Italy golden visa: residency by investment

Rules for citizens of sanctioned countries

Following a 2022 European Commission recommendation, Italy suspended the investor visa for Russian and Belarusian citizens by order of the committee chair on 14 July 2023. Since 20 March 2024 the suspension also covers nationals of other countries who hold a second, Russian or Belarusian, passport. For these applicants we suggest other routes to Italy or countries whose investment programmes remain open to them.

Four investment options

Besides the investment, the applicant must show means to live on and health insurance, and have housing in Italy, bought or rented.

Which option to choose

• Startup from $281,000 (250,000 euros) - the lowest threshold but the highest risk: a young company may fail, and the stake is hard to sell.
• Company from $562,000 (500,000 euros) - suits those who want to take part in a real Italian business or buy into an existing company.
• Philanthropy from $1.13 million (1 million euros) - the money is not returned, but there is no investment risk or business reporting.
• Bonds from $2.25 million (2 million euros) - the most conservative option with your money returned, but a large sum is locked for 2 years.

Before applying we check the startup or company: registration, accounts, owners and exit terms.

How much Italian residence costs in 2026

• investment - from $281,000 (250,000 euros), in a startup; from $562,000 (500,000 euros), in a company; from $1.13 million (1 million euros), in philanthropy; from $2.25 million (2 million euros), in bonds;
• national visa at the consulate - per consular tariff;
• state fee and residence card cost, paid at the post office when applying to the police;
• health insurance, rent, translation and legalisation of documents;
• legal due diligence on the company or startup if you invest in a business;
• our support, if you hand the process to us.

For a family there is one investment, while visas, permits and insurance are arranged for each member. A manager will calculate the total for your family in the chat. Dollar amounts use the market rate of 20 October 2026, 1.1229 dollars per euro, rounded up.

Documents

• passport;
• proof that you hold the investment amount: bank statements and letters;
• documents on the lawful source of these funds;
• a written commitment to invest within 3 months of entry;
• proof of means to live in Italy beyond the investment;
• a criminal record certificate;
• health insurance;
• after entry, a housing document and proof of the investment made.

Documents from other countries need an apostille and translation into Italian or English. The committee may request additional papers.

What to check before applying

• Russian and Belarusian citizens and dual nationals with a Russian or Belarusian passport;
• the source of funds is unproven;
• the investment is not made within 3 months of entry;
• bonds sold before 2 years or company investment withdrawn;
• the startup is not on the innovative startup register;
• no means to live on, housing or insurance.

Family

A spouse, minor children and dependent parents can obtain family reunification permits. They need apostilled and translated marriage and birth certificates, housing of adequate size and proof of funds for the whole family. Children can attend Italian state and international schools.

Path to permanent residence and citizenship

• European Union long-term status - after 5 years of legal residence, with Italian language and sufficient income.
• Citizenship by naturalisation - for nationals from outside the European Union generally after 10 years of legal residence, with intermediate Italian.

The period counts actual legal residence, so for those who live in Italy only part of the time the path to a passport takes longer.

Taxes

Italian tax residents pay progressive income tax on worldwide income. New residents may opt for a special regime: a flat tax on foreign income, which for those moving from 1 January 2026 is $337,000 (300,000 euros), a year plus $56,200 (50,000 euros) per family member, instead of the standard calculation. For those who moved between 10 August 2024 and 2025 it is $225,000 (200,000 euros). It benefits people with large incomes outside Italy. See taxes in Italy.

Risks and what can change

• Nationality restrictions are set by committee decision and European Union recommendations.
• Startup or company investment is a business risk: the stake may lose value.
• A donation is not refunded.
• The new resident tax regime has already become more expensive and may change.

Alternatives

• Greek residence by investment - property investment.
• Maltese residence - an island in Schengen.
• Spanish residence - several grounds without large investment.
• Italy digital nomad visa - for remote work.

What changed and what we rely on

Since 14 July 2023 the investor visa has been suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens, and since 20 March 2024 also for dual nationals with a Russian or Belarusian passport. The flat tax on foreign income for new residents rose to $225,000 (200,000 euros) a year for arrivals after 10 August 2024 and to $337,000 (300,000 euros) for arrivals from 1 January 2026 under the 2026 budget law. Sources: the investor visa programme site of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and the Italian Revenue Agency; checked on 6 October 2026.

Advantages of an Italian residence permit

How to get Italian residence via the investor visa: step by step

FAQ