Discover Three €500,000 Italian Investor Visa Options With Attractive Projected Returns…
How To Get The Italian Golden Visa In 2025 – And Earn Up To 15% IRR (Projected) In The Process…
Discover Everything You Need To Know About The Italian Investor Visa:
Also discover how you can obtain your Italian Golden Visa while earning a projected yield of up to 15% IRR – by investing in a regulated Italian Real Estate Fund…
Launched in 2017, the Italian Golden Visa is one of the most underrated programs of its kind globally.
Boasting an exceptionally fast application process (just 3-4 months), no minimum in-country presence requirements, a pre-approval step, as well as offering access to the country’s acclaimed €200,000 Lump Sum Tax Regime, Italy’s Golden Visa ticks a lot of critical boxes.
But unlike the Golden Visas of Spain and Greece, Italy doesn’t offer a direct real estate investment option.
(Although you can invest in a regulated Real Estate Investment Fund focusing on the Italian hospitality sector – and earn a projected yield of up to 15% IRR in the process.)
Why 2025 will be the year of the Italian Golden Visa Program…
In 2023, rising housing costs and market supply issues compelled Portugal to scrap its real estate option entirely. And Greece has now twice – in under two years – increased their minimum pricing to fight their property price inflation. Plus, Spain recently announced their intention to shutter the Spanish Golden Visa in its entirety.
So going into 2025, as the adage goes, all roads will increasingly lead to Rome.
Already we are seeing a significant increase in Italian Investor Visa enquiries from Americans and UK nationals, in particular.
Below, we highlight the Italian Golden Visa’s capital options as they stand.
We also highlight one Italian real estate fund that offers Golden Visa eligibility, hard asset backing, a projected yield of 15% IRR, as well as a clear exit strategy.
The Italian Investor Visa site, ordinarily accessible via the URL https://investorvisa.mise.gov.it/index.php/en, is presently down (as of 14 December 2024), and is presumably being updated.
We were able to retrieve some of the official program site’s most important pages and/or content via the WayBack Machine, a site that periodically saves snapshots of websites’ content and serves as an archive of the internet.
We include the retrieved archived page links below for your convenience. Please note, however, that some of this content may already be outdated.
INVESTOR VISA FOR ITALY – Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Archived Links):
- Main Page
- Why Invest In Italy
- Special Tax Regime for New Residents (Now Outdated)
- Incentives to investors: Italy’s Industria 4.0 Plan
- Investor Visa: How It Works
- Investor Visa For Italy Policy Guidance (PDF)
To find out more about your investment options under the Italian Investor Visa Program, click on the links below:
- €250,000: Italian Investor Visa Via Innovative Startup Investment
- €500,000: Italian Investor Visa By Real Estate Fund Investment
- €500,000: Italian Investor Visa Via Stock Investment (Curated Portfolio)
- €1 Million: Italian Investor Visa Via Philanthropic Donation
- €2 Million: Italian Investor Visa Via Government Bonds Investment.
To find out more about the application process and various program options for 2025, get in touch now.
Let’s get into the key program details below…
Italian Golden Visa Benefits
OWN YOUR SLICE OF
LA DOLCE VITA
Italy’s Golden Visa is your key to unlocking access to the world’s ultimate Plan B destination.
ENJOY VISA-FREE
SCHENGEN TRAVEL
Enjoy visa-free access to all 27 other Schengen countries for 90 out of every 180 days.
EXCEPTIONALLY FAST VISA APPROVAL PROCESS
Applicants are typically notified regarding their residency approvals in as little as 30 days.
TOTAL FLEXIBILITY –
COME & GO AS YOU PLEASE
Move to Italy full-time, visit there occasionally, or just keep the option to go live there as a back-up option – you decide.
ACCESS TO PUBLIC
HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Italian Golden Visa residents can register for free access to Italian National Health (including doctor’s consultations, hospital admissions, etc.), subject to an annual surcharge.
PEACE OF MIND
IS PART OF THE DEAL
Thanks to a program pre-approval step, you’ll get your 2-year residency permit before having to commit any capital.
CLEAR PATH TO
PR AND CITIZENSHIP
Apply for Permanent Residency (PR) after living in Italy for 5 years, and apply for citizenship after 10 years.
OPTIMIZE YOUR
WORLDWIDE TAXES
Foreign retirees can benefit from a 7% tax rate on their retirement income, and HNWIs can benefit from the €200,000 Lump Sum Tax Regime.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
REUNIFICATION PROCESS
Unlike as in Portugal, where family reunification is back-logged for up to two years+, this process is fast and efficient in Italy.
