Italy’s investor visa lets eligible non-EU nationals secure approval before committing capital, and in 2026 that remains its biggest practical advantage. You apply online, obtain a Nulla Osta, meaning a certificate of no impediment, then apply for the visa at the Italian consulate. After entering Italy, you apply for the residence permit within 8 days and complete the qualifying investment within 3 months of arrival.

That sequence matters. If your file is rejected at the initial stage, you have not already tied up funds in bonds, a company investment or a donation. The 4 qualifying routes run from €250,000 to €2 million, roughly £215,000 to £1.7 million depending on the exchange rate, and real estate does not count. The Italy golden visa page sets out who this route suits.

What approval before investment protects

Most residency-by-investment routes expect applicants to commit money before the immigration outcome is clear. Italy reverses that order. The Investor Visa for Italy Committee reviews the source of funds, investment route and supporting documents before you move the money.

The Nulla Osta is not the finish line. It is permission to apply for the entry visa, not automatic residence. You still need the consular visa, the residence permit application in Italy, and proof that the investment was completed on time. The after approval steps are where many applications need careful sequencing.

The four qualifying routes

Route	Minimum investment	Approximate GBP	Practical note
Innovative startup	€250,000	Around £215,000	Lowest entry point, but higher commercial risk
Italian company investment	€500,000	Around £430,000	Equity or eligible capital investment in an Italian company
Philanthropic donation	€1 million	Around £860,000	Non-refundable donation to a qualifying public-interest project
Italian government bonds	€2 million	Around £1.7 million	Conservative route, but the highest capital requirement

You must choose one qualifying route. You cannot mix routes or split the investment to reach the threshold. The startup option is the cheapest, but it is not automatically the safest. If you are not genuinely comfortable with early-stage company risk, the €500,000 company route may be a better fit. Government bonds sit at the conservative end, but tie up far more capital.

The process in practice

Applications are made through the official Investor Visa for Italy portal. Once a complete application is accepted for review, the committee’s decision is targeted within 30 days, although requests for extra documents can pause the timetable.

If the Nulla Osta is granted, you normally have 6 months to apply for the investor visa at the relevant Italian diplomatic office. UK-based applicants should check the Italian Consulate in London requirements early, because investor visa applications are document-heavy and normally require an in-person appointment.

After arrival in Italy, you must apply for the residence permit within 8 days. The investment or donation must then be completed within 3 months of arrival. You also need to upload evidence through the portal so the committee can confirm that the money has been invested as approved.

This residence-led model is one reason Italy still looks measured while EU citizenship routes narrow.

What it does not do

The visa is residence, not a passport. It gives a route into lawful residence in Italy, with Schengen access attached to Italian residence status, but citizenship is a much longer question. Long-term residence may become possible after 5 years if the wider requirements are met. Citizenship for non-EU nationals is usually a 10-year path and depends on residence, language, integration and other legal conditions.

There is no general minimum stay requirement to keep the investor permit, but you must maintain the qualifying investment for the life of the permit and any renewal. Holding the visa does not automatically make you Italian tax resident. Italy’s separate new-residents flat-tax regime is a tax election and needs specialist advice. From 2026, the annual substitute tax for new entrants is €300,000 on qualifying foreign income, with a separate amount for eligible family members.

Since Brexit, UK nationals are treated as non-EU nationals for this route. It is sensible to weigh Italy against a Greece golden visa, Portugal golden visa and a full golden visa cost breakdown before choosing.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy property to get the Italy investor visa?

No. Real estate does not qualify. The routes are an innovative startup investment, an Italian company investment, a philanthropic donation or Italian government bonds. You can still buy a home separately.

Do you have to live in Italy to keep the visa?

There is no standard minimum stay requirement for maintaining the investor permit, but you must keep the qualifying investment in place. Long-term residence and citizenship require a much more substantial residence position.

When do you make the investment?

After approval and entry. You obtain the Nulla Osta, apply for the visa, enter Italy, apply for the residence permit within 8 days, then complete the investment within 3 months of arrival.

How long does it take?

The Nulla Osta decision is targeted at around 30 days once the file is complete. The full process often takes several months, depending on documents, consular appointments and post-arrival steps.

If you want to know which route fits your profile and how to sequence the approval, visa and investment without missteps, speak to the Coates Global team before you apply. The Italy investor visa service explains the support available, or you can book a consultation to plan your Italy application.