Italy Golden Visa: A complete guide for UK residents

If you’re a UK resident considering long-term residency in Europe, Italy’s Golden Visa - also known as the Italy Investor Visa or Italy Residence by Investment - could be the opportunity you’re looking for.

In short, it allows non-EU nationals, including British citizens, to obtain a residence permit in Italy after making a significant investment, without necessarily moving there full time.

This guide covers what the Italy Golden Visa is in more detail, who is eligible for it, the different investment options and how to apply. Plus, we’ll look at the risks and benefits that should be weighed up if you’re considering this route.

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What is the Italy Golden Visa program?

The Italy Golden Visa is designed to offer non-EU nationals legal residence in Italy in return for a qualifying financial investment.¹

It is not a fast track to citizenship, but it does provide:¹

• A long-term residence permit, initially for two years
• The ability to renew the permit as long as the investment is maintained
• The option to work, study and live in Italy as well as travel freely in the Schengen Area
• A pathway to permanent residence (after five years of legal residence) and potential citizenship after 10 years.

What’s more, unlike some other Golden Visa programs, Italy’s is based on financial investment in specific qualifying assets - not property.

📚 Read more: Italy digital nomad visa: Complete guide

Italy Golden Visa benefits

There are many reasons why UK investors may want to apply for the Italy Golden Visa.

Economic mobility and Schengen access

With an Italy Golden Visa, you gain visa-free travel across the Schengen Area,¹ allowing for easier movement for business, tourism and personal travel.

Quality of life

Italy offers a high standard of living with a globally praised education system, excellent healthcare and rich cultural heritage. Its food and social stability are also often mentioned as reasons to move there.

Residency without strict stay requirements

You don’t need to move to Italy permanently to maintain your permit. Instead, rules state that the investment must be maintained to renew the visa.²

Family inclusion

The Italy Golden Visa covers the main applicant as well as immediate dependents. This refers to a spouse, children and sometimes dependent parents.²

Path to citizenship

After five years, you may be eligible for permanent residency. After 10 years, you can apply for citizenship as long as you maintain residency and meet other legal requirements.¹

📚 Read more: Countries that offer citizenship by investment visa

Tax incentives

Italy offers a special flat-rate tax regime for high-net-worth individuals. This means they are able to pay a fixed annual tax on foreign income instead of the usual progressive rates.²

What are the risks of a Golden Visa?

While the advantages of an Italy Golden Visa are undeniable, there are also potential downsides to consider.

1. Investment risk. Depending on which option you choose, there is a risk to your capital and a return on investment is never guaranteed.

2. Long-term commitment. The visa rules require you to maintain the investment for the duration of your permit. Some investment options have time minimums while others are non-refundable.

3. Additional costs. Application fees, legal advice, tax planning, insurance and annual compliance all add up.

4. Tax liabilities. Becoming a tax resident in Italy means you’ll have local tax obligations, even if you do benefit from the flat-rate tax regime.

5. Citizenship uncertainty. While there is a path to citizenship, it’s not guaranteed. You need to meet certain criteria related to residence, language and integration.

6. Changing regulations. Immigration and tax laws can change. This could affect the cost-effectiveness and attractiveness of the scheme.

7. Liquidity. Some investments might not be as liquid as you’d like, making exit more difficult.

As with any significant investment, it can be beneficial to consult an independent tax and financial advisor before making a decision.

Eligibility for Italy Golden Visa: UK residents

To apply for the Italy Golden Visa, you must:³

• Be a non-EU or non-EEA national

• Have proof of funds - the money you intend to invest must be legally acquired, documented and available

• Make one of the required investments (more on that below)

• Submit the required documentation such as background checks, financial statements, proof of insurance and a business or transfer plan depending on the investment type

• Once in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit for investors.

Golden Visa Italy requirements

Here’s a detailed look at the core requirements:

1. Nulla Osta (clearance). Before you apply for the visa, you need Italian government approval.⁴ As a British national, you would typically apply at an Italian consulate in the UK.

