In short
Non-EU founders of a new innovative startup can apply for the Italia Startup Visa. You need at least €50,000 of funds for the company and a business that meets the innovative-startup criteria. The MIMIT committee issues a nulla osta in about 30 days, free of charge; then you apply for the visa at the Italian consulate for your US state. Innovative startups (up to 5 years old, turnover up to €5 million) get simpler rules and access to Invitalia's Smart&Start zero-interest loans for projects of €100,000–1.5 million. An SRL costs about €2,700–4,600 to set up with a notary. Companies pay 24% IRES plus IRAP. Founders who move can exempt 50% of their work income from tax for 5 years (60% with a child), up to €600,000.
Italy startup: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Italia Startup Visa | €50,000 of funds for a new innovative startup; nulla osta from the MIMIT committee in about 30 days; free to apply# Source: Italia Startup Visa: guidelines (MIMIT) · Italia Startup Visa: official site (MIMIT) |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| Innovative startup status | Company up to 5 years old with turnover up to €5 million, no profit distribution and innovation criteria (R&D spend, qualified staff or IP); registered in a special section# Source: MIMIT: innovative startups |
| Smart&Start Italia | Invitalia zero-interest loans for 80–90% of projects of €100,000–1.5 million for innovative startups# Source: PartitaIVA.it: Smart&Start Italia 2026 |
| Usual company type | SRL (limited liability company): €10,000 standard capital, or €1–9,999 if fully paid in cash; notarial deed# Source: Civil Code art. 2463 (SRL capital) |
| Formation cost | Notary about €1,500–3,000 + VAT plus about €900 of taxes and fees; first-year total about €2,700–4,600 estimate# Source: PartitaIVA.it: what an SRL costs in 2026 · NotaioOnline: online company incorporation |
| Corporate taxes | IRES 24% plus regional IRAP 3.9% (4.82% in Lazio)# Source: PwC Tax Summaries: Italy — corporate income tax · InformazioneFiscale: regional IRAP rates |
| R&D tax credit | 10% (up to €5 million a year), higher in the South; to 2031# Source: ReteAgevolazioni: R&D tax credit |
| Impatriate regime | 50% of work income tax-free for 5 years (60% with a minor child), up to €600,000; you must have lived abroad 3 years and be highly qualified# Source: BDO: Italy's impatriate tax regime after the 2024 reform |
| 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 |
| US anti-deferral tax | GILTI renamed NCTI from 2026 — get US advice on whether Italian company profits are taxed in the US each year# Source: OnlineTaxman: GILTI replaced by NCTI from 2026 |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The Italia Startup Visa and Italian company rules are the same for all non-EU founders, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits follow this page exactly. Only your home country's side is different:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Tax at home | The US taxes its citizens wherever they live; most other countries tax by residence, with their own rules for owning a foreign company. Check with a tax advisor in your country. |
|---|---|
| Tax treaty with Italy | The US–Italy treaty has applied since 2010; other countries have their own treaties — check how yours treats dividends and salary. |
| 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 |
Overview
Launching Your Startup in Italy
Italy has a growing startup scene centred on Milan, with strong research universities in Milan, Turin, Bologna and Rome. For non-EU founders, the Italia Startup Visa is the main route: a ministry committee checks your startup and issues clearance, then the consulate issues the visa.
US citizens can visit Italy visa-free for 90 days in any 180 to meet partners and investors, but must get the visa from a consulate in the US before moving.
The Italia Startup Visa is one of Europe's cleaner founder routes — free, fast and run by one committee. The work is in proving your startup is genuinely innovative.
Our Services
Your Partner for an Italian Launch
Founder route strategy
Italia Startup Visa, investor visa or a self-employment visa — which fits you.
Italia Startup Visa application
Business plan, proof of €50,000 and the innovative-startup case for the MIMIT committee.
Company formation (SRL)
Codice fiscale, notary deed, innovative-startup registration and PEC.
Funding and incentives
Smart&Start, the R&D credit and Italian investors.
Settling in
Residence permit, health service, banking and housing — LocalVouch lists services other expats recommend.
Residency Pathways
Navigating Founder Visas & Residency
Italia Startup Visa
For founders of a new innovative startup with at least €50,000 of funds. Apply online to the MIMIT committee — nulla osta in about 30 days, free of charge. Support from a certified incubator is optional. Then apply at your consulate and file for the residence permit within 8 working days of arriving.
