{"id":2622,"date":"2022-11-04T14:07:04","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T14:07:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/?page_id=2622"},"modified":"2026-04-23T08:14:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T08:14:50","slug":"investor-visas","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/corporate\/investor-visas\/","title":{"rendered":"Investor Visas"},"content":{"rendered":"
Investments and Real Estate<\/div>\n

Investor Visa<\/h1>\n
\n

Investor visas were introduced by Article 1, Paragraph 148 of the 2017 Budget Law<\/strong>, which, with the aim of attracting foreign investors to Italy<\/strong>, added Article 26-bis<\/strong> to the Consolidated Immigration Act<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This category of visa is designed for foreign nationals with significant financial resources<\/strong> who are able to make high-value investments or philanthropic donations<\/strong> in Italy.<\/p>\n

Investor visas allow foreign nationals to stay in Italy for periods exceeding three months<\/strong>, without being subject to entry quotas<\/strong>, and are issued to individuals intending to make one of the following investments in Italy:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • An investment of at least \u20ac2 million<\/strong> in Italian government bonds<\/strong>, which must be held for at least two years<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    These include government securities<\/strong> periodically issued on the market, such as Buoni Ordinari del Tesoro (BOT), Certificati di Credito del Tesoro (CCT), Certificati del Tesoro Zero Coupon (CTZ), Buoni del Tesoro Poliennali (BTP), and inflation-linked BTPs (BTP\u20aci)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • An investment of at least \u20ac1 million<\/strong>, later reduced to \u20ac500,000<\/strong>, in capital instruments of an Italian company<\/strong>, which must be held for at least two years<\/strong>. Alternatively, an investment of \u20ac500,000<\/strong>, later reduced to \u20ac250,000<\/strong>, if the company is a recognized innovative startup<\/strong>. These reductions were introduced by Decree-Law No. 34 of May 19, 2020, Article 38, Paragraph 10<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      \n

      It is considered that foreign investors can invest not only in shares or corporate equity<\/strong>, but more broadly in any financial instruments that do not guarantee capital repayment or fixed returns<\/strong>. However, the investment must be made in a company incorporated and operating in Italy<\/strong>, meaning Italian companies primarily operating abroad or foreign companies with an Italian branch are excluded<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • A philanthropic donation of at least \u20ac1 million<\/strong> to support a project of public interest<\/strong> in sectors such as culture, education, immigration management, scientific research, or the restoration of cultural and landscape heritage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        The broadly defined wording<\/strong> of the regulation, which does not provide clear criteria<\/strong> for what constitutes \u201cpublic interest,\u201d<\/strong> currently makes practical application challenging<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

        [sign-in]<\/p>\n

        Visa for Foreign Investments<\/h2>\n
        \n

        A key requirement for the investor visa<\/strong> is obtaining a nulla osta (authorization)<\/strong>, which is issued by a special committee established specifically for this process<\/strong>, known as the Investor Visa for Italy Committee (IV4I)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        On November 16, 2017<\/strong>, the Investor Visa for Italy operational manual<\/strong> was approved by the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and the Ministry of the Interior<\/strong>. On December 16, 2017<\/strong>, the web platform<\/strong> for submitting nulla osta applications<\/strong> was launched.<\/p>\n

        To obtain the nulla osta<\/strong>, the following conditions must be met:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • The foreign national must be the owner and actual beneficiary<\/strong> of the funds intended for investment or donation<\/strong>, and these funds must be available and transferable to Italy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        • The foreign national must have additional financial resources<\/strong> beyond the investment amount, at least above the legal threshold for exemption from healthcare co-payments<\/strong>, ensuring complete financial self-sufficiency<\/strong> during their stay in Italy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          The applicant must complete the application forms<\/strong> and submit the following documents:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • A copy of their valid passport or equivalent travel document<\/strong>, with an expiration date at least three months beyond<\/strong> the requested visa validity.<\/li>\n
          • Documentation proving ownership and actual availability<\/strong> of the funds intended for investment or philanthropic donation<\/strong>, as well as proof that these funds are transferable to Italy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
          • Certification of the lawful origin of the funds<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
          • A written declaration<\/strong> committing to investing or donating<\/strong> the specified funds within three months<\/strong> of entering Italy. This declaration must include a detailed description<\/strong> of the investment or donation project and its beneficiaries<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

