Move to Italy: Obtain a residence permit in Italy

Italy

Our team assists individuals and families through the intricate process of moving to Italy and obtaining a residence permit. We provide personalized assistance at each step, adeptly handling the application process. Our comprehensive services are designed to make your transition to Italy smooth and stress-free, ensuring that all legal and bureaucratic requirements are met with efficiency and care.

Advantages of Residence Permit in Italy

Quality of Life

Italy often ranks high in terms of quality of life indices, reflecting factors such as healthcare quality, cultural availability, and general lifestyle.

Healthcare Access

Italy's healthcare system is ranked among the top in the world. As a resident, you gain access to public healthcare, which is funded by a national health service known as Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN).

Freedom of Movement in the Schengen Area

A residence permit in Italy allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Area, which comprises 26 European countries. This eliminates the need for additional visas for travel within these countries.

Pathway to Citizenship

After legally residing in Italy for 10 years, you can apply for citizenship. This grants additional rights, including the right to vote.

Family Reunification

Italy allows for family reunification under its residence permit program. The process typically takes between 2 to 6 months, depending on various factors.

Business Environment

Italy ranks as the world's 8th largest economy and the 3rd largest in the Eurozone. It offers a strategic location for business, with access to key European markets.

Available Programs

About Italy

Italy, celebrated for its unparalleled cultural legacy, stunning landscapes, and enviable lifestyle, is a prime destination for those dreaming of a life in Europe. The nation boasts an impressive history, world-renowned cuisine, and a diverse climate, from the Alpine coolness in the north to the Mediterranean warmth in the south.

An Overview of Italy

Italy's diverse regions offer a spectrum of experiences. Its economy, the 8th largest globally, features a prominent industrial sector in the north and a predominantly agricultural focus in the south. Italy is also a global leader in fashion, luxury goods, and automotive industries, contributing significantly to its €1.85 trillion GDP.

Living in Italy

Living in Italy as a financially independent person entails enjoying historical richness, culinary excellence, and an acclaimed healthcare system ranked 2nd worldwide by the World Health Organization. The Italian lifestyle combines leisure and elegance, making it especially appealing to retirees, remote workers, and affluent expatriates.

Engaging in Business Activities in Italy

Italy offers a dynamic business environment, ideal for entrepreneurs and investors. It's strategically positioned as a trade link between the EU and Mediterranean countries, offering access to a market of over 500 million consumers. The country also provides various incentives for foreign investors, including tax credits for R&D and innovative startups.

Political Environment in Italy

Italy is a parliamentary republic with a complex political landscape, which can impact economic and social policies affecting residents. Its membership in the EU and the Eurozone plays a crucial role in shaping its legislative environment, especially in areas of immigration, business regulations, and taxation.

Legal Framework in Italy

Italy's legal system, rooted in Roman law, provides a comprehensive framework for residency and citizenship. Requirements for financially independent residents include proof of annual income exceeding €30,000, comprehensive health insurance, and verified accommodation. Navigating this legal landscape often requires professional guidance to ensure compliance with all regulations.

Italy Advantages

Residing in Italy offers numerous benefits:

Access to a high standard of living, with average monthly living costs ranging from €1,000 to €1,500, depending on the region.
A vibrant cultural scene with countless historical sites and UNESCO World Heritage locations.
A favorable climate with a diverse range of environments, from coastal areas to mountainous regions.
Potential tax benefits, such as the new flat tax regime for retirees moving to southern Italy, capping taxes at €100,000 annually on foreign income.

About the Residence Permit in Italy for Financially Independent Individuals

Italy, an alluring destination with its rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes, offers a special residence permit for financially independent individuals. This permit caters to those who wish to enjoy the Italian lifestyle without engaging in local employment, such as retirees, remote workers, or individuals with passive income.

Requirements for Residence Permit Applicants

To be eligible, applicants must prove:

Be over 18 years of age.
Proof of Stable Income: A net income of at least €31,160 annually from pensions, investments, or other sources.
Health Insurance: Comprehensive coverage with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid across Italy.
Accommodation: Proof of owned or rented property in Italy.

Additional eligibility for family members includes:

Spouse.
Children under 18.
Children over 18 who are financially reliant on the applicant.
Parents with no age limit who are financially dependent on the main applicant.

Applicant's Expenses

The cost of securing a residence permit in Italy varies based on family size, affecting several expenses, including health insurance and administrative fees.

