What is the Italy Retirement Visa (Elective Residence Visa)?

The Italy Retirement Visa, officially known as the Elective Residence Visa, allows non-EU/EEA citizens to live in Italy permanently without working, provided they can demonstrate stable passive income from sources such as pensions, annuities, investment income, or property income. No investment in Italy is required. The visa grants a 1 to 2-year renewable residence permit, Schengen Area travel access, and a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years and Italian citizenship after 10 years. Processing takes approximately 2 to 4 months.

How much income do I need for the Italy Retirement Visa?

The official minimum annual income requirement is EUR €31,000 for the main applicant, plus 20% extra for a spouse and 5% extra for each dependent child. However, in practice a higher income is often expected — EUR €100,000 per year is commonly recommended, though there may be some flexibility on a case-by-case basis depending on where the applicant intends to reside in Italy. Eligible income sources include pensions, annuities, income from properties, investment funds, and ownership of stable economic activities. Employment income (subordinated work) does not qualify.

What types of income qualify for the Italy Retirement Visa?

Qualifying income must be stable, steady, and have guaranteed continuity in the future. Acceptable sources include: state or private pensions, annuities, rental income from properties, income from investment funds, dividends, and income from ownership of stable economic activities. Employment income (i.e. income from working as an employee) does not qualify. The applicant must demonstrate that their income will continue reliably into the future and is not dependent on active work.

Can I work in Italy on the Elective Residence Visa?

No. The Italy Elective Residence Visa specifically prohibits the holder from working in Italy. It is designed for retirees and individuals who can support themselves entirely from passive income sources without needing employment. Working in Italy on this visa would jeopardise the permit. Applicants who wish to work in Italy should consider other visa categories such as the Italy Golden Visa (Investor Visa for Italy).

Do I need to live in Italy full time on the Elective Residence Visa?

Yes. The Italy Elective Residence Visa requires genuine intent to reside in Italy permanently. Spending fewer than 183 days per year in Italy could jeopardise the visa, as it may indicate that Italy is not the applicant's primary place of residence. This is a more demanding commitment than many other European residency programs and should be carefully considered. Applicants must also register their address at the local municipality office upon arrival.

Who can be included as dependents on the Italy Retirement Visa?

Eligible dependents include: a spouse or civil partner, dependent children (children aged 18 or over must demonstrate dependency due to a health condition), and dependent parents of the main applicant — but only if they have serious health reasons requiring care and no other relatives in their home country are available to support them. Each additional dependent increases the minimum income requirement (20% extra for a spouse, 5% extra per dependent child). Dependency must continue to be demonstrated at each renewal.

How long is the Italy Retirement Visa residence permit valid?

The Italy Elective Residence Visa grants an initial residence permit valid for 1 to 2 years. It is renewable for 2-year periods, provided the applicant continues to meet the stable income requirements and maintains genuine residence in Italy. After 5 years of legal and continuous residence, applicants may apply for permanent residency. Italian citizenship becomes available after 10 years of residence, subject to passing a B1-level Italian language test — a process that can take up to 3 years.

Are there language or investment requirements for the Italy Retirement Visa?

No. There are no language, education, or work experience requirements for the initial Italy Elective Residence Visa application, and no investment in Italy is required. Language proficiency (B1 level Italian) is only required if and when the applicant later chooses to apply for Italian citizenship after 10 years of residence.

How long does the Italy Retirement Visa application process take?

The Italy Elective Residence Visa process takes approximately 2 to 4 months. The process involves collecting and preparing the required documents, scheduling and attending an in-person appointment at the local Italian Consulate in the applicant's country of residence, submitting the application with all required documents, and upon approval, entering Italy and applying for the residence permit within 8 days of arrival. The applicant must then attend a biometrics appointment and register their address at the local municipality.

What documents are required for the Italy Retirement Visa?