            \"\"<\/p>\n

            \n

            The required documentation for the investor visa application<\/strong> must be submitted via the designated web platform<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            The IV4I Committee<\/strong> has 30 days<\/strong> to evaluate the application and communicate its decision. It is important to note that, under Article 26-bis, Paragraph 3-ter<\/strong> of the Consolidated Immigration Act<\/strong>, introduced by Decree-Law No. 76 of July 16, 2020, Article 40-quater<\/strong> (converted into Law No. 120\/2020<\/strong>), the nulla osta issuance<\/strong> also serves as a confirmation that the principle of reciprocity<\/strong> (as stated in Article 16 of the General Provisions of the Civil Code<\/strong>) has been verified.<\/p>\n

            Additionally, under Paragraph 3-bis<\/strong>, also introduced by the above decree, if the nulla osta request is submitted by the legal representative of a foreign legal entity, the competent authority (designated under Paragraph 2) must request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to conduct a preliminary verification of the principle of reciprocity, as outlined in Article 16 of the General Provisions of the Civil Code<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            Upon positive evaluation of the submitted documentation<\/strong>, the IV4I Committee transmits the nulla osta to the competent Italian diplomatic or consular representation<\/strong>, which, after conducting the necessary verifications<\/strong>, issues the investor visa<\/strong>, explicitly labeled \u201cinvestor visa\u201d (Paragraph 3)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

            \n

            Once the nulla osta<\/strong> is issued, the foreign national has six months<\/strong> to submit the visa application<\/strong> to the competent consulate or embassy<\/strong> in their country of residence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            The investor visa<\/strong> is valid for two years<\/strong> and can be used to enter Italy at any time within two years<\/strong> from the date of issuance.<\/p>\n

            Upon entering Italy, as a general rule, the foreign national must apply for an investor residence permit<\/strong> at the competent Questura (police headquarters)<\/strong> within eight days<\/strong>. The permit is valid for two years<\/strong> and is issued only after the foreign national has proven that the investment or donation was made within three months<\/strong> of entry by uploading the required documentation to the designated government portal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            The investor residence permit<\/strong> can be renewed for an additional three years<\/strong> if the investment or donation is maintained<\/strong>, upon issuance of a new nulla osta<\/strong> by the IV4I Committee<\/strong>. If the investment conditions are no longer met<\/strong>, the permit may be converted into another type of residence permit<\/strong>, provided the applicant meets the legal requirements<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            Holding an investor residence permit<\/strong> for at least five years<\/strong> qualifies the individual to apply for an EU long-term residence permit<\/strong>, under Article 9 of the Consolidated Immigration Act<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

            Boschetti Law Firm has extensive experience<\/strong> in investor visas<\/strong> and provides legal consultation<\/strong> for any foreign national seeking to enter Italy to invest in government bonds, capital instruments of Italian companies, or philanthropic donations<\/strong>, in full compliance with the conditions described above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

            How Boschetti International Law Firm can help you obtain the investor visa<\/h2>\n

            \"\"<\/p>\n

            \n

            Boschetti International Law Firm<\/strong><\/span> provides qualified assistance to foreign citizens who intend to apply for an investor visa in Italy, guaranteeing high-level service in full compliance with all legal and procedural requirements.<\/p>\n

            We support you in every phase: from the assessment of requirements to the preparation of documentation, from contact with the authorities to support after the visa is issued. With us, you reduce the risk of a refusal of the investor visa, and we also work to speed up the timeframe of the administrative procedure.<\/p>\n

            Our support specifically includes:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Preliminary assessment of the specific case:<\/strong><\/span> we analyze in detail the client\u2019s personal and financial situation in order to identify the most suitable investment solution.<\/li>\n
            • Preparation and verification of documentation:<\/strong><\/span> based on legal requirements, we identify the documents needed to obtain the nulla osta and the visa.<\/li>\n
            • Direct interaction with the competent authorities:<\/strong><\/span> we represent your interests before consular representations and work to speed up the procedure.<\/li>\n
            • Post-issuance assistance:<\/strong><\/span> from the residence permit to the management of any extensions for family members, we assist the client until their full settlement in the national territory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Thanks to consolidated experience in immigration law, with a focus on businesses and investors, companies and individuals, the Firm ensures complete and reliable assistance throughout the process, achieving the result without unpleasant surprises.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


              \n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Investments and Real Estate Investor Visa Investor visas were introduced by Article 1, Paragraph 148 of the 2017 Budget Law, which, with the aim of attracting foreign investors to Italy, added Article 26-bis to the Consolidated Immigration Act. This category of visa is designed for foreign nationals with significant financial resources who are able to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3430,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2622","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2622","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2622"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2622\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5456,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2622\/revisions\/5456"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}