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Italy Retirement Visa

Reviewed by Laure Cochet, Senior Associate (England & Wales)·

Minimum investmentEUR 31,000/year income
Processing time2-4 Months

Italy Retirement Visa overview

The Italy Retirement Visa (Elective Residence Visa), is a residency program that allows non-EU nationals with stable passive income to obtain a residence permit to live in Italy without engaging in any work or business activities. The program requires a minimum passive income of the equivalent of EUR 31,160 per year and per applicant, with an additional 20% for a dependent spouse and 5% for each dependent child, though EUR 100,000 per year is often recommended. Acceptable income sources include pensions, annuities, rental income, investment fund returns, and ownership of steady economic activities.

The residence permit is initially valid for 1 to 2 years and renewable, with a pathway to permanent residence after 5 years and Italian citizenship after 10 years of continuous legal residence, subject to a B1 language test. Holders gain visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180-day period

Italy Retirement Visa benefits

  1. Dependents included: spouse (marriage or civil partnership certificate required), dependent children (children 18 years or older must demonstrate dependency due to health conditions), and dependent parents of the main applicant (for serious health reasons, with no other relatives in their country able to support them)
  2. Italy is a member of the Schengen Area and the European Union
  3. Right to live and study in Italy (no right to work)
  4. Access to Italy's healthcare and education systems
  5. Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180-day rolling period
  6. No language, education, or work experience requirements
  7. Residence permit valid for 1 to 2 years, renewable in 2-year periods as long as stable income and resource requirements are maintained. Dependents must continue to demonstrate dependency at renewal
  8. Pathway to permanent residency after 5 years of legal and continuous residence and A2 Italian language, and to Italian citizenship after 10 years with a B1 language level test (citizenship process may take up to 3 years)
  9. No investment requirement

Italy Retirement Visa requirements

  1. Be over 18 years of age and a non-EU/EEA citizen
  2. Intent to reside in Italy permanently. Staying less than 183 days per year could jeopardise the visa
  3. Passport with remaining validity of at least 6 months at the time of submission
  4. Proof of stable and steady economic resources with guaranteed continuity in the future, such as pensions, annuities, income from properties or investment funds, or ownership of steady economic activities. Subordinated employment income is not accepted
  5. Apostilled or legalised clean criminal records from all countries where the applicant has resided for more than 12 consecutive months during the last 10 years, starting from the age of 18
  6. Lease or deed for property in Italy duly registered with the Italian Taxation Office
  7. Travel ticket
  8. Private health insurance covering the Schengen area
  9. Suitable accommodation in Italy
  10. No intention to work in Italy

Italy Retirement Visa investment options

  1. No investment requirement
  2. Suitable for persons able to demonstrate stable and adequate pension income or financial resources, such as retired individuals or persons wishing to reside permanently in Italy without working
  3. Funds must come from stable and steady economic resources with guaranteed continuity in the future, for example pensions, annuities, income from properties or investment funds, or ownership of steady economic activities. Subordinated employment income is not accepted
  4. Minimum annual income: EUR 31,160 for the main applicant, with an additional 20% for a dependent spouse and an additional 5% for each dependent child
  5. In practice, a higher income may be required. EUR 100,000 annual income is often recommended, with some flexibility on a case-by-case basis depending on where the applicant intends to reside

Italy Retirement Visa application process

Process (2 to 4 months)

  1. Due diligence and documents collection
  2. Schedule an appointment at your local Italian consulate
  3. Submit application
  4. Attend Consulate appointment in person and present necessary documents
  5. Apply for dependents visas at the consulate of residence at the same time as main applicant
  6. Obtain visa(s)
  7. Enter Italy and submit application for Residence Permit within 8 days of entry at the local Post-Office
  8. Attend Biometrics appointment at the Questura (estimated 2 or 3 months after the submission of the application for Residence Permit)
  9. Collect the Residence Permits/cards (estimated 1 month after submission of the biometrics)
  10. Permit valid for 1 to 2 years - Renewable

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Italy Elective Residence Visa?

To qualify, the applicant must be 18 years of age or over, have adequate stable passive income not derived from employment to support themselves and their family, have suitable accommodation in Italy, intend to reside in Italy permanently, hold private healthcare insurance coverage, and have no intention to work in Italy.

What is the minimum passive income for the Italy Elective Residence Visa?

The minimum stable passive income required is EUR 31,160 per year for the main applicant, with an additional 20% for a dependent spouse and an additional 5% for each dependent child. Acceptable sources include pensions, annuities, income from properties or investment funds, and ownership of steady economic activities. Subordinated employment income is not accepted. In practice, a higher passive income may be required, with EUR 100,000 annual income often recommended depending on the location where the applicant intends to reside.

Who can be included as dependents in the Italy Elective Residence Visa application?

The main applicant's spouse, minor children, adult children dependent due to health conditions, and parents of the main applicant who are dependent due to health conditions and have no other relatives in their country able to support them can be included as dependents.

What are the benefits of the Italy Elective Residence Visa?

The visa provides the right to live and study in Italy (no right to work), access to Italy's healthcare and education systems, and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for 90 days in any 180-day rolling period. There is no investment or language requirement to qualify.

What is the processing time for the Italy Elective Residence Visa?

The average processing time is approximately 2 to 4 months. If the consulate requests additional documentation, the processing time may be longer.

Is travel or residence in Italy required during the Italy Elective Residence Visa application process?

There is no requirement to reside in Italy during the application process. However, applicants must travel to Italy once the application is approved to secure the residence permit. Applicants must also confirm intent to reside in Italy permanently, as staying less than 183 days per year could jeopardise the visa.

What is the general application process for the Italy Elective Residence Visa?

Applicants residing outside Italy must submit the application in person at the local Italian consulate. Once approved, a visa is issued allowing the applicant to enter Italy and apply for the Italy Residence Permit within 8 days of arrival.

Can Italy Elective Residence Visa holders apply for permanent residence and citizenship?

Yes. The program provides a pathway to permanent residence after 5 years of legal and continuous residence with A2 Italian language, and to Italian citizenship after 10 years of continuous legal residence, subject to a B1-level Italian language test. The citizenship process may take up to 3 years.

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