Italian Golden Visa Investment Options (2025)
€500,000
Italian Company
Shares/Stocks
MOST POPULAR OPTION
Please note that the minimum hold period for the investment based options (Innovative Startup, Company Shares or Stocks, and Italian Government Bonds) is two years. However, in order to renew your Golden Visa residency for an additional 3 years, you’ll have to maintain your investment.
In effect, therefore, you’ll have to maintain your Golden Visa investment for as long as you hold Temporary Residency status in Italy.
Now, let’s look at your available program options in more detail…
€250,000
Innovative Startup Investment
The cheapest Italian Investor Visa track, the Innovative Startup Investment, is also the one that carries the highest level of potential capital risk.
In order to qualify for the Innovative Startup Golden Visa, you will have to purchase stakes or shares in a qualifying innovative startup, i.e. in one of the companies referred to in art. 25, par. 2, of decree-law no. 179 of 18 October 2012, converted with amendments by law no. 221 of 17 December 2012 and subsequent amendments.
Similar to with the €500,000 Company Shares/Stocks track, the startup has to be deemed “active” and “operating” (as provided for by art. 26-bis, art. 1, lett. b, TUI). Crucially, it must have already filed at least one balance sheet at the date of the Investor Visa application.
The recipient company may be either listed or unlisted. Its name and tax code are a mandatory piece of information and must be indicated at the time of your Investor Visa application.
The official list of qualifying Innovative Italian Startups, which is updated regularly and accessible for free, can be viewed at startup.registroimprese.it, and is administered by the Italian Chambers of Commerce system.
€500,000
Italian Company Shares Or Stocks
To date, purchasing stakes or shares of an Italian Limited Company, incorporated and resident in Italy pursuant to article 73 of the TUIR (DPR 917/1986), has been the program track of choice for the majority of successful Italian Golden Visa applicants.
This is also the program track enabling you to invest, albeit indirectly, in Italian real estate (more details below).
A qualifying Italian company is considered to be “operating” (as provided for by art. 26-bis, art. 1, lett. b, TUI) if it is in active state and has already filed at least one balance sheet at the date of the visa application.
The recipient company may be either listed or unlisted. Its name and tax code are a substantial and mandatory piece of information and must be indicated at time of your Investor Visa application.
Again, please also note that you have to submit your application BEFORE purchasing your stocks or shares in an Italian company, otherwise the investment transaction will not be eligible for the Italian Golden Visa.
€1 Million
Public Interest Donation
Given the hefty capital requirement, the Public Interest Donation r0ute – is the least popular of the four available options.
In order to qualify for the Italian Golden Visa by Public Interest Donation, you have to make a non-refundable contribution to a project or initiative of public interest in any of one of the following fields:
- Culture
- Education
- Immigration Management (which is a hot-button issue in Italy at present)
- Scientific Research
- Preservation of the country’s cultural heritage
- Preservation of the country’s natural heritage.
Given that this is a non-refundable donation, there is no minimum hold period; you’ll never see your capital again.
Again, please note that you’ll need to submit your Italian Investor Visa application BEFORE making this non-refundable contribution, as donations made prior to your application will not be considered eligible.
€2 Million
Italian Government Bonds
All other things being equal, the Government Bonds option features the lowest risk profile of all the program tracks (including the Public Interest Donation entails a total loss of capital).
Under the Italian Government Bonds track, the following financial instruments are eligible:
- Treasury Certificates (CCT/CCTeu)
- Zero-coupon Treasury Bonds (CTZ)
- Long-term Treasury Bonds (BTP)
- Long-Term Treasury Bonds index-linked to Eurozone inflation
- BTP ITALIA.3
For each bond typology, a minimum residual maturity of no less than two years is required.
However, as with all of the other investment based Golden Visa options, you’ll have to maintain your investment for the entire duration of your Temporary Residency in Italy.
And again, you have to apply for your Golden Investor Visa BEFORE purchasing any of these qualifying securities.
Important: Italian Investor Visa applicants have to choose a single one of these categories, i.e. your capital cannot be deployed across more than one program option. Moreover, investments or contributions executed (even partially) before the visa application is submitted do NOT qualify for the Investor Visa…
Not Comfortable Making A
High-Risk Startup Investment Of €250,000?
Most Italian Investor Visa applicants opt for a €500,000 Italian stock or share investment option over the (typically) far riskier €250,000 innovative startup track.