Housing Rental: Italy does not set a specific price threshold for housing. However, for residency purposes, applicants need to secure a lease with a minimum duration of one year.
Passive Income Requirement: Each applicant must demonstrate an annual passive income of at least €31,160.
Health Insurance: The cost is estimated to be over €1,200 annually per applicant. This insurance should provide comprehensive coverage throughout Italy.
Consular Fee: A fee of €116 is charged for each applicant during the application process.
Residence Permit Card Issuance Fee: There is a fee of €130 per applicant for the issuance of the residence permit card.

Timeframe for Processing

For financially independent individuals seeking to obtain a residence permit in Italy, it's important to be aware of the processing time involved. Typically, the process takes upwards of 3 months. This duration allows the Italian authorities to thoroughly review and process the application, ensuring all criteria are met and documentation is in order.

This timeframe starts from the date the complete application is submitted and includes various stages such as initial review, verification of financial independence, assessment of health insurance coverage, and confirmation of suitable accommodation in Italy. Applicants are advised to plan their relocation and affairs accordingly, considering this 3-month processing period as a critical time frame for the transition to Italian residency.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining an Italy Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons

Preliminary Due Diligence Check: To enhance the probability of residency approval, we perform a thorough initial Due Diligence assessment for each applicant. Our certified Compliance Anti-Money Laundering Officer rigorously reviews applicant details using international databases and media sources. This process is strictly confidential and only accessible to our legal team. Should we identify any potential refusal risks, we'll recommend strategies like additional documentation or alternative residency routes. This preliminary check significantly raises the likelihood of successful residence permit acquisition to 99%.
Document Compilation: Our legal team prepares a personalized document checklist for each applicant, typically including an international passport, bank statements, and a personalized motivation letter for relocating to Italy. We assist in drafting this letter and in the translation and notarization of the required documents.
Securing Housing in Italy: For financially independent individuals, securing housing in Italy is a prerequisite for obtaining a residence permit. This can be in the form of renting or purchasing a house, apartment, or villa. Our real estate specialists provide assistance in selecting and registering appropriate property.
D Visa Application Process: Once documentation is prepared, our lawyers schedule an appointment at the Italian Consulate in the applicant's home country or country of legal residence. The applicant then applies for a national D visa at the consulate – a necessary step for entering Italy to submit biometrics and apply for the residence permit.
Acquisition of D Visa: Visa processing typically takes up to 30 days. Upon approval, the visa is affixed to the applicant’s passport, enabling travel to Italy.
Quota Allocation and Approval Process: The relevant Italian authorities allocate quotas and inform applicants. The document processing phase usually ranges from 4 to 8 weeks. If needed, additional documentation may be requested. After approval, a confirmation is sent to the Italian consulate in the applicant's country.
Receiving the D Visa: The applicant collects the D visa from the consulate. Key documents at this stage include financial statements, copies of the passport, health insurance policies, and the lease agreement. With the visa, the applicant must enter Italy within three months to secure the residence permit card.
Biometric Submission and Residence Permit Application in Italy: Upon arrival in Italy, D visa holders are required to submit biometrics and apply for a residence permit at a local police station (Questura) within 8 days.
Residence Permit Card Issuance: The official processing time for issuing a residence permit card is 3 to 4 months. However, it's often completed earlier, typically within 3 weeks of application submission. The card is initially valid for 1 year and can be renewed for subsequent years.

Dual Citizenship in Italy

For those considering long-term plans in Italy, exploring the option of dual citizenship can be beneficial. Italy allows dual citizenship, which can provide additional benefits such as the right to work in Italy, access to healthcare and education, and the ability to travel freely within the EU.

About the Residence Permit by Investment in Italy

Affluent individuals can obtain an Italian residence permit through significant investment in a local business. The minimum required investment is €500,000. Following visa approval and entry into Italy, the investor is required to transfer the funds within a three-month period. It is imperative that the investment is maintained for the duration of the residence permit's validity.

Investors are exempt from language proficiency tests in Italian, as well as examinations in Italian history and culture. Additionally, maintaining a physical presence in Italy is not a mandatory requirement for retaining the residence permit. However, for those aiming to acquire Italian citizenship in the future, residing in Italy becomes a necessary criterion.

It should be noted that this investment route is part of Italy’s Investor Golden Visa program, designed to attract foreign capital. Applicants are required to undergo a thorough vetting process, including due diligence checks, to ensure the legitimacy of the investment and the investor’s background.

