Italy provides several immigration pathways for foreign nationals to study, reside, work or retire in Italy. While obtaining visas for Italy is not as straightforward when compared to other EU destinations, there are still viable options to consider. Below we have provided a brief overview of the main visa options for Italy.

Elective Residency Visa for Italy

The elective residency visa is designed for those who intend to relocate to Italy without employment. In other words, it could be a viable option if you do not intend to work for an Italian company, or obtain sponsorship from an Italian entity.

Who is eligible for the elective residency visa?

This could be a great visa option for investors, entrepreneurs, pensioners and others seeking to shift their residency to Italy.

Elective Residency Visa Requirements

• Demonstrate financial stability of € 32,000 per year
• Must not rely on employment in Italy for proof of financial stability
• Financial requirements must be derived from valid sources of passive income (pension, annuities, dividends, rental income)
• Proof of residency in Italy (property can be rented or owned)

Interested in learning more about the Elective Residency visa? Contact a qualified immigration lawyer in Italy today!

Investor Visa for Italy

Italy is rapidly becoming an attractive destination for investors. As of 2023, there has been a surge in interest of foreign direct investment into major parts of Italian economy, including real-estate and local shops and producers.

The investor visa for Italy provides a clear immigration pathway for non-EU citizens who choose to invest in strategic qualified investment vehicles for Italy.

What are the requirements for the investor visa?

Overall, an investor has several options to make a qualifying investment for purposes of obtaining the visa:

• € 2 million investment into Italian government bonds
• € 500,000 investment in an Italian limited company
• € 250,000 in an Italian innovative startup
• € 1 million in a philanthropic initiative

What are the benefits of the Investor Visa?

• Obtain a 2-year visa with long-term residency options
• Ability to earn profits and interest on investments
• Access to the European Union
• Work Authorization is issued to applicant and dependents (i.e. spouse)

Interested in learning more about the Investor Visa? Contact a qualified immigration lawyer in Italy today!

Start-Up Italia Visa Program

Italy launched a start-up initiative with the aim of attracting innovative businesses and entrepreneurs from around the world. It is still active, yet navigating this program can be challenging, as it is very much untested waters.

What are the requirements of the Start-Up Italia visa program?

There are two (2) ways to qualify for the start-up Italy visa program:

• € 50,000 minimum investment in a new Italian company; or
• € 100,000 investment in an existing Italian company

Who is eligible for the Italy start-up visa?

• Non-EU nationals
• Meet the minimum investment requirements of either €50,000 or €100,000
• The company must be classified as an innovative company per Italian regulations
• The annual sales of the company must not be greater than € 5,000,000

Are you looking for a qualified investment or have ideas for the Italy start-up visa program? Contact a qualified lawyer in Italy today to learn more about what Relocate.world has to offer!

Italian Citizenship by Descent

Do you have Italian ancestry? One of the most popular immigration categories for foreign nationals that qualify is the Italian Citizenship by Descent process. This visa category effectively traces your family lineage and bloodline to Italian descent. If you are able to provide the necessary proof of your Italian ancestry, you will be eligible to apply for this much desirable visa!

Known as “Jus Sanguinis” — this Italian Naturalisation process is very relevant in countries like the United States, Brazil, Argentina and other parts of Europe.

**How do I know if I qualify for Italian Citizenship?

The jus sanguinis process can be fairly complicated. Overall, it is necessary to demonstrate an unbroken chain of lineage to either a paternal or maternal source.

Digital Nomad Visa for Italy

In April 2022, Italian authorities announced the introduction of Digital Nomad visas. This legislation is aimed at remote workers who meet the minimum financial requirements. This presents a unique opportunity to live and work in Italy for freelancers, remote workers, digital nomads, and other professionals.

When will the digital nomad visa for Italy be available?

It is anticipated that the digital nomad visa for Italy will be enacted into practice towards the end of 2023. That said, Italian authorities tend to take their time, and there is no certainty as to when this will be will available for processing.

Learn more about relocating to Italy and reach out to a qualified Italian immigration lawyer today.