Investor Visa
€250,000 in an existing innovative startup or €500,000 in an Italian company gives a 2-year permit, renewable for 3. Investor visa guide.
Self-Employment Visa (Lavoro Autonomo)
For other businesses and freelancers, within yearly quotas — only 650 places in 2026 — and with a nulla osta from the immigration office.
Costs & Business Landscape
Business & Living Costs in Italy
Company formation
An SRL is set up by a notary — about €2,700–4,600 in the first year including taxes and fees. Capital can be from €1 if paid in full in cash. Register the company in the special section for innovative startups to get its benefits.
Tax and incentives
Companies pay IRES at 24% plus regional IRAP (3.9%, 4.82% in Lazio). The R&D tax credit is 10% (up to €5 million a year), higher in the South. Founders who move to Italy and are highly qualified can exempt 50% of their work income from income tax for 5 years (60% with a minor child), up to €600,000 a year, if they lived abroad for the 3 previous years.
Funding
Invitalia's Smart&Start Italia lends 80–90% of project costs at zero interest for projects of €100,000–1.5 million, with an extra grant element in the South. CDP Venture Capital invests in early-stage startups and VC funds. Living costs are moderate — about €1,650–1,950 a month for a single person in Rome, more in Milan.
US tax
From 2026 the US rules on undistributed foreign company profits are called NCTI (formerly GILTI). Whether your Italian startup's profits are taxed in the US each year depends on its effective Italian tax rate and your structure — plan with a US international tax adviser.
Where to Base
Italy's Top Startup Hubs
Milan
Italy's financial and business capital and its largest startup and investor hub — fintech, fashion, food and SaaS.
Rome
Government, aerospace, cybersecurity and health research, with universities such as Sapienza and LUISS.
Turin
A historic industrial city with the Politecnico di Torino — advanced manufacturing, mobility and cleantech.
Bologna
Strong in automotive, mechanics and data, with close links between the university and industry.
Florence & Tuscany
Life sciences and creative industries, with a high quality of life.
Step by Step
Essential Steps for American Founders
Check the innovative-startup criteria
The company must be new, have turnover up to €5 million, not distribute profits and meet an innovation test — R&D spending, qualified staff or intellectual property.
Secure €50,000 of funds
Your own funds, venture capital, crowdfunding or a certified incubator — with clear evidence.
Apply to the Italia Startup Visa committee
Submit the business plan and documents online; the nulla osta comes in about 30 days and is free.
Get the visa and move
Apply at the Italian consulate for your US state, then file for the residence permit within 8 working days of arriving and get your codice fiscale.
Form and register your SRL
Sign the deed with a notary, register in the innovative-startup section and set up PEC and e-invoicing.
Apply for support
Look at Smart&Start, the R&D credit and the impatriate tax regime in your first Italian tax return.
Why Italy
Why Italy Is a Compelling Base for US Founders
A clear founder visa
Free, run by one committee, with a decision in about 30 days.
Tax relief for newcomers
The 50% impatriate exemption for 5 years can make Italian salaries far more competitive.
Zero-interest public loans
Smart&Start Italia funds most of a project's costs at 0%.
Industry and talent
Engineering universities and world-class manufacturing, design and food industries.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need for the Italia Startup Visa?
At least €50,000 of funds for the new innovative startup. The application itself is free.
How long does the Italia Startup Visa take?
The MIMIT committee issues the nulla osta in about 30 days. Then you apply for the visa at your consulate.
Do I need an incubator?
No. Support from a certified incubator is an optional alternative route; you can apply directly to the committee.
What is the impatriate tax regime?
Highly qualified people who move to Italy after 3 years abroad can exempt 50% of their work income from income tax for 5 years (60% with a minor child), up to €600,000 a year.
What funding is available for Italian startups?
Invitalia's Smart&Start Italia (zero-interest loans for 80–90% of projects of €100,000–1.5 million), the R&D tax credit and early-stage investment from CDP Venture Capital and private investors.
Italy
Everything about moving to Italy
Startup visas · other countries
Startup visas in other countries
Ready to Build Your EU Startup from Italy?
Schedule your free founder consultation. Let's look at your business, define your Italian pathway and build your launch plan.