✈ As of April 2022 Italy has introduced the Digital Nomad Visa
✈ As of April 2022 Italy has introduced the Digital Nomad Visa
Italy provides several favorable immigration pathways for foreign nationals to reside, work or retire in Italy.
Digital Nomad Visa
As of April 2022, Italian authorities have announced the introduction of Digital Nomad visas.
This presents a unique opportunity to live & work in Italy for freelancers, remote workers, WFHs, and other professionals
Elective Residency Visa
An immigration pathway for those who intend to relocate to Italy without employment.
A great visa option for investors, entrepreneurs, pensioners and others seeking to shift their residency to Italy.
ELIGIBILITY
must demonstrate financial stability (€32,000 per year)
cannot rely on employment in italy for proof of financial stability
INCOME MUST DERIVE FROM VALID SOURCES OF REVENUES (I.E. PENSIONS, ANNUITIES, DIVIDENDS)
demonstrate proof of domicile in italy (rented or owned)
SPOUSE & CHILDREN ARE CONSIDERED DEPENDENTS
BENEFITS
FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN
ACCESS TO NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES
ABILITY TO OBTAIN PERMANENT RESIDENCY (AFTER 5-YEARS)
LEADS TO A ITALIAN CITIZENSHIP (AFTER 10-YEARS)
SHORT PROCESSING TIMES
ABILITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ITALIAN IMPATRIATE TAX REGIME
Our Italian legal and financial advisors are bilingual and maintain decades of combined experience representing foreign nationals.
INVESTOR VISA for Italy
An immigration pathway for non-EU citizens who choose to invest in strategic qualified investment vehicles for Italy:
€ 2 million in Italian government bonds
€ 500,000 in an Italian limited company
€ 250,000 in an Italian innovative startup
€ 1 million in a philanthropic initiative
BENEFITS
2-year visa with long-term planning options
ability to earn profits & interest on investment
diverse investment options
ACCESS TO european union
WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR APPLICANT & SPOUSE
ELIGIBILITY
available for non-eu citizens
MUST DEMONSTRATE LEGAL-SOURCE OF FUNDS
NO SERIOUS CRIMINAL RECORDS
INVESTMENT INTO QUALIFYING italian investment vehicle
START-UP ITALIA VISA PROGRAM
€ 50,000 minimum investment in a new Italian company
€ 100,000 investment in an existing Italian company
BENEFITS
ABILITY TO WORK FOR THE ITALIAN ENTITY
ACCESS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
access to ITALIAN BUSINESS “INCUBATORS”
national tax-incentives for “innovative companies”
ELIGIBILITY
AVAILABLE FOR NON-EU NATIONALS
minimum INVESTMENT of €50,000 or €100,000
MUST BE CLASSIFIED AS AN “INNOVATIVE COMPANY”
Annual sales are not greater than € 5,000,000
Italian Citizenship by Descent
Do you have Italian ancestry? Italy provides a clear immigration pathway for those who are able to trace their lineage back to Italy. Known as “Jus Sanguinis” — this Italian Naturalisation process is very relevant in countries like the United States, Brazil, Argentina and other parts of Europe.
ITALIAN IMMIGRATION: RESIDENCY, VISAS & CITIZENSHIP
How can I become an Italian Citizen?
There are several potential ways to ultimately obtain an Italian passport and become a citizen. For example, the Elective Residency Visa permits an individual to apply for citizenship after 1o-years.
One of the most direct pathways to Italian Citizenship is through descent. Through a process known as “Jus Sanguinis” anyone who has Italian ancestry may be eligible to become an Italian Citizen by effectively tracing your family lineage. This Italian Naturalization process can be complicated, and we urge you to speak with a qualified immigration attorney.
Can I work in Italy? What visa do I need?
In order to obtain work authorization in Italy it is necessary to have a permit of stay (i.e. permesso di soggiorno). Once you obtain your residence permit, there are a number of social-benefits that you receive, including the ability to legally work.
How do I get a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) for Italy?
There needs to be a legal basis for being granted your permesso di soggiorno. Notably, the requirements are very different for European Union (EU) v. Non-European Union (i.e. USA / China / United Kingdom) countries.
If you are an EU citizen — you need to follow the procedures of the local questura (i.e. police station) and commune (i.e. town hall). We encourage you to speak with one of our Italian Immigration & Residency specialists today to learn more about this process.
If you are NOT an EU Citizen — you will need a valid visa (i.e. elective residency, student visa, investor visa) that permits you to stay in Italy and obtain the permesso di soggiorno.
I am a British National — what will happen if I want to live in Italy after Brexit?
Starting in 2021, British Nationals will be treated as Non-EU citizens for purposes of immigration & residency matters. It is encouraged that you speak with an Italian Immigration specialist to sort out your residency and immigration needs.
Do I need to pay tax in Italy?
Generally — if you reside in Italy for over 183-days you will become a “fiscal resident” and be required to pay taxes.
READ MORE about Italian Taxes and Solutions here.
Am I able to work in Italy with the elective residency visa?
You must demonstrate the ability to support you and your family. You are not eligible for employment in Italy in order to meet this requirement. However, you are able to own and direct a business in Italy — you can receive dividends and distributions from this company.
Can I start my own business in Italy?
Yes — foreign-nationals may own and register a business in Italy. Depending on several factors (i.e. proposed position), you may also hire EU nationals to work for your Italian company. Keep in mind that you will still need the proper visa if you wish to reside in Italy.
Can I do freelance work in Italy?
This depends on your immigration goals as well. For example, Italy does have an immigration pathway for those who do not own a business or have an employer in Italy. This “self-employment” visa is very appropriate for independent contractors, digital nomads, and other freelancers who may wish to reside in Italy while conducting there normal working activities.
NOTE: The “freelance” visa in Italy is subject to Italy’s annual quota-system. The availability of this self-employment visa will depend on the nature of your work (i.e. the official category that your application will be classified as). Therefore, it is important to understand all the requirements set-forth by the respective Italian Consulate (i.e. proof that you will have stable income and the financial ability to support yourself) , as they will be adjudicating this application and issuing the visa.