Program Overview

Golden Visa
Italy

Gain residency through investment in Italy with La Vida’s expert consultants.

Your Trusted Partner for Italy’s Golden Visa

At La Vida, we specialise in helping global investors access the world’s most desirable residency and citizenship programmes – and Italy’s Golden Visa is fast emerging as a top-tier option in Europe. Known for its culture, lifestyle, and global connectivity, Italy offers a straightforward residency-by-investment route for those investing in government bonds, innovative startups, or qualifying Italian companies. With no physical stay requirement and a clear path to long-term residency, the Italian Investor Visa combines flexibility with opportunity. Backed by over a decade of experience and clients in more than 160 countries, La Vida offers end-to-end, trusted guidance to ensure your investment aligns with both personal goals and long-term global plans.

Plan B Residency in the Heart Of Europe

La Vida’s experienced advisors understand the importance of second residency and the security and benefits it brings. Contact us today to begin your journey toward EU residency.

Italy Golden Visa Overview

Italy’s Golden Visa, often referred to as “La Dolce Visa,” was previously known as the Italian Investor Visa. This attractive residency programme grants foreign nationals the right to live in Italy by investing in one of the following qualifying areas:

€250,000 investment in an Italian innovative start-up company

€500,000 investment in an Italian limited company
€1,000,000 philanthropic donation
€2,000,000 invested in government bonds

While Italy’s Golden Visa programme doesn’t currently include direct real estate purchases, there is a smart alternative. The most accessible and cost-effective route is a €250,000 investment into a government-approved innovative company. La Vida has partnered with a specialised investment vehicle that focuses on hospitality and hotel redevelopment. Through this opportunity, investors can become shareholders in a real estate-backed business, combining the benefits of property exposure with a fully hands-off, passive investment. This route not only meets the lowest qualifying threshold for Italy’s Investor Visa but also offers a secure and streamlined path to EU residency.

€250,000 minimum investment

Active business investment

European & Schengen Zone Access

Potential Citizenship – 10 Years Residency

Full family residency

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Italy Golden Visa Resources

Qualifying Investment Options

Explore investment opportunities for the Golden Visa in Italy

Italy Citizenship & Passport

After ten years Italy Citizenship can be applied for

Italy Program News

Get the latest news and information on the Golden Visa Program

Italian Citizenship by Investment

Following investment and ten years of tax residency it is possible to apply for Italian citizenship. If you do not plan to live in Italy, but your end goal is citizenship within a European nation, then we advise looking at Portugal’s Golden Visa programme as an alternative solution.

What is Required for An Italian Golden Visa

Alongside the required investment, applicants will need to provide various documentation, including a clean police record, personal ID documents and proof of funds.

Process to obtain An Italian Golden Visa

Following a full consultation with La Vida and a pre-application background check, our advisors will assist you in choosing the most appropriate investment option for Italy’s Dolce Visa programme. From the date the file is completed, and the application is submitted, investors residency visas can often be approved as quickly as 60 days. Investors must make one trip to Italy during the process to submit biometric data, but most of the process can be completed remotely.

Italian Passport Strength

Italy’s passport is strong, offering visa-free access to around 197 countries and territories worldwide. These visa-free destinations cover 80.4% of worldwide GDP and 90.9% of worldwide travel. Italy ranks 35th in La Vida’s overall ranking of world passports and although passport strength would not be a sole consideration for gaining citizenship in Italy the benefits are a bonus for high net worth investors considering the Italian Golden Visa and are willing to settle for the required 10 year residency before applying for citizenship.

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Benefits of Italy’s Golden Visa Programme

Successful applicants will have the right to live, work and study in Italy. The main applicant can include their family, including their spouse, dependent children and dependent parents. Following five years of residency, applicants can apply for Permanent Residency and potentially citizenship after ten years of full-time residency. Italy is rich with culture, amazing landscapes, and fantastic food. The country is home to some of Europe’s most popular cities and tourist destinations attracting visitors from all over the globe.

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FAQ’s

How much does an Italian Golden Visa cost?

