{"id":3436,"date":"2025-09-08T06:32:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T06:32:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/?page_id=3436"},"modified":"2026-04-23T08:19:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T08:19:06","slug":"visa-for-an-innovative-startup","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/corporate\/visa-for-an-innovative-startup\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa for an innovative startup"},"content":{"rendered":"
Investments and Real Estate<\/div>\n

Visa for an innovative startup<\/h1>\n
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Italy confirms itself as a dynamic country that is increasingly attractive for innovation and entrepreneurship, thanks to specific government policies aimed at attracting foreign talent and investment. In this context, the visa for an innovative startup in Italy represents a strategic opportunity for foreigners with high entrepreneurial and innovative skills who wish to launch a high-tech business in Italy. This type of visa fits into a broader framework of facilitations for entry and stay, which aim to simplify procedures and make Italy a fertile place for the development of new innovative enterprises. The process leads to the issuance of a long-term residence permit, essential for the implementation of the business project.<\/p>\n

Although the Government has implemented simplification measures, such as the centralization and digitalization of procedures, obtaining the visa and the subsequent residence permit requires a deep knowledge of the regulatory framework and careful management of interactions with the various authorities, from the technical committee \u201cItalia Startup Visa\u201d to diplomatic and consular representations and the Police Headquarters.<\/p>\n

The complexity of the legal requirements, the specific documentation and strict deadlines make qualified professional assistance essential. The International Law Firm Boschetti offers expert and specialized services to accompany innovative entrepreneurs along their path, from the initial assessment of requirements to obtaining the final residence permit, ensuring maximum effectiveness and compliance with current regulations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is an innovative startup<\/h2>\n
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The concept of an innovative startup in Italy was introduced and defined by Decree-Law 179\/2012, converted with amendments into Law of 17 December 2012, no. 221, marking a key moment in the recognition and support of high-tech entrepreneurship in the country. It is not a generic new company, but a capital company, including in cooperative form, under Italian law or a Societas Europaea, which must have its residence in Italy pursuant to article 73 of Presidential Decree 917\/1986. Its shares or units representing the share capital must not be listed on a regulated market or on a multilateral trading facility.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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To be classified as an innovative startup and benefit from the provided incentives, the company must meet a number of precise requirements. It must have been operating for no more than 5 years, have its main office in Italy and an annual turnover of less than five million euros. It is essential that it does not distribute profits and that its exclusive or prevalent business is focused on technological innovation. In addition, it must not have been established as a result of mergers, demergers or transfers of a company or business unit.<\/p>\n

Law no. 193\/2024 has also introduced the obligation that the startup be a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) according to EU Recommendation 2003\/361\/EC and has expressly excluded prevalent agency and consultancy activities. Startups can now enjoy the benefits for the first 3 years from the date of registration in the special section, with the possibility of remaining for a total of 5 years (with additional requirements) and extension up to 9 years for the scale-up phase.<\/p>\n

To these basic criteria, the need is added to meet at least one of the following qualifying requirements: allocate at least fifteen percent of its expenses to Research and Development activities, or have a team composed of at least one third PhD candidates or PhD holders (or staff with at least three years of research experience) or at least two thirds holders of a master\u2019s degree. Another acceptable criterion is to be the owner, applicant or licensee of a patent, an industrial property right or original software registered with SIAE.<\/p>\n

There are no age constraints for the entrepreneur, nor sectoral or geographical limits within the national territory. Certified incubators play an important role in supporting these new entrepreneurial realities, offering incubation and acceleration services. A thorough understanding of these criteria is essential for anyone seeking to obtain a visa for an innovative startup in Italy and the related residence permit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Requirements to apply for the Startup Visa in Italy<\/h2>\n
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For foreigners who aim to establish and launch an innovative startup in Italy, the visa for an innovative startup in Italy, provided for by the Italia Startup Visa initiative, requires compliance with specific criteria and the submission of detailed documentation. The fundamental requirement for obtaining the visa is the issuance of the Nulla Osta by the technical committee \u201cItalia Startup Visa\u201d, a body responsible for assessing the validity of innovative entrepreneurial projects. The applicant must complete a specific form, providing their academic and professional curriculum, as well as detailed information on the idea and business model, the type of product or service to be developed and the target market.<\/p>\n

Another essential requirement is proof of the availability of financial resources dedicated to the innovative startup, for an amount not less than 50,000 euros. These funds may come from various sources, including the investor\u2019s own capital, financing from venture capital funds, other investors, equity crowdfunding portals or governmental and non-governmental entities, also in combination. Proof of these financial resources must be provided through letters issued by the banks where the funds are deposited or letters confirming the financing. If the financing comes from certified incubators, the value of the in-kind services that the incubator undertakes to provide may also be included in the total amount.<\/p>\n

