8 ways to obtain Italian residency in 2025

Italy - with its rich culture, superb cuisine and high quality of life - is a magnet for migrants the world over. A residence permit (ВНЖ) lets foreign nationals live in the country legally for an extended period. Here are the main routes to Italian residency.

Grounds for Italian residency

Investment

An investor first obtains a type-D visa and then applies for a residence permit. The available investment options are:

• a startup (from 250,000 euros);
• a business (from 500,000 euros);
• a philanthropic contribution to socially significant projects (1 million euros);
• government bonds (2 million euros).

The permit is issued for two years, can be renewed for a further three, and then opens the way to permanent residency.

Family reunification

Close family members of an Italian citizen or resident can qualify for a permit. The person inviting their relatives must show that they own or rent property in the country and have income sufficient to support the new arrivals.

Financial independence

An applicant on this route must demonstrate passive income of at least 31,000 euros and buy or rent housing in Italy. In return, they may not work or run a business in the country.

Business

The applicant must submit a business plan for their venture, prove access to capital of at least 500,000 euros, and buy or rent a home.

Skilled professionals

• the EU Blue Card - a permit for highly qualified workers;
• Lavoro Casi Particolari Previsti - a permit for a special category of professionals with outstanding achievements and experience in their field.

Employment

Any foreign national who has signed an employment contract with a local company can apply for Italian residency.

Study

Students enrolled in Italian schools, universities or language courses are eligible for a residence permit.

Medical treatment

Any foreign national undergoing a lengthy course of treatment at a public or private clinic may obtain a permit.

Clergy and refugees

Separate grounds for residency exist for religious workers and refugees.

Benefits of Italian residency

• a fallback base within the EU;
• visa-free travel throughout the Schengen area;
• a path toward Italian citizenship;
• life in a developed European country;
• free education and healthcare.

What changed in 2025-2026

• The investor visa has been suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens since 14 July 2023, and since 20 March 2024 also for dual nationals with a Russian or Belarusian passport.
• The flat tax for new residents on foreign income: €100,000 before August 2024, €200,000 for those who moved after 10 August 2024, and €300,000 plus €50,000 per family member for those moving from 1 January 2026.
• Income tax on income from €28,000 to €50,000 fell from 35% to 33% in 2026, while tax on crypto-assets rose from 26% to 33%.
• Digital nomad visas have been available since 2024, with no separate tax regime.

Amounts for 2026

Rate: €1 = $1.1209, rounded up.

• Investor visa - from €250,000, about $280,100, in an innovative startup, from €500,000, about $560,200, in a company, from €1,000,000, about $1,120,400, in philanthropy, from €2,000,000, about $2,240,800, in bonds. A 2-year permit renewable for 3.
• Elective residence - passive income from €31,000 a year, a home in Italy, no right to work.
• Digital nomad - highly skilled remote work with income at or above the threshold set for this visa.

More in Italy residence by investment.

Documents and timeline for the investor visa

1. Application on the programme site - passport, proof of lawful source of funds, investment plan, police certificate.
2. Committee decision - about 30 days, then clearance for the visa.
3. National visa at the Italian consulate where you live.
4. Investment within 3 months of entry and the residence permit application at the post office.
5. A 2-year card - renewed for 3 years if the investment is maintained.

Taxes for new residents

• Income tax - 23-43% plus regional and municipal surcharges.
• Inbound specialists - 50-60% of income tax-free for 5 years.
• Retirees in small southern municipalities - 7% on all foreign income for 10 years.
• Wealthy families - a flat €300,000 a year on foreign income.
• The treaty with Russia - Russia suspended most of its articles in 2023.

More in Italian taxes.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship

EU long-term resident status comes after 5 years of legal residence, with Italian and sufficient income. Naturalisation for non-EU nationals generally comes after 10 years of legal residence, with intermediate Italian.

How to choose a basis

• You have capital and your passport is not restricted - the investor visa, with a committee decision in 30 days.
• You have passive income - elective residence, with no right to work.
• You work remotely - the digital nomad visa.
• You have a job offer - the EU Blue Card or a quota work visa.
• Nationality restrictions: for Russian citizens, instead of the investor visa there are elective residence, work, study and family, plus programmes in other countries: Greece residence and Malta residence.

How we help

1. We choose the basis with your citizenship and taxes in mind.
2. We prepare documents, translations and filings at the consulate and in Italy.
3. We help choose the tax regime in the year of the move: reliefs cannot be claimed retroactively.

We fix our fee in writing after a consultation; the total for your family is in the chat.

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