Affectionately termed the “La Dolce Visa” by IMI, Italy’s residence by investment 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.
This program page is sponsored by Magwind
| Program Type | Golden Visa Program |
| Time to citizenship | 10 years |
| Time to permanent residency | 5 years |
| Minimum investment | EUR 250,000 |
| Physical presence requirement | None |
| Application processing time | 1-2 months |
| Citizenship grants visa-free travel to | 189 destinations, including Schengen countries and the United States |
| Contribution types available | Donation, Business Investment, Bond Investment |
General program requirements
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
Program benefits
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
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.
Applications for this program may be directed to:
INVESTOR VISA FOR ITALY Ministry of Economic Development
Legislation upon which this program is based:
art. 26-bis, part. 1 of Legislative Decree 286/1998 (TUI)
No statistics available yet for this program.
As the hub for investment migration professionals, IMI is regularly in touch with program specialists in every corner of the globe.
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Madalena Monteiro saw a deluge of inquiries about the Italian Dolce Visa after news of Portugal’s closing. Especially from Russians.
The bill proposes to introduce a tiered real estate acquisition route, new investment options, lower minimums, and procedural improvements.
Italy’s Dolce Visa has no processing delays, allows for tailor-made investments, and even lets you wait to invest until after approval.
Globally, hundreds of millions of people have a great grandparent from an EU country. Too few of them are picking up citizenships for free.
Italy as a destination sells itself, argues Dario Montagnese. All RCBI advisors need to do is let investors know it also has a golden visa.
The Italian Court of Rome states that consulates that don’t give appointments violate the right to claim Italian citizenship by descent.
Programs that offer citizenship within months in exchange for investments or donations, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Programs that offer citizenship in exchange for investments following a 1-2 year period, with minor/no physical presence requirements.
Bulgaria Investor Program (discontinued)
Malta MEIN
Programs that offer residence permits within months in exchange for passive investments, with limited physical presence requirements.
Andorra Residence Without Lucrative Activity
Anguilla Permanent Residency Program
Australia BIIP Investor Streams
Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence
Barbados SERP Program
Bermuda Economic Investment Certificate (EIC) Program
Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER)
Cambodia My 2nd Home
Cayman Islands Investor Visa
Colombia Investor Visas M and R
Costa Rica Investor Visa
Curaçao Investor Permit Program
Cyprus Golden Visa
Georgia Investor Visas
Greece Golden Visa
Guernsey Investor & Entrepreneur Residency
Ireland Immigrant Investor Program (discontinued)
Italy Investor Visa
Latvia Investor Visa
Luxembourg Investor Visa
Malaysia M2H Visa
Malta Permanent Residence Program
Mauritius Permanent Residency Program
Monaco Carte de Séjour
Netherlands Investor Visa
New Zealand Investor Visa
Nicaragua Investor Permanent Residency Program
Panama Qualified Investor Visa
Philippines Special Investor Residence Permit
Portugal Golden Visa
Russia Investor Visa
South Korea Investor Visa
Spain Golden Visa
Taiwan Golden Visa (APRC Plum Blossom Card)
Thailand Elite Residence Program
UAE Golden Visa
UK Investor Visa (discontinued)
United States EB-5
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who can demonstrate income or personal wealth above a certain level, usually requiring that the holder not take up employment locally.
Argentina Rentista and Pensionado Residency
Austria Independent Means Visa
Barbados Welcome Stamp
Gibraltar Category 2 HNWI Residence
Greece FIP Visa
Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS)
Ireland Independent Means (Stamp 0)
Italy Elective Residency Visa
Jersey High Value Residency
Mexico Legal Residency Visa
Nicaragua Pensionado and Rentista Visas
Panama Rentista Retirado Visa
Paraguay Permanent Residency Program
Portugal D7 Visa
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Uruguay Independent Means Visa
Programs that offer residence permits within months to those who physically relocate to start and/or run a business. Startup and entrepreneur visas fall under this category.
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