Italy’s Investor Visa: Flexibility and Security in Uncertain Times?
For many international individuals and families, Italy is more than a place of beauty and culture – it is a country that has deliberately opened its doors to foreign capital and talent.
In 2017, the Italian Government introduced the Investor Visa for Italy, a program designed to attract high-net-worth individuals by offering residence rights in exchange for qualifying investments.
What appears to set this visa apart is its flexibility. While it grants the right to live and work in Italy, its renewal is not conditioned on an immediate or stable relocation that could trigger tax residency. Instead, the only requirement is to maintain the qualifying investment. This makes the program uniquely appealing to those who wish to secure a foothold in Italy and the EU while keeping their main base elsewhere.
Applicants can choose among several investment routes, from €250,000 in innovative start-ups to €2 million in government bonds and extend the permit to spouses and minor children.
Data would suggest the most common investment, however, seems the one for € 500,000 with the purchase of stocks of a large and stable Italian company. After five years, visa holders can apply for permanent residence; and after ten, for Italian citizenship.
Data also suggests that it is families who are finding Italy attractive from an educational perspective: the country hosts numerous international schools, where children of school age can pursue high-quality studies and obtain diplomas recognized in many countries worldwide.
In today’s increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment, many families are looking at Italy – and by extension the European Union – as a reliable “Plan B”: a safe jurisdiction where mobility, stability, and opportunity come together. The Italian Investor Visa seems to be answering this need.
Additionally, Italy also offers special tax regimes for new residents, independent of the type of visa obtained. These can make the country even more attractive for those who decide to transfer their tax residence.
We will be covering these opportunities in a forthcoming article.
How Judicare Can Assist
Our legal team in the UK and Italy are available to discuss and support clients by assessing their case, preparing the necessary applications, and representing them before the competent authorities. With professional representation, individuals and families are far better positioned to access the Visa programmes safely and swiftly.
If you are seeking advice on the options available for Visa’s in Italy, or would simply like more information on our fixed fee approach a member of our team will be happy to take your call on a confidential basis at 01438 840258 or via email to admin@judicaregroup.com
We can also arrange a free no obligation teleconference via Zoom/Skype.
Getting in touch will allow us to understand your individual circumstances and discuss with you your concerns and objectives. Working with you we can then decide upon the correct strategy to approach and find the solution which is right for you.