By Brera 1901 Legal & Advisory Team – Updated June 25, 2026 – 8 min read
The Italy golden visa requirements in 2026 are straightforward. Four investment categories, thresholds from €250,000, no minimum physical presence, processing times of 3 to 4 months.
Portugal has restructured its programme. Spain closed its real estate route in 2024. Greece raised its threshold to €800,000 in prime areas. Italy has not moved.
This guide covers what the programme requires: investment categories, eligibility criteria, documents, and the full process. It also compares Italy to the alternatives that have closed or raised their thresholds.
Key numbers at a glance:
- Entry from €250,000 (innovative startup route)
- Nulla Osta issued in 25 to 35 days
- Flat tax on foreign income: €300,000/year for new residents from January 2026
- Citizenship pathway: 10 years of residence
The Four Investment Options
Italian law specifies four qualifying routes. Investors must choose one category. Splitting the amount across routes is not allowed. Any investment made before submitting the application does not qualify.
€250,000 – Innovative Startup (lowest entry)
Investment in a certified Italian startup, registered in the special section of the Business Register. Capital is at market risk.
€500,000 – Italian Limited Company (most common)
Capital contribution into the share capital of an existing, non-listed Italian company. Covers both established businesses and growth-stage companies.
€1,000,000 – Public Interest Project (philanthropy)
Donation or funding toward a project that contributes to Italian society: culture, education, research, environment, or public infrastructure. Fully non-refundable.
€2,000,000 – Government Bonds (capital preservation)
Direct purchase of Italian government securities held for a minimum of two years.
One structural difference matters here. Investors make the qualifying investment after receiving the visa, not before. Capital moves only once residency is confirmed. No other major Western European investor visa works this way.
Italy Golden Visa requirements: Who Qualifies
The programme is open exclusively to non-EU citizens. US, Canadian, UK, Middle Eastern, and most Asian nationals apply on the same basis. To meet the italy golden visa requirements the applicant must be at least 18 years old and must not hold an EU passport.
Since July 2023, the programme has suspended participation for Russian and Belarusian nationals. This includes dual citizens who hold either passport. They have not announced an end date.
Beyond nationality, the check covers four elements:
- Clean criminal record, verified by certificates from both the country of residence and the country of citizenship
- Source-of-funds documents must meet FATF anti-money laundering standards.
- This is usually an official bank letter.
- It confirms the funds are available.
- It also confirms where the funds came from.
- Valid private health insurance covering Italy for the initial period
- A credible investment proposal for the chosen category, reviewed by the Investor Visa Committee at MIMIT
The visa has no minimum income requirement. Investors who plan to choose the flat tax regime should check if the €300,000 annual substitute tax fits their foreign income.
Italy Golden Visa Requirements: Documents
The italy Golden Visa Requirements include a standard document set by investment route, but the core set is consistent across all four categories.
All applicants:
- Valid passport (minimum 2 years remaining validity)
- Criminal record certificates from country of citizenship and country of current residence
- Official bank letter confirming source and availability of funds (FATF-compliant)
- Private health insurance valid in Italy
- Proof of current residence abroad
- Declaration of intent specifying the chosen investment category and amount
Startup and company routes (€250K and €500K):
- Business plan or investment memorandum describing the target entity and the investor’s role
- Company documentation: extract from the Business Register, articles of association, last financial statements
- For startups: confirmation of registration in the special innovative startup section
Philanthropy route (€1M):
- Written agreement with the receiving organisation, signed by both parties
- Documentation confirming the public interest nature of the project
Important. All documents issued outside Italy must be apostilled and officially translated into Italian. This step is frequently underestimated. A complete, properly apostilled file is the main factor in keeping the Nulla Osta within the 30-day legal window.
The Process: From Application to Residence Permit
The Italy Investor Visa has a defined two-step structure. The pre-approval happens before the investor enters Italy. The capital moves only after the visa is issued.
Step 1 – Nulla Osta application
Submit the complete application package online through the official MIMIT portal. The cross-ministerial Investor Visa Committee reviews the file and the investment proposal.
Statutory deadline: 30 days. Well-prepared files: 25 to 35 days.
Step 2 – Investor Visa (Type D) at consulate
Present the Nulla Osta at the Italian consulate in the applicant’s country of residence. The entry visa is valid for 6 months from the date of issue.
Approximately 15 working days.
Step 3 – Entry and residence permit
Enter Italy and apply for the “Permesso di Soggiorno per Investitori” at the local Questura within 8 days of arrival. Biometric data collected here.
8 days from arrival.
Step 4 – Investment execution
Make the qualifying investment within 3 months of obtaining the residence permit. This is the moment capital moves. Brera coordinates directly with custodians, fund managers, or company legal counsel at this stage.