The applicant must also sign a declaration of commitment to use the funds for the establishment and operation of the startup. A significant simplification occurs when the non-EU foreign national has received availability from a certified incubator to host them, in this case, the incubator\u2019s commitment declaration is sufficient for the issuance of the Committee\u2019s Nulla Osta, without prejudice to the obligation to demonstrate the availability of financial resources. Finally, proof is required of suitable accommodation in Italy and of income, earned in the previous financial year in the country of residence, higher than the minimum level provided for exemption from healthcare expenses, currently about 8,400 euros. These requirements are crucial for the subsequent application for a residence permit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Innovative start-ups: procedure for the visa<\/h2>\n
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The procedure for obtaining the visa for an innovative startup in Italy is divided into several phases, which require precision and respect for timing for foreigners interested in embarking on this entrepreneurial venture. The first fundamental step is applying for the Nulla Osta from the technical committee \u201cItalia Startup Visa\u201d.<\/p>\n

The applicant must create an account on the dedicated portal and complete the online forms, providing their contact details, a curriculum vitae, the selection of the type of investment (if applicable, or the business plan for the startup) and documentation attesting to the ownership, transferability and lawful origin of the financial resources, as well as the absence of criminal convictions. Alternatively, a commitment declaration from a certified incubator can simplify this evaluation phase. The Committee assesses the application within thirty days from the submission of the complete documentation and also acquires the provisional Nulla Osta from the competent Police Headquarters.<\/p>\n

Once the Committee\u2019s Nulla Osta has been obtained, the applicant has six months to submit the application for the visa for an innovative startup in Italy to the Italian diplomatic-consular representation competent in their country of residence. The visa application must be accompanied by:<\/p>\n

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  • the Nulla Osta,<\/li>\n
  • the original documentation already submitted for the application,<\/li>\n
  • proof of suitable accommodation in Italy,<\/li>\n
  • proof of a minimum annual income.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The diplomatic and consular representations, after the necessary checks, issue a startup self-employment visa with a duration of one year.<\/p>\n

    After entering Italy with the visa, within eight working days, the holder must apply for the residence permit for self-employment at the Police Headquarters of the place of residence. This application must be submitted through the Post Offices, using the appropriate kit, and requires the submission of various documents, including passport, passport photos and payment receipts for the postal slips relating to the cost of the electronic document and the contribution for the issuance of the permit. The residence permit has a duration of two years and can be renewed for subsequent periods of three years, provided that the investment or the activity of the innovative startup is maintained. It is a structured path that requires attention to detail at every stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    Differences between the Startup Visa and the investor visa<\/h2>\n
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    The Italian legal system provides two distinct regulatory instruments to attract foreign capital and expertise in the field of innovation, each with specific characteristics and purposes. The Italia Startup Visa, regulated by the ministerial decree of 2014, is mainly aimed at foreign entrepreneurs who intend to establish innovative startups from scratch on national territory, requiring limited investments (generally between 50,000 and 100,000 euros) but subordinating the issuance of the visa to the qualitative evaluation of the business plan by a technical-scientific committee.<\/p>\n

    By contrast, the investor visa, introduced by article 26-bis of the Consolidated Immigration Act through the 2017 budget law, is intended for individuals who plan to make significant investments (minimum 250,000 euros) in already established innovative startups, following a predominantly quantitative approach.<\/p>\n

    While the first instrument prioritizes the entrepreneurial aspect and the innovativeness of the project, the second emphasizes investment capacity and offers greater operational flexibility. Both paths lead to the issuance of specific residence permits and represent a coordinated strategy to position Italy as an attractive hub for the international startup ecosystem, differing in their operational methods and target audience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    How the International Law Firm Boschetti can help you obtain the visa for an innovative startup<\/h2>\n

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    The International Law Firm Boschetti acts as legal, technical and administrative support for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to seize the opportunity to start an innovative startup in Italy and obtain the related visa for an innovative startup in Italy. The complexity of the Italian legal framework, which intertwines provisions on immigration, corporate law and innovation, makes expert and targeted legal assistance essential at every stage of the process. The International Law Firm Boschetti offers complete and personalized support, ensuring that every aspect of your application is handled with the utmost professionalism and care.<\/p>\n

    Our commitment begins with an in-depth consultation to assess the actual compliance of your business idea with the requirements of an \u201cinnovative startup\u201d defined by Italian law, including details on turnover, research and development expenses, team composition and intellectual property. The International Law Firm Boschetti, with its team of experts in commercial, corporate and tax law, assists you in preparing the documentation required for the Nulla Osta of the technical committee \u201cItalia Startup Visa\u201d, from drafting the curriculum vitae and the detailed business plan, to proving the availability and lawful origin of funds, a crucial aspect for the successful outcome of the procedure. We play an active role in submitting the application on the dedicated platform and manage communications with the Committee, including handling any requests for supplementary documentation within the required deadlines.<\/p>\n

    We continue our support by assisting you in the visa application phase for an innovative startup in Italy at the diplomatic-consular representations, providing all the necessary documentation, including proof of suitable accommodation and minimum income. Once the visa has been obtained and you have arrived in Italy, the International Law Firm Boschetti will guide you through the delicate procedure for obtaining the residence permit for self-employment, assisting you with form completion, payment of fees and submission of documentation at the competent Police Headquarters. Our goal is to simplify a complex path, allowing you to focus on developing your business, with the certainty of qualified legal assistance dedicated to the success of your project in Italy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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