Below, we highlight two options at the €500,000 price point – all offering attractive projected returns…
| Golden Visa Investment Option | REGULATED ITALIAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT FUND | INDIVIDUAL HOTEL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY (VENICE) | LARGE-CAP EVERGREEN ITALIAN STOCK PORTFOLIO |
|---|---|---|---|
| At A Glance | A regulated Italian property fund investing in existing, high-performing hospitality assets in Italy’s most sought-after tourism locations – without taking direct management risks. | A standalone hotel development opportunity in Venice. Notably, this option features a capital protected structure that delivers additional de-risking. | A Golden Visa eligible stock portfolio of leading Italian companies of global standing. Meticulously curated to strike a balance between capital preservation and growth. The portfolio is enhanced by a mix of strategic private placements and alternative investments. |
| Investment Vehicle | Regulated Italian Investment Fund (SICAF) | Italian Limited Company (Srl) | Italian Holding Company: A robust yet efficient structure fully audited with bi-annual updates and reporting. |
| Asset Allocation | Existing, cash-flowing real estate assets in Italy’s most sought-after tourism locations – without taking construction, licensing, or operating risks. | Standalone Hotel Asset | High-quality Italian stocks with strong brand equity, consistent consumer demand, and innovative product offerings. The mix of established market leaders and niche luxury brands provides both stability and growth potential, making it an attractive investment for long-term capital appreciation. |
| Projected Yield | 15% IRR | 4% P.A. – Paid Out Quarterly | 12% IRR |
| Minimum Hold Period | 5 Years | 5 Years | 1 Year |
| Underlying Real Estate Assets | Yes | Yes | No |
| FIND OUT MORE |
The Italian Golden Visa Vs Competing EU Golden Visas…
| USA Gold Card (Coming Soon) | Italy Golden Visa | Cyprus Golden Visa | Malta Golden Visa | Greece Golden Visa | Bulgaria Golden Visa | Portugal Golden Visa | Hungary Golden Visa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Capital Requirement | $5 million (Government Donation) | €250,000 (Startup); OR €500,000 (Stocks/Shares) | €300,000+ (NEW Real Estate) | €375,000+ (Property Purchase), OR €70,000 (Property Rental), + Additional Costs (€82,000 – €112,000+) | €250,000+ (Startup/ Conversion Property); €400,000 OR €800,000 (Zone A Or B Properties); | €512,000 (Fund); | €250,000 (Heritage Preservation/Artistic Production); OR €500,000 (Golden Visa Fund) | €250,000 (Real Estate Fund) |
| Immediate Permanent Residency Status | TBC | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No (But Valid For 2 x 10 Years) |
| Minimum In-Country Presence Requirement | TBC | No | 1 Visit Every 2 Years | No | No | No | On Average, 7 Days Per Year | No |
| Path To Citizenship | Yes | Yes | Yes | Technically, Yes (Though In Practice, No) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Technically, Yes (Though In Practice, No) |
| Address In Italy Required (Rented or Purchased)? | TBC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Annual Income Requirement? | TBC | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Health Insurance Coverage Required? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Primary Applicant Age? | 18 Years | 18 Years | 18 Years | 18 Years | 18 Years | 18 Years | 18 Years | 18 Years |
| Family Members Eligible For Inclusion | Yes | Yes (Children Under 18, or Over 18 If Financially Dependent on Primary Applicant Due To Permanent Disablement, And Financially Dependent Parents Over 65 Years Old). | Yes (Including Children Under 25 – T&Cs apply) | Yes (Include Up To 4 Generations.) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 18 Years (Including Children Up To 24) |
| Russians and Belarusians Eligible? | TBC | Contact Us For Latest Status | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Language Requirement | TBC | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Schengen Visa-Free Access | No | Yes | Reportedly Coming Soon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Key Program Requirements
| Italian Investor Visa | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Person Net Worth Requirement? | No |
| Address In Italy Required (Rented or Purchased)? | Yes |
| Minimum Annual Income Requirement? | Yes (€8,500+ per year) |
| Passive Income Requirement? | No |
| Health Insurance Coverage Required? | Yes |
| Minimum Primary Applicant Age? | 18 Years |
| Family Members Eligible For Inclusion | Spouse, Parents, Children Under 18 |
| Russians and Belarusians Eligible? | Not Currently |
| Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment) Required? | Yes |
| Clean Criminal Record Required? | Yes |
| Clean Source of Funds Requirement? | Yes |
| Detailed CV and proof of qualifications held? | Yes |
| Minimum In-Country Presence Requirement? | None (0 Days Per Year) |
| Tax Liabilities Triggered? | Typically only after 182 days p.a. spent in Italy |
The Italian Golden Visa Application Process (2025)
Getting Your Nulla Osta (Certificate Of No Impediment)
Getting the so-called Nulla Osta (AKA a Certificate of No Impediment) is a vital step in the Italian Investor Visa application process.
