In short. To obtain an investor visa, Italy requires a minimum investment under Article 26-bis of the Consolidated Immigration Act: 250,000 euros in an innovative start-up, 500,000 euros in an Italian company, a 1-million donation to a public-interest project or 2 million euros in government bonds. You apply online for clearance (nulla osta), which the Committee reviews within 30 days, then receive a two-year “investor” residence permit that can be renewed. Meeting a threshold does not guarantee a visa.
The Italy investor visa lets you move to Italy if you invest a minimum amount set by Article 26-bis of the Consolidated Immigration Act. Options start at 250,000 euros in an innovative start-up and go up to 2 million in government bonds. You apply online for clearance (nulla osta) and receive a two-year “investor” residence permit that can be renewed.
The other routes are 500,000 euros in an Italian company or a 1-million donation to a public-interest project. Unlike salaried work, this visa does not depend on the Decreto Flussi quotas. The Investor Visa for Italy programme publishes the thresholds for these four categories: check the current official portal for eligibility, evidence and timing.
This guide covers the amounts, documents, procedure, costs and the mistakes to avoid.
Investor visa Italy: what is it and who is it for?
It is a national type D visa, meaning it covers stays longer than 90 days. Italy introduced it in the 2017 Budget Law to attract foreign capital. It suits entrepreneurs, private investors and families with significant assets.
It works well if you want to live in Italy and take part in its economy without an employment contract. If you only want to live on your own income, the elective residence visa is another option with different requirements.
Compared with other routes, the advantages are clear: no annual quota, a review with a fixed deadline and a path to long-term residence. You need neither an Italian employer nor a job contract.
The investor can bring family members through family reunification, under Article 29 of the Act: see our guide to family reunification in Italy.
What are the minimum investment amounts?
The law offers four options. The money must be your own and stay invested for at least two years.
- 2,000,000 euros in bonds issued by the Italian government;
- 500,000 euros in equity of a company incorporated and operating in Italy;
- 250,000 euros if the company is an innovative start-up listed in the special section of the Business Register;
- 1,000,000 euros as a philanthropic donation to a public-interest project. Eligible fields are culture, education, immigration management, scientific research and the recovery of cultural and landscape heritage.
On top of the investment, you must show enough resources to support yourself during your stay. Keep the two amounts separate.
Can buying a house in Italy get you the visa?
No. Real estate is not one of the investments allowed by Article 26-bis. A home can serve as your accommodation, but it does not count as a qualifying investment.
What documents do you need for the nulla osta?
The portal and forms are available in Italian and English. Foreign documents usually need translation and legalisation or an apostille: see our guide to apostille and legalisation of foreign documents.
- a copy of your valid passport;
- proof that the funds are available and can be transferred to Italy;
- certification that the funds come from lawful sources;
- a written commitment to invest or donate, with details of the deal and the beneficiary;
- proof of resources to support yourself;
- a criminal record certificate;
- a CV.
How do you prove the funds are lawful?
This is the most sensitive part of the file. You need a paper trail linking your current wealth to its source: salary, business profits, asset sales or an inheritance.
Typical evidence includes bank statements, tax returns, company accounts, sale deeds or probate documents. The clearer the money trail, the faster the Committee can decide.
False statements or forged documents carry a prison sentence of eighteen months to six years.
How does the procedure work, from clearance to permit?
The process has three stages, mostly handled online. Everything runs through the Investor Visa for Italy portal of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
How do you obtain the nulla osta?
You create an account, fill in the forms and upload your documents. The final declaration must carry a digital signature. An inter-ministerial Committee reviews the file and replies within 30 days.
If something is missing, the Committee asks for more documents, due within 30 days. Once cleared, you have six months to apply for the visa at the competent Italian consulate.
What happens after you arrive in Italy?
The investor visa is valid for two years. Within eight working days of entry you apply for your residence permit. The investment or donation must be completed within three months of arrival.
The first “investor” permit lasts two years. It is revoked if you do not invest within three months, or if you sell before the two years are up.
How do you renew the investor permit?
The permit is renewed for three more years if the investment is maintained. You file again through the portal, as a rule at least 90 days before expiry (the term of the Consolidated Immigration Act after Legislative Decree 83/2026: check the portal instructions). After five years of residence you can apply for the EU long-term residence permit.
How much does the investor visa cost?
The clearance application is filed online on the ministry portal. The type D national visa costs 116 euros in consular fees.
Add the costs of the residence permit, translations, legalisation and a digital signature. The main outlay is of course the investment itself, which is not a fee but money that remains yours.
Timelines from clearance to the consulate appointment vary by consulate, so plan the steps well in advance.
What mistakes lead to refusal or revocation?
Most refusals come from weak evidence about the funds. The most common problems are:
- no clear, traceable proof that the money was earned lawfully;
- funds that are not your own, such as undocumented loans or third-party capital;
- investments that do not qualify, such as property or companies not operating in Italy;
- failing to complete the investment within three months of entry;
- selling your shares before two years;
- a criminal record, or documents without legalisation.
If the consulate refuses the visa after clearance, specific remedies exist. See our guide on how to appeal an Italian visa refusal. For an overview of all visa types, read our Italian entry visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for the Italian investor visa?
The official portal lists four thresholds: 250,000 euros in an innovative start-up, 500,000 euros in a company incorporated and operating in Italy, 1 million euros as a philanthropic donation to a public-interest project and 2 million euros in Italian government bonds. The money must be your own and stay invested for at least two years.
Can I get the investor visa by buying property?
No. Real estate is not one of the investments allowed by Article 26-bis of the Consolidated Immigration Act. A home in Italy can serve as your accommodation, but it does not count as a qualifying investment, and property purchases are a common reason for an ineligible application.
How long does the clearance take?
The inter-ministerial Committee reviews the file submitted on the Investor Visa for Italy portal and replies within 30 days. If documents are missing, it asks for them and you have 30 days to provide them. Once cleared, you have six months to apply for the visa at the competent consulate.
How long is the investor residence permit valid?
The first “investor” permit lasts two years and is revoked if you do not invest within three months of arrival or sell before two years. It can then be renewed for three more years if the investment is maintained, applying through the portal, as a rule at least 90 days before expiry.
Can my family join me in Italy?
Yes. The investor can bring family members through family reunification under Article 29 of the Consolidated Immigration Act. Family members must meet the legal conditions for reunification, and their documents are assessed separately from the investor’s clearance and visa application.
Official sources
- Investor Visa for Italy — official portal
- Consolidated Immigration Act, art. 26-bis — Normattiva (Italian legislation)
- Visa for Italy portal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sources were consulted on 15 October 2026. Laws, procedures and fees can change: always check the latest instructions of the investor visa portal and the competent consulate.
How can SH Immigration Specialists help?
The investor visa combines immigration rules, company law and proof of financial flows, and a mistake in the type of investment or the source of funds can block the whole process. SH Immigration Specialists provides administrative and document assistance: checking which investment category fits your plans, organising the evidence of lawful funds, preparing translations and apostilles, and following the clearance, visa and residence permit steps. If your investment goes through an Italian company, the steps to set one up are in our guide on how to open an SRL in Italy as a foreigner. Legal advice, appeals and representation are handled by the lawyers of SH Immigration Specialists. The outcome depends on the competent authorities. For an assessment, contact us.
This content provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
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Which other guides may help you?
- Golden visa Italy: full official guide
- Elective residence visa Italy: requirements, income and permit
- Self-employment visa and residence permit in Italy
- Italian tax code for foreigners
- How to open an SRL in Italy as a foreigner: steps, notary and costs
- Types of Italian visa: complete list and guides