2. Source of funds. You must provide evidence that your investment funds come from legitimate and documented sources.³

3. Investment route. Choose one of the permitted investment paths (see next section).

4. Insurance. You typically need to have private health insurance in Italy to support your residence permit application.³

5. Maintain the investment. You must keep your qualifying investment for the duration required. Some investments require this to be two years, others it must last for the whole residency period.

6. Family members. If you’re including dependents, you’ll need to submit additional documentation for them.²

7. Renewal. To renew your permit, you must meet the ongoing investment requirements.¹

Investment options for the Italy Golden Visa

Italy provides four main investment routes to qualify for the Golden Visa. Here is a summary of each:⁵

Route	Minimum investment	Key features
Italian government bonds	€2,000,000 EUR	Safe debt securities, must be held for at least 2 years
Equity in Italian Company	€500,000 EUR	Invest in a limited company (listed or unlisted)
Innovative start-up equity	€250,000 EUR	Must be in a recognised innovative start-up company
Philanthropic donation	€1,000,000 EUR	Non-refundable donation to public-interest projects

Government bonds

One option for the visa is to invest €2 million EUR into the Italian government. These bonds must be held for at least two years, and are among the lower-risk options - although liquidity and bond terms should be assessed.⁵

Equity in Italian companies

This route requires you to invest a minimum of €500,000 EUR in an existing Italian company. The company must be active and registered, and your equity investment must be held for a specific period of time. This option may offer a potential for return but also comes with higher risk.⁵

Innovative start-up equity

This is considered one of the most capital-efficient investments. You’re required to invest €250,000 EUR into an innovative start-up that meets certain criteria.⁵ Often, they are listed in a special registry. Because it’s equity, however, there is a potential for high gain but again higher risk.

Philanthropic donation

A minimum non-refundable donation of €1 million EUR must be made to a public-interest project under this option.⁵

These projects typically involve cultural heritage, scientific research, education or environmental restoration. This route combines financial capital with social impact but there is no financial return on your capital.

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How to apply and get an Italy Golden Visa: step-by-step process

Here is a typical application process for a UK resident looking to apply for Italy’s Golden Visa:⁶

Pre-application preparation

• Research and choose which investment route you want to use.

• Engage legal, tax and financial advisers in Italy as well as the UK to assist with documentation, due diligence and structuring.

• Prepare the required documentation for the source of funds.

Apply for Nulla Osta

• Submit your application to the Investor Visa Committee.

• Provide evidence that your funds are ready and legally available.

• Wait for the committee’s approval.

Visa application at the consulate

• Once you have the Nulla Osta, apply for a national visa (D-type) at the Italian consulate in the UK.

• Provide your cleared Nulla Osta, proof of investment funds, proof of health insurance and any other required supporting documentation.

• Attend your biometric appointment, visa interview (if required), and submit fees.

Travel to Italy and obtain your residence permit

• After your visa is approved, travel to Italy.

• Within eight working days of arriving, apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) via your local Questura (police headquarters).

• Complete your investment within three months of arriving.

• Upload proof of investment via the dedicated portal and provide evidence to authorities.

Residence permit issuance and renewal

• Initial permesso di soggiorno is typically valid for two years.

• Before expiry, apply to renew. The renewal period is often three years.

• Continue to maintain your qualifying investment throughout.

Italy Golden Visa timeline

Once you have engaged advisors and decided on your preferred investment route, you must submit a Nulla Osta application to the Visa Committee. This decision typically takes around 90-120 days.⁷ Once approved, you can apply for a visa and when issued, travel to Italy.

Within eight days of arrival, you are required to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno). Within three months of arrival, you must make the investment and upload proof to the portal.⁶

After two years, your first residence permit will expire, and you can then apply for it to be renewed. To achieve this, you need to maintain your investment.¹

Italy Golden Visa path to citizenship

After five years of legal residence, and assuming you have maintained your investment, you can apply for permanent residence. After 10 years, you can apply for naturalisation as an Italian citizen.¹ This is as long as you meet integration, language and other legal requirements.

