It’s Official: Italy Raises Its Flat Tax to €300,000
January 1, 2026
Marco Mesina breaks down Italy’s new €300,000 flat tax and why ultra-wealthy families are likely to continue choosing Italy despite the hike.
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
Program Type:
Residence by Investment
Processing Time:
1-2 months
Citizenship Timeline:
10 years
Permanent Residency Timeline:
5 years
Physical Presence Required:
None
Citizenship Visa-Free Access:
189 countries
Minimum Contribution:
€250,000
Contribution Options:
Bond Investment, Business Investment, Donation
On This Page
Program Overview
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
Affectionately termed “La Dolce Visa” by IMI, Italy’s Investor Visa program gives applicants the choice of investing a larger amount in low-risk assets or a smaller amount in high-risk assets. Philanthropic contributions are also an option.
Though less expensive alternatives exist for those who merely want a residence permit in an EU country by way of passive investment (Portugal’s, Latvia’s, and Greece’s golden visas, for example), to those with a particular affinity for Italy, the residence by investment program is a reasonable option.
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
How to Qualify
An applicant must satisfy at least one of the criteria to obtain the initial two-year visa:
- €2 million in Italian government bonds.
- €500,000 in Italian shares.
- €250,000 if investing in innovative start-ups.
- €1 million donation to projects of public interest in Italy
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
Salient Benefits
- Increased visa-free travel
- Freedom of movement (but not settlement) within Schengen
- Minimal physical presence requirements
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship
- Safety and security
- Warm climate
- Enhanced education opportunities
- Enhanced business access to large economies
- Short processing time
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
Citizenship Timeline and Requirements
After the application process has been completed and approved you have 6 months to request an investor visa at the closest Italian representation abroad. You can enter Italy within 2 years from the release of the visa.
The investment needs to be maintained during the validity of the 2 year visa. If the investor maintains their investment throughout the 2 years of validity of the residence permit they are allowed to apply for a 3-year renewal, by applying at least 60 days before the expiry date of the residence permit.
After five years of physical residence (270 days present in Italy per annum) the applicant may apply for Permanent residency.
To naturalize as an Italian citizen you will need to have been a resident physically present in Italy for 10 years.
Browse 195 countries’ paths to citizenship in the hyper-detailed IMI Citizenship Catalog.
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
Program Authority and Legal Basis
Applications for this program may be directed to INVESTOR VISA FOR ITALY Ministry of Economic Development.
Legislation upon which this program is based on art. 26-bis, part. 1 of Legislative Decree 286/1998 (TUI).
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
IMI Pros Who Can Help You
Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
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Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)
Program Statistics
See more statistics on this program and others in the IMI Data Center.