Required documents include: a valid passport with at least 6 months of remaining validity at the time of submission, proof of stable and steady economic resources with demonstrated future continuity, apostilled or legalised clean criminal records from all countries where the applicant has resided for more than 12 consecutive months in the last 10 years (from age 18), a lease agreement or property deed duly registered with the Italian Taxation Office, a travel ticket, and private health insurance covering the Schengen Area.

How does the Italy Retirement Visa differ from the Italy Golden Visa?

The two visas serve very different profiles. The Italy Elective Residence Visa is for retirees and individuals with substantial passive income who wish to live in Italy without working — no capital investment is required, but the applicant must have at least €31,000 per year in passive income (with €100,000 commonly recommended in practice) and must reside in Italy for more than 183 days per year. The Italy Golden Visa (Investor Visa) is for investors who make a qualifying capital investment of €250,000 to €2,000,000 in Italy, has no physical residency requirement, and permits the holder to maintain international professional activities. Harvey Law Group can advise on which program best fits each client's lifestyle and financial circumstances.

Italy Retirement Visa (Elective Residence Visa)

The Italy Retirement Visa, officially called the Elective Residence Visa, allows non-EU citizens to live in Italy without working, provided they have stable passive income (e.g., pensions or investments). The minimum required income is €31,160 per year, plus more for dependents. No investment or language test is needed. It offers Schengen access, healthcare, and a path to permanent residency (after 5 years) and citizenship (after 10), approval takes 2–4 months.

Italy Retirement Visa (Elective Residence Visa) Benefits

Residency and Family Inclusion

The Italy Retirement Visa (Elective Residence Visa) allows the main applicant to include eligible family members as dependents:
Dependents include:
(1) Spouse (marriage or civil partnership certificates)
(2) Dependent children (if 18 yo or more then need to show they are dependent due to health conditions)
(3) Dependent parents of main applicant (due to serious health reasons and no other relatives in their country can support them)
Right to live and study in Italy – No right to work
1 to 2 years residence permit, renewable for 2 years periods as long as requirements of stable income and resources are maintained. For dependents, dependency required on renewals
Subject to conditions, pathway to obtaining permanent residency (after 5 years of legal and continuous residence) and Citizenship (after 10 years, and language B1 level test .Process may take up to 3 years)

Travel and Quality of Life

Member of the Schengen Area and the EU
Access to Italy healthcare and education
Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area

Ease of Access

No language, education or work experience requirements

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Italy Retirement Visa Requirements

Be over 18 years of age and a Non-EU/EEA Citizen.
Intent to reside in Italy permanently (i.e. staying less than 183 days per year could jeopardize the visa)
Passport with remaining validity of at least 6 months at the time of submission
Proof of stable and steady economic resources with guaranteed continuity in the future, for instance pensions, annuities, incomes from properties or investment funds, ownership of steady economic activities – subordinated work not included.
Apostilled/legalized clean criminal records issued by countries where has resided for more than 12 consecutive months during the last 10 years (starting from the age of 18).
Lease or deed for property duly registered with Italian Taxation Office
Travel ticket
Private health insurance covering Schengen

Italy Retirement Visa Conditions

Suitable for persons able to demonstrate a stable and adequate pension income and/or financial resources, for example retired people and persons wishing to reside permanently in Italy without working.
Money must come from stable and steady economic resources with guaranteed continuity in the future, for instance pensions, annuities, incomes from properties or investment funds, ownership of steady economic activities – subordinated work not included.
at least EUR 31,000 annual income required (+20% extra for spouse, +5% extra for each dependent child). In practice, a higher amount may be required – EUR 100,000 annual income is often recommended (but there could be some flexibility on a case by case basis – notably depending where the clients intend to reside).

Italy Retirement Visa (Elective Residence Visa) Process

Processing time 2 to 4 Months

Due Diligence And Application

Due diligence and documents collection
Schedule an appointment at the local Italian consulate
Submit application
Attend consulate appointment in person and present necessary documents

Approval And Investment

no investment is required

Residency

Enter Italy and apply for residence permit within 8 days of entry
Attend appointment and submit biometrics
Register address at the local municipality office
Permit valid for 1 to 2 years – renewable

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