The Investor Visa for Italy is a two-year visa for non-EU citizens who invest in assets the Italian government considers strategic. It is managed by the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) and is based on Article 26-bis of the Consolidated Immigration Act, with a 2017 interministerial decree. Real estate does not qualify.
The four qualifying investments
| Investment | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Innovative startup (registered as such in Italy) | €250,000 |
| Shares in an Italian limited company | €500,000 |
| Philanthropic donation to a project of public interest (culture, education, immigration management, scientific research, recovery of cultural and landscape heritage) | €1,000,000 |
| Italian government bonds (residual maturity of at least 2 years) | €2,000,000 |
Only the investment categories above are accepted; this is not a real estate program, and the startup must appear in the official register of innovative startups.
How the process works
- Clearance and visa. You apply through the Ministry’s online platform and then at the Italian consulate for the investor visa.
- Entry and investment. Under Article 26-bis, the investment must be made within three months of arriving in Italy, and then kept for the life of the residence permit.
- Residence permit. After arrival you apply for the residence permit in Italy.
The investor visa is exempt from Italy’s annual entry quotas.
Important restrictions
- Russian and Belarusian nationals, and holders of a second passport together with Russian or Belarusian citizenship, are currently suspended from the program, following an EU Council recommendation and a note of Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated 20 March 2024.
- You must show the funds are yours, lawfully obtained and freely transferable to Italy. Checklists published by Italian consulates also require clean criminal records.
- From 11 January 2026, Italian consulates require long-stay visa applicants to give biometric data in person.
Things this page deliberately does not promise
- Taxes. Italy has special tax regimes for new residents, but amounts have changed in recent years and we have not confirmed current figures against an official source. We do not quote them; we will explain your tax position with a qualified tax adviser.
- Renewal and family terms. The Ministry’s guidance covers these in detail; we will walk you through the current text for your case.
- Timing. The Ministry does not publish processing averages.
Who it suits
Italy suits investors who want their capital working in the Italian economy (a startup, a company, a donation or bonds) rather than tied up in property, and who accept that the investment must be maintained during the permit. A startup investment carries business risk: if it fails and the capital is lost, your status may be affected.
How GoldPassports helps
We help you choose between the four routes, review the target investment before you commit (for example whether the startup is genuinely on the official register), prepare the documentation on source of funds, and coordinate with the consulate and the Questura.
Which countries is the Italy Investor Visa most popular in?
Where most applicants and prospective investors come from, based on how much interest each country shows.
Most popular in Also popular
- United States
- United Kingdom
- India
- Turkiye
- Canada
- United Arab Emirates
- Australia
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- South Africa
Popularity is estimated from Google search volume for Italy programs (average monthly searches, October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026; source: Google Ads Keyword Planner), among the countries we track. It shows popularity, not eligibility.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy property for the Italian investor visa?
No. The Ministry lists four qualifying investments: an innovative startup, an Italian limited company, a philanthropic donation and Italian government bonds. Real estate is not one of them.
How much do I need to invest?
€250,000 in an innovative startup, €500,000 in an Italian limited company, €1,000,000 as a philanthropic donation, or €2,000,000 in Italian government bonds.
When do I make the investment?
After obtaining the visa and entering Italy. Article 26-bis requires the investment to be made within three months of arrival, and to be kept for the duration of the residence permit.
How long is the visa valid?
The Ministry describes it as a two-year visa. Renewal is possible under the program rules; ask us for the current terms.
Are there restrictions by nationality?
Yes. The program is suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens and for holders of a second passport together with Russian or Belarusian citizenship.
Does it lead to Italian citizenship?
The visa gives residence, not citizenship. Citizenship by residence in Italy follows the ordinary naturalisation rules and residence periods.
Related updates
- Which golden visas and citizenship-by-investment programs are still open in 2026? 17 Oct 2026
- Residency vs citizenship by investment: the real differences 13 Oct 2026
- Italy Investor Visa: what counts as a qualifying investment? 11 Oct 2026
Official sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below and were last verified on 11 October 2026. Rules change; always confirm the current position before investing.
