Italy
Gold visa

Italy Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa)


Overview:
Introduced by Law No. 232/2016, the Italian Investor Visa (La Dolce Visa) grants a long-term residence permit to non-EU citizens for making significant capital investments in the Italian economy. The program is currently suspended for citizens of Russia and Belarus, including those holding dual citizenship where one is Russian or Belarusian.

Processing Time:
After submitting an online application (Nulla Osta) via the official portal, preliminary approval takes about 30 days. A visa must then be obtained at the consulate (typically 2–4 weeks). Upon arrival in Italy, the applicant must apply for the residence permit within 8 working days and complete the investment within 3 months. The entire process from application to receiving the residence card takes 3–6 months.

Pathway to Citizenship:
  • Permanent Residence: Can be obtained after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
  • Italian Citizenship: Eligible after 10 years of legal residence, requiring language proficiency at Level B1 and social integration.

Eligible Family Members:
Spouse and financially dependent children; parents under specific conditions.

Key Benefits:
  • Two-year residence permit, renewable for three years, provided the investment is maintained.
  • Freedom of travel within the Schengen Area.
  • Access to the Italian national health service and education system.
  • No mandatory physical presence requirement to maintain the initial permit; a registered Italian address (PEC) suffices.

Physical Presence Requirements:
  • Initial Permit: The investor must visit Italy to submit documents and complete the investment, but there is no fixed minimum stay.
  • For Permanent Residence: For the 5-year qualifying period, absences must not exceed 6 consecutive months or a total of 10 months.

Minimum Investment Options:
The visa is granted for investment in one of the following categories:
  1. €2,000,000 in Italian government bonds held for at least two years.
  2. €500,000 in the share capital of an Italian limited company (società per azioni).
  3. €250,000 in an innovative Italian startup registered in the official innovative enterprises registry.
  4. €1,000,000 as a philanthropic donation to a project of public interest (culture, education, scientific research, heritage restoration).
  5. Investments must be made with own funds (no debt financing) and maintained for the entire validity of the permit.

Documentation & Requirements:
Valid passport, proof of legal fund origin, police clearance certificate, health insurance, proof of accommodation in Italy, and proof of sufficient financial resources (minimum annual income of approx. €8,500). After arrival, proof of the completed investment must be provided within 3 months.

Right to Live and Work:
Investor Visa holders have the right to live, study, and work in Italy. After five years of continuous residence, they qualify for a permanent residence permit, granting full work rights and access to social benefits.

Taxation:
Tax residency is determined by physical presence. Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates. Eligible individuals may opt for the "lump-sum tax regime for new residents", involving a fixed annual tax of €100,000 on foreign-source income.

Excluded Nationalities:
The program is suspended for citizens of Russia and Belarus (including dual citizens with Russian or Belarusian nationality).