Within 3 months of permit issuance.
Step 5 – Renewal
For the Italy Golden Visa Program the initial permit is valid for 2 years, renewable for 3-year periods as long as the investment is maintained, leading to a long term residence. Each renewal requires a new Nulla Osta. Applications should be submitted at least 60 days before expiry.
2-year permit, renewable 3+3 years.
The Flat Tax Regime
The investor visa and the Italian flat tax regime are separate legal instruments that work together. Not every investor who obtains the visa will elect the tax regime. The choice depends on foreign income profile and home-country obligations.
For new Italian tax residents, the neo-residenti regime may apply.
This is for people who were not resident in Italy for at least 9 of the last 10 years. Under Article 24-bis TUIR, it allows a flat substitute tax on all foreign-sourced income.
For investors seeking Italy access, Schengen mobility, and tax efficiency, Italy is a clearer choice in 2026.
It also offers a programme with no restructuring risk.
From 1 January 2026 (Legge 199/2025), it provides €300,000 per year for the main applicant.
€50,000 per year for each qualifying family member. The regime lasts up It also offers a programme with no restructuring risk.
From 1 January 2026 (Legge 199/2025), it provides €300,000 per year for the main applicant.to 15 years. Investors who registered before 31 December 2025 continue at their previous rate for the remainder of their term.
US nationals face an additional layer. The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. A US family using the Italian flat tax regime will still file a US return annually.
The interaction between the two systems requires specific tax counsel. This is not a standard question that general immigration advisors handle well.
Italy vs Portugal, Greece, Spain
The European golden visa landscape in 2026 looks substantially different from 2022. Three of the four major programmes have either closed, restructured, or raised thresholds significantly.
Italy: Fully open. €250,000. 10 years. €300K per year for 15 years.
Portugal: Restructured, with delays. €500,000+. 5 years. NHR modified.
Spain: Real estate route closed. Not available. Beckham Law is limited.
Greece: Open, but thresholds raised. €800,000. 7 years. No equivalent.
Italy’s citizenship pathway at 10 years is longer than Portugal’s 5. For investors whose primary goal is an EU passport, Portugal is technically faster, when it processes. For investors seeking Italy access, Schengen mobility, and tax efficiency, Italy is the clearer option in 2026.
This programme also carries no restructuring risk.
Common Mistakes: How to Avoid Them
Documents without apostille or translation
Criminal record certificates, bank letters, and company documents issued outside Italy must be apostilled under the Hague Convention.
A certified translator must also translate them into Italian. Missing either step is one of the most common causes of Nulla Osta delays.
Selecting the startup route without due diligence on the target company
The €250,000 startup route requires the company to register in the special innovative startup section.
This section is part of the Business Register. The registrar can revoke the registration if the company no longer meets the criteria. Who take this route without checking registration and legal status risk ending up with an investment they cannot renew.
Frequently Asked Questions About The italian Golden Visa requirements
What are the italy golden visa requirements?
The Italy Investor Visa is open to all non-EU nationals, including US and Canadian citizens. Eligibility depends on investment category, clean criminal record, and source-of-funds documentation.
What is the minimum investment for Italy Golden Visa?
The lowest entry point is €250,000, for a qualifying investment in a certified Italian innovative startup. The other routes are: €500,000 in an existing Italian limited company.
How long does the Italy Golden Visa process take?
The Nulla Osta is issued within 30 days by law. Well-prepared applications are processed in 25 to 35 days. The consular visa takes approximately 15 working days after Nulla Osta. From start to permit in hand: 3 to 4 months.
Does Italy Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
Not directly. The Investor Visa grants residency, not citizenship. Investors who establish genuine residence in Italy become eligible for permanent residency after 5 years and for Italian citizenship after 10 years of continuous legal residence.
Can I include my family in the Italy Golden Visa application?
Yes. Spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents can be included via family reunification once the primary investor has obtained the residence permit. Each family member who joins the flat tax regime pays an additional €50,000 per year, as of the 2026 Budget Law.
Is there a real estate option for Italy Golden Visa?
No. The Italian Investor Visa has always been investment-driven, not property-driven. Purchasing a home in Italy is possible after obtaining residency, but real estate does not count as a qualifying investment under any of the four programme categories.
Talk to an advisor before your capital moves.
We manage the full process, from eligibility check to Nulla Osta to permit. One point of contact. No fragmentation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Investment migration law changes frequently. Verify current requirements with a qualified Italian immigration attorney before taking action. Sources: MIMIT Investor Visa Committee, Legge 199/2025, Article 26-bis Legislative Decree 286/1998, Ministerial Decree 21 June 2017.
