OpenItaly

Italy Investor Visa: Cost, Requirements & Processing Time (2026)

The short version

Italy Investor Visa requires a minimum investment of €250,000 (€250,000 in an Italian innovative startup (startup innovativa)), with residency in ~3–6 months and a path to citizenship in 10 years.

Investment routes compared

Route type	Amount (EUR)	Notes	Primary?
Startup investment	€250,000	Italian innovative startup registered with Chambers of Commerce.
Company shares / equity	€500,000	Equity investment in Italian limited company (SRL/SPA).	Most common
Government bonds	€2,000,000	Italian government bonds (BTPs etc.) with ≥2-year residual maturity.
Philanthropic donation	€1,000,000	Donation to Italian public-interest project (culture, education, research, heritage).

At a glance

€250,000 minimum qualifying investment
~3–6 months expected end-to-end processing
10 years of residence citizenship timeline
Schengen access travel rights
No minimum stay physical-presence requirement

Physical presence: None required for the permit. Tax residency triggers at 183+ days.

Official program source · Source: Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE) · Last verified Apr 15, 2026 · Verify current rules with an authorized immigration adviser or the destination's consulate before applying.

Next review 2026-07-15.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum investment for the Italy Investor Visa?

The minimum qualifying investment is €250,000. €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup (startup innovativa). Qualifying routes: Startup investment (€250,000); Company shares / equity (€500,000); Government bonds (€2,000,000); Philanthropic donation (€1,000,000) Most applicants use the Company shares / equity route (€500,000).

How long does the Italy Investor Visa take to process?

Expected end-to-end processing is ~3–6 months. Nulla osta processed in parallel with consulate visa — fastest EU option.

Can I get citizenship through the Italy Investor Visa, and when?

Citizenship is available after 10 years of legal residence. Requires B1 Italian language test. Continuous legal residence during the 10 years. It can lead to EU citizenship.

What is the physical-presence requirement for the Italy Investor Visa?

None required for the permit. Tax residency triggers at 183+ days.

Are my spouse and children included in the Italy Investor Visa?

Spouse, minor children, dependent adult children, dependent parents can be included.

Does the Italy Investor Visa grant Schengen access?

Yes. Italy Investor Visa grants Schengen-area travel access.

Is the Italy Investor Visa currently open to new applicants?

The programme is currently open.

Who regulates the Italy Investor Visa?

Italy Investor Visa is administered by Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE). The canonical source is https://investorvisa.mise.gov.it/. Facts last verified 2026-04-15; next review 2026-07-15.