Italy
Golden Visa Program

How long does it take to get Italian citizenship through the Investor Visa? 
The Golden Visa program itself grants residency quickly (in a few months), but citizenship is not immediate. You can apply for Italian citizenship after 10 years of legal residency in Italy. This is the standard naturalization timeline in Italy. In other words, an investor who moves to Italy and maintains residency can become eligible for citizenship 10 years from the start of residence. (Note: citizenship also requires passing a B1 Italian language test and meeting integration criteria.) Some investors choose to maintain the visa as a way to have EU access without full relocation, but to get the passport you will need to reside in Italy long-term. 

What is the minimum investment for Italy’s Golden Visa? 
The minimum investment amount is €250,000, which is the threshold for the innovative startup investment option. This is the lowest-cost route. The other options require €500,000 (company shares), €1,000,000 (donation), or €2,000,000 (government bonds). All four options qualify equally in terms of granting you the investor visa – you only need to choose one. €250,000 in a startup is thus the smallest investment that can get you Italian residency by investment. 

Does Italy allow dual citizenship? 
Yes. Italy permits dual citizenship, which means you can obtain Italian citizenship (after the required residency period) without losing your original citizenship. Many investors appreciate this, as it allows them and their family to enjoy an Italian/EU passport while retaining the rights of their home country. Always confirm that your home country also allows dual citizenship, but Italy itself imposes no restriction on dual nationality. 

Do I need to live in Italy to keep my residency? 
No – unlike some other golden visa programs, Italy’s Investor Visa does not mandate a minimum stay. You are not required to live in Italy full-time to maintain the residence permit. As long as you maintain the investment and renew your permit on time, your residency remains valid even if you spend most of the year outside Italy. This flexibility is a major benefit. However, if your goal is to achieve permanent residency or citizenship, you will eventually need to actually reside in Italy (5 years for permanent residence, 10 years for citizenship). But purely to keep the temporary 2-year/3-year permits, there is no specific day-count requirement per year. 

Can I qualify by buying real estate in Italy? 
No. Real estate investment is not an eligible category for the Italy Golden Visa. Unlike golden visas in some countries, you cannot simply purchase a house or property in Italy to qualify for this residency program. Italy’s investor visa focuses on financial investments or donations that benefit the economy (bonds, companies, startups, or philanthropic contributions). Of course, you are free to buy property in Italy as a foreigner, but it won’t count toward the visa criteria. 

What documents are required for the application? 
You will need to prepare a comprehensive set of documents for the Italy Investor Visa application, including: 

• Passport (valid) – plus copies of all key pages. Birth certificates for all applicants (to verify identities and family relationships) are also typically required. 

• Police Clearance Certificate – an official “clean criminal record” report from your country of citizenship and any country where you have recently lived. This must show no relevant criminal history. 

• Proof of Financial Means – documents proving you have the necessary funds for the investment. This includes recent bank statements and a bank letter confirming the legitimacy of your funds and that the money is available for transfer. You will also provide a signed Declaration of Commitment stating which investment you will make and your plan to do so within 3 months. 

• Investment/Donation Plan – a short explanation or letter (up to ~1,000 words) describing the nature of your intended investment or donation, and any relevant experience you have. If you are investing in a company or startup, details about the business can be included; if donating, details about the project or foundation. 

• Consent from Beneficiary (if applicable) – for example, if you plan to invest in a particular company or donate to a specific organization, a consent letter or agreement from the recipient may be required. 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) – a resume highlighting your professional background (education and work experience). This gives the committee context about your profile. 

• Italian Tax Code (Codice Fiscale) – while not always required at the initial online stage, you will eventually need to provide your Italian tax identification number, especially when applying for the residence permit. It’s wise to obtain this early. 

• Health Insurance Policy – proof of health insurance coverage in Italy (or travel medical insurance that can be used for the visa) for the applicant and any family members. This is needed when applying for the visa at the consulate. The policy should meet Schengen long-stay requirements (coverage for emergency and routine care). 

• Proof of Accommodation in Italy – by the time you apply for the visa or at least the residence permit, you should show an address in Italy (e.g., a rental contract, property deed, or an invitation from a host) where you plan to reside. This ensures you have a place to live upon moving. 

• Civil Status Documents – if you are including family members, you’ll need marriage certificates (for spouse) and birth certificates (for children), and possibly documents proving dependency (for adult children or parents) to include them in the application. These documents should be translated into Italian and legalized (apostilled) as necessary. 

All documents not originally in Italian (or English, in some cases) must be accompanied by an official translation. You will submit scanned copies for the initial Nulla Osta application, and later present originals at the consular visa interview. Our team will provide a detailed checklist and help you gather and translate all required documents to ensure a successful application.