay (D) visas come from the Italian consulate for your US state of residence; a tourist stay cannot be turned into a residence permit in Italy# Source: Consulate General of Italy in New York: digital nomad / remote worker visa · Italian Foreign Ministry: rights and duties of D-visa holders (Jun 2026) |
| Flat tax for new residents | €300,000 a year on all foreign income (€50,000 per family member) for people moving from 2026; €200,000 for moves from 10 August 2024 to 2025# Source: DWF: Italy 2026 Budget Law — key tax changes |
| Taxes on foreign assets | 1.06% a year on foreign property and 0.2% on foreign financial assets for Italian residents# Source: PwC Tax Summaries: Italy — individual other taxes |
| Permanent residence | EU long-term permit after 5 years: no more than 6 months away in a row or 10 months in total, A2 Italian and enough income# Source: Assolombarda: EU long-term residence permit |
| Citizenship by residence | 10 years of legal residence, B1 Italian and enough income; €250 fee; dual citizenship allowed# Source: InfoImmigrazione: citizenship by residence (Jul 2026) · Chamber of Deputies: Italian citizenship law — current rules |
| US tax treaty | Signed 1999, in effect since 2010; US citizens still file US returns# Source: Accounting Today: the US–Italy tax treaty enters into force |
| US reporting | FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 in total; Form 8938 above $200,000 at year-end ($300,000 at any time) for a single filer abroad# Source: IRS: comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The investor visa is the same for every non-EU investor, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits apply exactly as described here. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Short stays | 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area; the Entry/Exit System registers entries since April 2026; ETIAS (€20) not yet running. |
|---|---|
| Home-country tax | US citizens stay taxable in the US even under Italy's flat tax, and must report Italian accounts (FBAR, FATCA); most other nationals are taxed only where they live. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
At a Glance
Italy Investor Visa in Numbers
Why Italy
Why Investors Choose the Italy Investor Visa
Italy's investor visa is built around investment in the Italian economy rather than real estate. It gives a renewable residence permit with Schengen travel and no obligation to live in Italy — but citizenship and permanent residence still need real years of residence.
No Property Purchase
Startups · Companies · Donations · Bonds
Property does not qualify. You choose between equity in Italian businesses, a philanthropic donation or government bonds.
No Minimum Stay
2-year permit · Renewable for 3 · Schengen travel
There is no minimum number of days in Italy to keep the permit. The card lets you travel in the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180.
Qualifying Investments
Italy Investor Visa: Qualifying Investments
You must keep the investment for as long as you hold the permit. Funds must be your own and legally earned, and you show at least the same amount (plus enough to live on) when you apply.
| Investment | Minimum and key rules |
|---|---|
| Innovative startup €250,000 | Equity in a company registered in the special section for innovative startups of the Business Register. |
| Italian company €500,000 | Equity in an Italian limited company (SRL or SpA) based in Italy. |
| Philanthropic donation €1,000,000 | A donation to a public-interest project in culture, education, immigration management, scientific research or heritage. |
| Government bonds €2,000,000 | Italian government bonds, held for at least 2 years. |
Investor Visa for Italy (art. 26-bis, Consolidated Immigration Act). Source: Italian Foreign Ministry: Investor Visa for Italy
Italy's investor visa is for people who want to back Italian businesses, not buy a holiday home. Choose the investment first, then the visa.
Step by Step
The Italy Investor Visa Application Process
Choose and check the investment
Confirm that the startup, company or project qualifies — for example, that the startup is in the innovative-startup register — and prepare proof of funds.
Apply for the nulla osta
File online with the Investor Visa for Italy Committee (MIMIT). Clearance typically takes from 30 days to 3 months.
Apply for the visa
Within 6 months of the nulla osta, apply at the Italian consulate for your US state.
Arrive, invest and file your permit
File for your residence permit within 8 working days of arriving, and make the investment within 3 months.
Renew
The first permit lasts 2 years; renew for 3 years at a time by showing you still hold the investment.
Why Partner with Us
Our Italy Investor Visa Service
Investment checks
We confirm the startup, company or project qualifies before you commit money.
Nulla osta and consulate
Online application, documents, apostilles and the consulate appointment.
Arrival and renewals
Residence permit, codice fiscale and renewals, with Italian lawyers.
Tax coordination
The flat tax option, Italian taxes on foreign assets and your US position, with advisers on both sides.
Key Considerations
What to Know Before You Apply
Startup and company investments carry business risk
Your money is equity, not a guaranteed deposit. Do proper due diligence and plan what happens if the company fails during your permit.
No minimum stay — but no shortcut to citizenship
The EU long-term permit needs 5 years of residence (no more than 6 months away in a row or 10 in total) and A2 Italian. Citizenship needs 10 years of residence and B1 Italian.
Tax residence follows your life, not your permit
If you live in Italy for most of the year or move your home there, you are taxed on worldwide income at 23–43%, and pay 1.06% on foreign property and 0.2% on foreign financial assets.
The flat tax option
New residents can instead pay a flat €300,000 a year on all foreign income (€50,000 per family member) for people moving from 2026. Americans still owe US tax.
The nulla osta has a time limit
Apply for the visa within 6 months of clearance and invest within 3 months of arriving.
The Italy investor visa is right for you if
- You want EU residence without buying property.
- You can invest at least €250,000 in an innovative startup, or more in other routes.
- You accept business risk on startup or company investments.
- You have tax advice in Italy and the US before you move.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for the Italy investor visa?
€250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian company, a €1 million philanthropic donation or €2 million in Italian government bonds held for at least 2 years.
Can I buy property to qualify?
No. Real estate does not qualify for Italy's investor visa.
Do I have to live in Italy?
No minimum stay is required to keep the permit. But permanent residence after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years both need real residence in Italy.
Can my family come with me?
Yes, through family reunification — usually your spouse, minor children and, in some cases, dependent adult children and parents.
What is Italy's flat tax for new residents?
An optional flat tax on all foreign income — €300,000 a year (plus €50,000 per family member) for people moving their tax residence to Italy from 2026; it was €200,000 for moves from August 2024 to 2025.
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