Requirements for Residence Permit Applicants

To qualify, applicants must demonstrate the following:

Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old.
Legal Income: Proof of a stable and legal source of income.
Criminal Record: Absence of any criminal records.
Health Insurance: Possession of valid health insurance that meets Italy's requirements.

For family members to be eligible, the following conditions apply:

Spouse: Legally married partner.
Children Under 18: Dependent children below the age of 18.
Children Over 18: Dependent children above the age of 18 who rely financially on the applicant.
Parents: Parents of any age who are financially dependent on the main applicant.

Applicant's Expenses

Acquiring a stake or shares in an Italian limited liability company (S.R.L. or S.p.A.) is one potential route for visa application. The target business should be operational and must have at least one published financial statement at the time of the visa application.

Investment in a Local Business: A minimum investment of €500,000 is required in an active Italian company.
Consular Fee: During the visa application process, each applicant is required to pay a consular fee of €116.
Residence Permit Card Issuance Fee: The issuance of each residence permit card entails a fee of €112.

Timeframe for Processing

Individuals applying for a Golden Visa in Italy should note that the application process generally extends beyond 3 months. This period is essential for Italian authorities to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and processing of the application, verifying that all requirements are fulfilled and all necessary documentation is accurately provided.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining an Italy Residence Permit by Investment

Preliminary Due Diligence Process: Our company possesses a dedicated compliance department. Investor documents undergo meticulous scrutiny by certified experts in our Compliance Anti Money Laundering Office. These specialists are well-versed in the intricacies of Due Diligence across various countries. This examination aims to identify potential issues that might hinder the application process, effectively minimizing the risk of refusal. Our thorough check elevates the probability of successful document acquisition to 99%. This process, taking just one day, requires only a passport copy from the investor. The results remain confidential, utilized solely by our legal team to prepare the necessary investor documentation for program participation. This check is a compulsory step in our process; we do not proceed to contract signing without it. If any risks are identified, we propose solutions such as selecting an alternative program or supplementing the application with additional documents.
Document Collection and Nulla Osta Application: Nulla Osta is a crucial certificate indicating no impediments to obtaining an investor visa. It authorizes the investor to apply for a visa within a six-month window. The investor is required to compile necessary documents, which our lawyers will then translate and authenticate. Our team sets up an account for the investor on the program's website, fills out a detailed questionnaire, and uploads required documents, including:
- Passport copy;
- Professional experience certificate;
- Investment proof documents;
- Written commitment to invest in the Italian economy post-visa approval.
Issuance of Nulla Osta: The program committee reviews the investor's application within 30 days. They may request supplementary documents or arrange a video interview. Once a decision is made, the investor receives a notification in their program website account.
Visa Application Submission: The investor prepares a new set of documents, which our lawyers translate and certify. The investor must apply for the visa at an Italian consulate within the six-month validity of the Nulla Osta, providing:
- Nulla Osta certificate;
- Passport copy;
- Residential property contract in Italy (purchase or lease);
- Proof of income exceeding healthcare costs (minimum €8,500);
- A recent photograph.
Our legal team assists the investor throughout the visa application process.
Investor Visa Acquisition: The consulate reviews the investor's and their family's documents. The maximum review period is 120 days, but typically visas are approved within 10-20 days. The outcome is communicated via email.
Traveling to Italy to submit an application for a residence permit: The investor visa holds a validity of two years, within which the investor is required to travel to Italy and initiate the residence permit application process. Upon arrival in Italy, the investor must:
- Directly submit the necessary documents for a residence permit at the local Migration Service, known as the Questura, within a span of eight days.
- Complete the investment transfer or proceed with a charitable contribution, based on the chosen pathway, within a period of three months.
The investor is required to furnish the Questura with a passport copy, two recent photographs, and a revenue stamp. Following the completion of the monetary transaction, the investor must then upload documentation to the Program Committee's website, verifying the completion of the investment criteria, such as providing a certificate of securities deposit.
Acquiring a residence permit card: Italy's Migration Service conducts a thorough review of the documentation submitted by the investor and their family. Should there be any further inquiries or need for additional information, the investor is allotted a 30-day window to submit the requisite documents. Following the successful approval of their application, the investor is then issued residence permit cards.

Dual Citizenship in Italy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Italy Residence Permit?

An Italy Residence Permit, or 'Permesso di Soggiorno', is a legal document required for non-EU citizens to live in Italy. This permit allows you to reside, work (depending on the type), and access public services in Italy. It's essential for long-term stays and is different from a visa, which is typically used for short-term visits.