“Italy’s Golden Visa: The Wealthy’s Gateway to Europe”

Italy’s Golden Visa is one of the preferred options for wealthy foreigners looking to establish residency in Europe. Launched in 2017, the program offers several investment options, especially for those looking to relocate with their families

“Golden visa” has been chosen as the word of the year. With growing interest in residency by investment, Firstpost and Moneycontrol present a series on popular golden visas.

Italy stands out with its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. This makes it a top choice for wealthy foreigners looking for residency through investment.

Italy’s Golden Visa has secured the third position in Henley & Partners’ 2025 Global Residence Program Index. Also referred to as the “Investor Visa for Italy,” this program was launched in 2017 to attract foreign investment.

To refresh your memory, a Golden Visa is a program where a country offers temporary or permanent residency to individuals in exchange for investing in real estate, businesses, or paying high taxes.

How can you get the Italian golden visa?

The Italian Golden Visa is a ticket for wealthy non-European Union (EU) citizens to secure the right to live, work, and study in the Mediterranean country.

Ultra-wealthy foreign individuals can obtain a residence visa through various investment options. They can invest at least €2 million (₹185 crore) in government bonds, €500,000 (around ₹50 crore) in Italian stocks, or €250,000 (₹23 crore) in an innovative startup.

Henley & Partners Switzerland AG’s Managing Partner, Jacopo Zamboni, told Firstpost in an email that investing in Italian-listed companies is the most popular option for Golden Visa seekers due to their risk/return profile and liquidity.

Individuals also have the option to donate €1 million (₹9.24 crore) for philanthropic efforts. According to Gaurav Nalawade, Country Head of RIF Trust in India, wealthy individuals can donate to projects in Italy related to research, cultural heritage, environmental protection, or immigration assistance. He told Firstpost, “This option is suitable for those interested in contributing to Italy’s social and cultural development.”

After identifying an investment option suitable for their interests, high-net-worth individuals must obtain pre-approval from the Italian authorities.

“Once approval is granted, a long-term Schengen visa is issued, and the applicant must travel to Italy to complete the registration process. Printing the permit may take a few weeks, and the applicant will need to travel to Italy again to collect it, as it cannot be handed over to anyone else,” Zamboni said.

The Italian Golden Visa process takes between three to eight months. The Italian government also allows the applicant’s family, including a spouse, children, and dependent parents, to apply for the visa.

According to Zamboni, the first permit for an investor visa is issued only to the principal applicant. “Dependent family members can be added, but only at a later stage. In terms of speed, this does not make a significant difference, as the overall process will ultimately be on par with other investor visas. However, it does mean additional trips for the family,” he said.

The visa commercial fee varies based on the size of the family. Additionally, the applicant must also pay for the residence fee as well as constitutional and legal charges.

The rental amount will vary depending on the city the visa holder wishes to travel to.

Wealthy individuals who wish to reside in Italy without relying on employment can apply for an alternative residence permit, which allows them to move to the European nation with their family members. However, they must provide proof that they are financially capable of supporting themselves and their family, Zamboni stated in an email.

The validity of the Italian Investor Visa is two years. Once granted the visa, you are allowed to enter Italy and must apply for a residence permit. Italy’s Golden Residence Permit is also valid for two years and can later be extended for an additional three years. The only condition is that the investment must be maintained during the validity of the visa.

Why is the Italian golden visa popular?

Italy’s attractive destinations, high quality of life, and strong economy make it an ideal choice for foreign investors. Unlike Switzerland, which only allows Golden Visa holders to reside and study in the country, Italy also permits its applicants to work.

The Italian Golden Visa allows visa-free travel within Europe’s Schengen area. Nalawade said, “This flexibility enables family members, including spouses, children under 18, and dependent parents, to obtain residency without any additional investment.”

Italian visa holders can take advantage of a special tax regime by paying a flat tax of €200,000 on income earned outside the European country instead of standard rates.

According to Zamboni, this benefits Golden Visa investors who decide to relocate to Italy. Nalawade stated, “Italy offers a favorable tax regime, making it an attractive destination for wealth management and investment.”Visa seekers can monitor the Italian stock exchange to determine their investment route.

Zamboni shared, “For investors willing to invest in strategic sectors (ranging from hospitality to industry), returns on private companies can easily exceed 15 percent per year in euros.”

For wealthy foreigners, Italy’s Golden Visa provides a “gateway” to first-class education and healthcare.”Students can benefit from Italy’s prestigious universities, while residents can enjoy extensive public healthcare services.

The Golden Visa allows investors to immerse themselves in Italy’s rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and Mediterranean lifestyle, making it not just a financial investment but a gateway to a fulfilling life in Europe,” explained Nalawade.

Italy’s Golden Visa differs from those offered by other countries because applicants are required to invest only after receiving approval.

Zamboni stated that this helps “avoid unpleasant situations in other countries where applicants invest first and then have to wait months and months for their application to be processed.”It also paves the way for Italian citizenship.

Golden Visa holders who have lived in Italy for 10 years are eligible to apply for citizenship.

Is Italy’s visa here to stay?

For now, yes.While Spain has closed curtains on its golden visa scheme, there are no such concerns for Italy, Zamboni said.

In reality, if European countries halve their residency requirements, the Italian Golden Visa could become more attractive to foreign investors.

Pro-migrant groups and opposition parties have urged foreigners to push for easier Italian citizenship laws, including reducing the mandatory residency period from ten years to five in order to apply for naturalization.

Nalawade said, “A referendum on these amendments is pending, which could significantly impact future applicants.”

Interest in the Italian Golden Visa has also increased, including among wealthy Indians.According to Nalawade, “Due to economic, educational, and lifestyle factors, there has been a significant rise in interest among Indian investors in the Italian Golden Visa program.

This trend reflects India’s growing global aspirations, with individuals and families seeking opportunities beyond their borders.

“He stated that the Golden Visa attracts Indian investors who are “looking for global mobility, business opportunities, educational benefits, and a pathway to European citizenship, making Italy a preferred destination for wealth and lifestyle diversification.”

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