Italy Golden Visa

Harvey Law Group presents an efficient and accessible European Residency by Investment Program: your ticket to La Dolce Vita

Weekends in the Tuscan hills, on the Venetian canals, or visiting Roman ruins can now become a reality for non-EU nationals, thanks to the Italy Golden Visa. Beyond the art, cuisine and lifestyle, Italy is also one of Europe’s most dynamic economies and its residency-by-investment program offers an accessible and family-friendly option for investors looking to establish European roots.

The Italy Golden Visa provides non-EU nationals and their families with the right to live, work and study in Italy; it offers a pathway to permanent residency (after five years) and eventually citizenship (after 10 years). The main applicant (investor) can include as dependents his/ her spouse and minor children: adult children and parents can be included, if justified by health conditions.

This program stands out for its efficiency: the applicant is required to make the investment only after approval of the investor visa, and the entire process can be completed within three to six months. There is no requirement for business experience, language, or even physical presence, making it a viable choice for a wide range of investors.

The minimum investment is EUR 250,0 0 0 if in innovative local startups, EUR500,000 if in a local limited company, EUR1,000,000 if in the form of a donation supporting a public interest project, and EUR2,000,000 if in government bonds. The most popular option is the EUR500,000 investment – the investment can be made in shares in unlisted or even listed local limited companies.

The process starts with an application for a Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment), usually granted within 30 days. Once granted, the applicant has up to six months to apply for the investor visa at an Italian embassy or consulate. Having entered Italy, the investor must apply for an investor residency permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within eight days, and complete the qualifying investment within three months. It is important to note that if the holder of the Italy Golden Visa has not entered Italy and these steps are not completed within two years of visa issuance, the entire process will be considered void.

Once approved, investors receive an initial two-year residency permit, which is renewable for a three-year period thereafter.

Although there is no physical residency requirement, those who do reside in Italy for over 183 days a year may benefit from one of Italy’s advantageous tax regimes, such as the EUR200,000 annual flat tax regime, the Southern/ Central Italy 7% tax rate on foreign income, or the impatriati tax regime which applies ordinary tax after a tax rebate of around 50% to 60% on taxable income.

Whether you are drawn to Italy’s rich history and culture, or seeking a base for global mobility and investment, the Italy Golden Visa offers a flexible, efficient and accessible route into one of Europe’s most iconic countries. If you would like to know more, you may contact Harvey Law Group for advice. We have over 32 years of experience in investment residency and citizenship programs all over the world.

5-DAY ITINERARY: ROME, CAPRI & FLORENCE

While you could spend months soaking up Italy's charm, this five-day tour captures the essence: ancient glory, coastal splendour and Renaissance beauty

Day 1 ⇢ Rome

• If this is your first visit to Rome, s tart at the ancient city: take a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill – you’ll find it’s totally worth the history overload

• Walk in the footsteps of emperors at the Colosseum, and explore the underground complex, where gladiators prepared themselves for battle

• Relax in the afternoon at Piazza Navona, Rome’s largest square. Lively with painters, fortune tellers and street performers, it’s best known for its jaw-dropping Baroque fountains: Fountain of the Four Rivers, Fountain of the Moor and Fountain of Neptune

Day 2 ⇢ Rome

• Be amazed by the size and magnificence of St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica (the largest church in the world), and the Vatican Museum. The Renaissance wow-factor carries through to Michelangelo’s glorious Sistine Chapel, and its world-famous frescoes

• Soak up the cinematic atmosphere at the elegant butterfly-shaped Spanish Steps – they’ve starred in numerous films over the years including Roman Holiday (1953) and The Talented Mr Ripley (1999)

• End your day at the Trevi Fountain: throw a coin into the water and, legend has it, you’ll be sure to return to Rome

Day 3 ⇢ Capri day trip

• Take the train to Naples (around 2.5 hours), then a 50-minute ferry to Capri. Catch an around-the-island boat ride to see iconic rock formations (the Faraglioni sea stacks), kaleidoscopic grottoes and grand coastline villas

• Ride the funicular up to the main town for a late lunch and more amazing Mediterranean views. Stroll the picturesque botanical gardens, then jump the last ferry back to Naples (around 7pm)

Day 4 ⇢ Florence

• Catch a high-speed train from Naples to Florence (about 1.5 hours), drop your bags and head out into a living Renaissance painting. Visit palazzos, piazzas and the picture-perfect cathedral - Duomo di Firenze

• Wander flea markets, shop for leather goods and cross the river Arno at Ponte Vecchio for iconic Florentine views

Day 5 ⇢ Florence

• Visit Galleria Degli Uffizi to see Medici-owned masterpieces, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and Galleria dell’Accademia to view David, Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture

• Take a taxi to the hillside town of Fiesole to feast on signature Florentine views... and meat- and-truffle dishes