How To Get A Golden Visa For Italy

If you’re thinking about starting a new life abroad, you’ve probably considered Italy.

With its gorgeous lakes, picturesque cities and world famous food, it’s certainly a great place to live.

If you don’t have an EU passport and you need a way to gain residency, then the Italy Golden Visa or Investor Visa for Italy is a great option.

 

What Is the Italy Golden Visa?

 

Italy’s Golden Visa was introduced in 2017 to encourage foreigners to invest more in the country. Valid for 2 years, but extendable for a further 3, it’s a great way for non EU residents to start their path to citizenship.

Any non EU national can apply for the visa, as long as they are over 18 years of age.

To qualify for the Investor Visa, applicants can choose one of four investment routes:

• €2 million investment in Italian government bonds.
• €500,000 investment in an Italian limited company.
• €250,000 investment in an Italian startup.
• €1 million donation to a philanthropic initiative (e.g., culture, education, research or natural preservation).

Note: You must keep the investment for at least two years to keep your residency. You must also choose one of the above options rather than combining different types.

 

The Main Benefits Of Italy’s Golden Visa

 

The Golden Visa comes with a number of benefits for investors and their families, including:

• Residency in Italy with the right to live, work, and study for up to 2 years.
• Option for permanent residency after 5 years.
• Visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone.
• Eligible for Italian citizenship after 10 years, without having to give up another passport.
• Special tax rates for new residents.
• Access to high-quality healthcare, a great lifestyle and a good education system.
• No need to live in Italy full time.
• Options for family inclusion too.

 

 

How To Apply For The Italy Golden Visa

 

Applying for the Italy Investor Visa involves three main phases:

 

1. Getting The Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment)

First, you need to apply for the Nulla Osta through the Italian investor visa platform. This will ask you upload your documents and approve you as an authentic candidate for the visa.

For this you will need:

• A copy of your passport
• Your CV
• A clean criminal record
• Bank statements and a letter from the bank regarding your finances
• Proof of where you wish to live in Italy

Once approved, you will get the Nulla Osta which you can use to apply for the visa. This must be done within 6 months.

 

2. Applying for the Investor Visa At The Italian Embassy

Next, submit the Nulla Osta and documents needed to the Italian embassy in your home country.

For this, you will need:

• Your passport
• Your Nulla Osta
• Proof of income for the last financial year
• Proof of where you are living (or will be living) in Italy
• Investment documents (if you have them)

Note: all documents must be in Italian or English.

Once approved, your 2 year visa will be issued and you must go to Italy within 2 years to get your visa.

 

3. Getting Your Residence Permit

When you get to Italy, you’ll need to go to a local police station to submit your passport and entry visa.

You’ll also have to complete your chosen investment within 3 months of moving to Italy, failure to do so will result in the visa being cancelled.

Once all documents have been submitted, including proof of investment, the Investor Visa Committee will look at and approve the investment. Once it has been approved, your 2 year residence permit will be issued.

If you plan to renew the visa, you must do so within 60 days of expiry and you will need a new Nulla Osta (as well as proof your investment hasn’t moved) to do so.

 

Tax Benefits For Italy Golden Visa Holders

 

As well as an appealing lifestyle, Italy also offers special tax benefits for new residents:

Freelance workers or employees: Income produced in Italy is taxed at 30% or 10% if the worker decides to live in Southern Italy.

High net worth individuals: Can apply a substitute tax to their foreign income up to €100,000 per tax year and extended to family members (€25,000 per member).

 

Living in Italy With A Golden Visa

 

 

With an Italy Golden Visa, you can move to Italy and enjoy an amazing lifestyle.

With beautiful nature, amazing connections to the rest of Europe and a relatively affordable cost of living, it’s a great place to move to. Not to mention it has a great public health care system, good schools and world-class museums.

As a Golden Visa option, it certainly offers an easy way to get residency through investment. Not to mention, it can also lead you towards Italian citizenship. So, what are you waiting for? Buona fortuna!