In essence, this document confirms that your proposed investment (and the investment vehicle you’re opting for) meets the program requirements as set out in Italian law.
Importantly, the actual transfer of funds is only required AFTER you’ve received visa approval, thus significantly reducing the level of risk up-front.
The steps required in obtaining the Nulla Osta typically include:
- Obtain an Italian Digital e-Signature: Obtain your Italian e-Signature with the help of your case advisor. The Digital e-Signature (Firma Digitale) is a legally recognized electronic signature used in Italy to sign documents digitally, ensuring their authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation.
- Register on the Investor platform: Register on the official Italian Investor Visa platform, accessible at investorvisa.mise.gov.it.
- Submit your application: The official application form must be completed in either English or Italian. Essential supporting documentation must also be uploaded to this site (see the most important documentation to be included below).
- Program compliance checks: The Investor Visa Committee Secretariat reviews the application for completeness and compliance, and reverts with additional document requirements, if needed.
- Investment eligibility evaluation: A multi-stakeholder committee reviews and confirms the eligibility of the proposed investment. If approved, the Nulla Osta is electronically signed and issued.
- Submit your visa application: With the Nulla Osta, you must apply for your D (Settlement) Visa at the Italian consulate within a maximum of 6 months.
- Apply for residency in Italy: Upon entry into Italy, you will have 8 working days to apply for a residence permit, with the assistance of your case advisor.
- Make your eligible investment: From the point of applying for your residency in Italy, you will have a maximum of 3 months (90 days) to make the intended investment.
What documentation should be included in my application?
- Personal details and passport copy
- Curriculum Vitae
- Clean criminal record certificate (apostilled)
- Detailed description of the chosen investment (in this case, the innovative startup)
- Proof of funds (bank statements, plus a FATF-compliant declaration letter from the bank)
- Declaration of commitment to make an eligible investment.
Why Choose Our Services?
IN-COUNTRY PROGRAM EXPERTS
Highly experienced team of investment migration, property development and hospitality experts based in Rome, Venice and Milan.
EXCLUSIVE PROJECT ACCESS
We enjoy early access to high-end hospitality projects meeting the requirements of the Investor Visa Program, as well as high-potential startup opportunities.
MEANINGFUL PROJECTED RETURNS
Unlike with most Golden Visa investments, with this hospitality fund, you can expected to earn a projected return of 15% IRR, and 9-11% on the large-cap stock portfolio option.
CLEAR
EXIT
STRATEGY
While the fund has a 10-year lifecycle, exits are possible after just 5 years, making flexibility part of the deal.
What our clients are saying about our European Golden Visa services…
Make La Dolce Vita yours in 2025. To get started on your Italian Investor Visa application, contact us today.
Simply complete the below form to request contact from one of our senior program specialists. Our Zoom booking link will load when you submit this form.
Contact Us Now For More Information
Email: contact@goldenvisas.it
Telephone: + 39 800 126 388
Address: Via Durini 25B, 20122, Milano, Italia
Web: www.goldenvisas.it
Italian Investor Visa Overview (2025) Compiled By…
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Andre Bothma is a seasoned digital entrepreneur specializing in European Residency By Investment programs (and the Italian Investor Visa, in particular).
After graduating from Rhodes University in 2002, he spent two decades building a career in online marketing.
He also previously served as national marketing director for the official political opposition in South Africa.
Given the challenges faced by the Portuguese Golden Program in recent years, many North American Plan B seekers have started looking at alternative European Golden Visa options.
And, going into 2025, the Italian Investor Visa is arguably the most underrated program of its kind.
With these factors in mind, Andre launched GoldenVisas.it with a view to give foreign Plan B investors access to the information and opportunities they need to secure their Italian back-up plan – discretely, securely, and hassle-free.
Andre is a prolific writer on investment migration, and has been advising an international client base on their European Residency and Citizenship By Investment options since 2017.
He splits his time between Porto, Cape Town, and increasingly, Milan.