Italy allows multiple citizenships. This means you don’t have to give up your British citizenship when acquiring Italian citizenship.

Renewing your Italy Golden Visa

Renewals are allowed as long as you continue the investment in your chosen route. You’ll need to provide updated documentation on the state of your investment and also pay associated renewal fees. Permit renewals are usually longer after the first two-year permit.¹

Golden Visa Italy costs and fees

Below is a summary of the major costs associated with applying for and maintaining the Italy Golden Visa:

Investment cost:⁵

• €2,000,000 EUR for government bonds

• €500,000 EUR for equity in an Italian company

• €250,000 EUR for investing in an innovative start-up

• €1,000,000 EUR philanthropic donation

Government and administrative fees:⁸

• Nulla Osta application fee: €500 EUR

• Residence permit (permesso) processing: €200 - €300 EUR per person

• Biometric data collection: €50 - €100 EUR

• Visa application (consular) fee for UK: £95 - £150 (varies).

Professional and advisory costs:⁸

• Legal services for application: €8,000 - €15,000 EUR (depending on complexity and number of family members)

• Due diligence, advisory and investment structuring: €3,000 - €12,000+ EUR depending on path

• Tax planning: initial assessment €2,000 - €5,000 EUR. Ongoing compliance €3,000 - €10,000+ EUR per year.

Ongoing and renewal costs:⁸

• Renewal permit fees every few years

• Management fees for investments (if applicable): for bonds 0.5 - 1% per year, for start-ups or equity 2 - 3% per year

• Health insurance costs

📚 Read more: The best UK banks for sending money abroad

Taxes for an Italy Golden Visa holder

As a Golden Visa holder, you have the opportunity to opt into a flat-rate tax regime. This allows you to pay a fixed lump-sum tax on all your foreign-sourced income. Currently, this is €200,000 EUR.⁹

Your dependents can also benefit. There is a surcharge of €25,000 EUR per person per year for each family member under the scheme.⁹ In Italy, there is no wealth tax, gift tax or inheritance tax on foreign assets under this special tax regime, offering even more tax benefits.⁹

If you opt for regular tax residency instead, you’ll be taxed under normal progressive Italian income tax rates and are subject to local tax obligations.

FAQ on Italy Golden Visa

How long can I stay in Italy if I own a property?

Unlike the Cyprus Golden Visa scheme, New Zealand Golden Visa scheme and Greece Golden Visa scheme, property investment in Italy is not a qualifying route for the Italy Golden Visa scheme.

Does Italy allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Italy allows dual (or multiple) citizenship. This means you don’t have to give up your British citizenship when you become an Italian citizen.

Is Italy a good place to live as a British expat?

While this will depend on several personal factors, many find Italy very attractive for its lifestyle, climate, culture, food and high quality of life. However, the cost of living, bureaucracy and tax resident implications should be considered.

Is the Italy Golden Visa a good investment?

Again, this will depend on several personal factors and goals. However, it can be - especially when it comes to the potential path to citizenship, Schengen access and tax planning options. Costs, commitment and risks of capital loss all need to be considered though.

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Sources used:

1. Get Golden Visa - Italy Golden Visa Requirements
2. Lexidy - Italian Golden Visa Guide
3. Global Residence Index - Italy Golden Visa Guide
4. Immigrant Invest - Italy Golden Visa Step-by-Step
5. Lexidy - Golden Visa Investment Options
6. Citizen Remote - Italy Golden Visa Complete Guide
7. Henley Global - Residence by Investment
8. FRR Immigration - A Complete Guide to Italy Golden Visa: Costs
9. La Vida Golden Visas - Italy Flat-Tax Regime

Sources last checked on date: 24-Nov-2025