italy golden visa

Investment Type: €250,000 in shares or stakes of an innovative startup registered in Italy’s official startup registry (Decree-Law no. 179/2012, Art. 25). Startups must be less than 48 months old and meet specific innovation criteria.

Residency: Grants a 2-year residence permit, renewable for 3-year periods if the investment is maintained.

Timeline: Application process takes 3–4 months, with a pre-approval step (Nulla Osta) issued within 30 days. Investment must be completed within 3 months of entering Italy.

Family Inclusion: Spouse, minor children, dependent adult children (with health issues), and dependent parents (if no other support in home country) can be included.

Schengen Access: Visa-free travel to 27 Schengen countries for 90/180 days.

Flexibility: No minimum stay requirement to maintain residency, ideal for those not planning to live full-time in Italy.

Tax Option: Optional €200,000 annual flat tax on foreign income for tax residents (183+ days/year in Italy).

Path to Citizenship: Permanent residency after 5 years; citizenship after 10 years (270 days/year residency, B1 Italian proficiency). Dual citizenship is allowed.

Lifestyle: Access to Italy’s healthcare, education, and vibrant culture.

High Risk: Startup investments carry a potential for total capital loss, unlike safer options like government bonds (€2M) or company shares (€500K).

No Real Estate: Direct real estate purchases don’t qualify, though some programs offer real estate-backed startup investments (e.g., hotel redevelopment).

Single Investment: Funds must be invested in one startup, not diversified.

Due Diligence: Strict checks on fund legitimacy; consult a specialized agency to reduce rejection risks.