Italy’s Golden Visa (Dolce Visa) programme offers four investment options starting from €250,000 – €2,000,000, plus fees.

€2,000,000 invested in government bonds;
€1,000,000 philanthropic donation;
€500,000 investment in an Italian limited company;
€250,000 investment in an Italian innovative start-up company.

What are the benefits to holding residency in Italy?

There are several substantial benefits to Italian Residency obtained through investment. They include:

Visa-free travel access to the EU Schengen zone;
Family members can be included within your application;
Possibility to access Italy’s attractive tax incentives;
Possibility to apply for Italian Citizenship after 10 years of residency.

What documents are required for Italy’s Golden Visa application?

Documents applicants must provide include proof of identity such as a valid passport and birth certificate, proof of address, proof of medical insurance coverage, a clean police record certificate from the applicant’s country of origin and financial documents.

Is it easy to gain Italian Residency through the Golden Visa Programme?

The application process is fairly straightforward and applicants only need to make the investment commitment after gaining approval. Applicants are granted an initial two-year residency permit. Then to maintain their residency status applicants must upload details of their investment to the government online portal within three months.

Do I have to reside in Italy to qualify for the Golden Visa programme?

For the residency permit, there is no minimum stay requirement. However if the end goal is to obtain Italian Citizenship then applicants will need to reside full time in Italy and become tax residents for 10 years in order to qualify under the current Citizenship laws. Italy’s Passport ranks in the 35th position by La Vida’s Passport Index Report.

Do Italy have a real estate investment options for the Golden Visa programme?

Not directly. Italy’s Golden Visa does not allow for direct real estate purchases. However, La Vida is working with a government-approved company focused on hotel redevelopment, allowing investors to become shareholders in a real estate-backed business – qualifying under the €250,000 innovative company route.

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Testimonials

Outstanding Service. Thorough and detailed. Everyone I dealt with was good. Chelita was great at customer service and showed she cared.

Mr AUSA
August 2025

My overall experience with La Vida was very positive. Chelita was managing my case with assistance from Jude, Rebecca and Lukas. I always felt like I could reach out with any questions at any time

Mr OSouth Africa,
July, 2024

They were the most competitively priced company. Everything ran smooth.

Mr K Turkey
August 2025

Alternative Programs

Italy’s Golden Visa programme is best suited to those able to investment a substantial amount of capital (€250k+). La Vida also offers several other European Golden Visa programmes including those providing residency through investment in real estate, private equity funds or government donation. Such investments require minimum connection with the country and allow for freedom of travel within the European Schengen zone. These programmes can ultimately lead to Permanent Residency (PR) and Citizenship.

Life in Italy

For investors who choose to spend time in Italy, the country offers a familiar blend of tradition, refinement, and day-to-day ease Italian residency provides the flexibility to reside when desired, while enjoying Italy’s renowned culture, world-class cuisine, and relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle

Quality of life

Italy offers a well-established lifestyle shaped by familiar traditions, and respected public institutions. Major cities provide reliable infrastructure, efficient transport networks, and regional differences in cost of living give residents flexibility in where to live. An expanding international community, particularly in cities such as Milan, Rome, and Florence, offers a smooth transition for Americans and other internationals moving to Italy.

Healthcare

Italy’s healthcare system is consistently ranked among Europe’s most reliable, with both public and private providers offering accessible and cost-effective care. Private clinics deliver efficient appointments and experienced medical professionals, many with international backgrounds. This gives investors and families assurance that long-term residency includes access to trusted, high-quality healthcare.

Tax Incentives and Planning

Italy offers established tax incentives that are well suited to global investors. The €200,000 flat-tax regime remains a leading option for high-net-worth individuals seeking predictable treatment of foreign income. Regional tax benefits and structured allowances provide further flexibility depending on personal circumstances. For those considering a long-term wealth safeguarding plan, Italy’s residency by investment is a clear choice.

Alternative Residency By Investment Programs

There are a number of other EU Countries offering residency and citizenship programs.