Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)

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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

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Italy Investor Visa IMI

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)

Qualifying Real Estate

As noted in the program qualifications above, an investor can qualify for this program with a local property purchase above the minimum investment threshold. View eligible properties curated by IMI and our real estate partners:

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.

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