Investor Visa for Italy
Legal assistance for non-EU investors seeking a visa and residence permit in Italy through an investment or donation in one of the categories admitted by the programme.
Service Overview
Investor Visa for Italy is the programme introduced by the 2017 Budget Law that allows non-EU citizens to obtain an entry visa and residence permit in return for an investment or donation of significant interest to Italy.
The permitted categories are Italian government bonds, equity in Italian companies, equity in innovative startups, and philanthropic donations to projects of public interest. Each category has its own minimum threshold.
Applications are submitted through a dedicated online portal. An interministerial committee assesses the application and, if approved, issues the nulla osta needed to request the visa at the Italian consulate. After entering Italy, the investor applies for the residence permit. The applicable thresholds and rules must be checked when applying.
Who Is This Service For?
This service is intended for:
non-EU citizens with resources of lawful origin who intend to invest in Italy;
investors interested in Italian government bonds, equity in Italian companies or innovative startups, or donations supporting projects of public interest;
entrepreneurs and professionals who want to check whether their transaction meets the programme's thresholds and conditions;
holders of investor visas or permits who need to renew them or manage changes to their investment;
investors' family members, for family reunification and related permits.
Requirements and Documents
As a general rule, applicants must:
have their own traceable financial resources of lawful origin, sufficient for the chosen investment category;
meet the minimum threshold applicable to government bonds, company equity, innovative startups or donations;
identify the financial instrument, company or project receiving the investment;
commit to making the investment within the required period after entering Italy and maintaining it for the duration of the residence permit;
hold a valid passport and have no grounds barring entry.
Depending on the case, documents may include a passport and CV; evidence of ownership, availability and lawful origin of funds; an investment or donation description and declaration of commitment; a certificate of pending criminal proceedings; a digital signature for the application; and translated and legalised documents where required.
Our firm defines the exact document list after reviewing the individual situation.
Application Process
Our firm assists throughout the Investor Visa procedure:
Step 1 — Preliminary assessment: investment category, thresholds, available resources and lawful origin of funds.
Step 2 — Online application: account creation, forms, supporting documents, digital signature and submission.
Step 3 — Completeness checks and committee assessment, normally within 30 days of the application; the nulla osta has a limited validity period for requesting the visa.
Step 4 — Visa application at the competent Italian consulate; the investor visa is valid for two years.
Step 5 — Entry into Italy and application to the Questura for the investor residence permit within the applicable deadline.
Step 6 — Making the investment within the required period, maintaining it and applying for renewal before the permit expires.
Common Problems and Particular Cases
Recurring difficulties may include:
incomplete documents or application forms inconsistent with their attachments;
insufficient evidence of the lawful origin of funds, especially where resources are spread across countries, companies or structures;
failure to make or report the investment within the required period after entry, with a risk of permit revocation;
sale, alteration or use of the investment as security in breach of the obligation to maintain it;
a transaction that does not meet the chosen category's requirements or minimum threshold;
an expired nulla osta, delays or refusal of renewal;
questions concerning family members and reunification requirements.
Our firm assesses the available alternatives and, where necessary, legal protection before the competent authorities.
How Our Law Firm Can Help
Studio Legale Beggin, based in Verona, assists foreign investors and their families with entry and residence procedures under Investor Visa for Italy. Assistance includes:
preliminary assessment of the investment category, thresholds and requirements;
review of documents, particularly evidence of the lawful origin of funds;
assistance with the application portal and dealings with the committee, consulate and Questura;
renewals, family reunification and changes to the investor's immigration position;
legal protection in the event of refusal, revocation or administrative delays, including court proceedings.
Tax, corporate and financial aspects require the involvement of other qualified professionals. Consultations are available in Verona or online. Every case is assessed individually and no outcome is guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Investor Visa for Italy?
It is a programme introduced by the 2017 Budget Law for non-EU citizens seeking a visa and residence permit through an investment or donation in one of the categories and minimum thresholds set by the rules.
Which investments are permitted?
Italian government bonds, equity in Italian companies, equity in innovative startups, and philanthropic donations to projects of public interest. Each has its own threshold. The investment must be traceable and maintained for the duration of the permit.
How long does the investor residence permit last?
The first residence permit lasts two years and may be renewed for a further three years if the investment is maintained. Renewal must be requested before expiry.
Can my family join me in Italy?
Family reunification follows the general immigration rules for eligible family members, such as a spouse and minor children. Accommodation, income and other requirements must be assessed individually.
What if the application is rejected or renewal is refused?
The reasons must be reviewed, including incomplete documents, source-of-funds evidence or failure to make or maintain the investment. Depending on the case, documents may be supplemented, a corrected application filed or a decision challenged within the legal deadlines.
Related Services
Investor Visa is separate from Italia Startup Visa, which concerns an innovative entrepreneurial project, and from the visa for digital nomads and remote workers.
Italian visas and residence permits · Family reunification · Italy Digital Nomad Visa
Book a Consultation
Book an online consultation or an appointment at our office in Verona to assess your investment project and the applicable immigration procedure.
Services
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Contacts
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