Europe
Italy
Residency by Investment
Two years of Italian residence, granted before a single euro is transferred.
Two years of Italian residence, granted before a single euro is transferred.
Italy pre-approves the investor, then requires the capital within three months of arrival. The result is an unusually low-risk route into a G7 economy, paired with one of Europe's most attractive flat-tax regimes for new residents.
Why Italy
Italy is unusual in approving the investor before any capital moves, so the commitment is made against a decision already in hand rather than against a hope. For families who intend to relocate, the flat-tax election on foreign income turns a G7 residence into a coherent fiscal position.
Benefits
- No obligation to invest until the visa is granted
- Family reunification for spouse, children and dependent parents
- Schengen mobility and access to Italian healthcare
- Optional flat-tax election on foreign income for new residents
- Route to permanent residence after five years
Qualifications
Every adult applicant is screened to private-banking standard. The points below are the statutory floor; the desk may ask for more depending on the source of wealth.
- Documented, unencumbered funds available for the full amount
- Nulla osta certificate from the investor visa committee
- Clean criminal record and suitable accommodation in Italy
- Capital transferred within three months of entry
Investment requirements
Thresholds below are the statutory minimum for a single applicant unless stated. Family composition changes the figure.
Innovative start-up
Equity in a registered Italian innovative start-up.
€250,000
Italian limited company
Share capital in an established Italian company.
€500,000
Philanthropic donation
Culture, education, immigration management or heritage.
€1,000,000
Government bonds
Italian sovereign bonds held for at least two years.
€2,000,000
Application fees & costs
The headline threshold is one of four layers. We set all four out in writing before an engagement is signed.
Qualifying investment
€250,000 into an innovative start-up
The threshold that satisfies the programme. Everything below sits on top of it.
Government and processing fees
Per family
Set by statute and confirmed in writing before any engagement is signed.
Due diligence
Per adult applicant
Background and source-of-funds verification by the receiving authority.
Professional fees
Fixed, agreed in advance
Our fee is quoted as a single figure for the whole family, never as a percentage.
Programme status
Accepting applications
Open. The nulla osta committee publishes decisions on a rolling basis and capital must follow within ninety days of entry.
Hampton & Kent and Italy
Our Italy desk files through licensed local counsel and owns the mandate from the first conversation to the document in hand. We do not hold client investment capital, and government contributions are paid directly to the relevant state account. Where Italy is not the right instrument for a family, we say so before any fee is discussed.
Programme terms are set by the government of Italy and change without notice. Nothing on this page constitutes legal or tax advice.
The route, stage by stage
How a Italy mandate progresses
- 01
Nulla osta
Digital application to the investor committee.
Weeks 1 – 5
- 02
Visa issue
Consular appointment in the country of residence.
Weeks 5 – 9
- 03
Entry and capital
Arrival, then investment executed within 90 days.
Months 2 – 5
- 04
Permit
Residence permit collected from the local questura.
Months 3 – 6
Next steps
Three ways to test Italy against your own position
Programme check
A confidential read of your file against the current Italy criteria, before anything is committed.
Request a review →Programme cost
A written figure covering investment, statutory fees, due diligence and our fee for your exact family.
Ask for a figure →Mobility map
Model what a Italy document adds to the passports your family already holds.
Open the index →Consider alongside
Programmes that pair well with Italy
Residency
Portugal
Europe's most quietly powerful residence, with a path to citizenship in five years.
- From
- €500k
- Timeline
- 8 – 14 mo
- Access
- 189
Residency
Greece
A Mediterranean base with Europe's most accessible property entry point.
- From
- €250k
- Timeline
- 4 – 8 mo
- Access
- 189
Residency
Malta
Permanent European residence from the outset, on an English-speaking island.
- From
- €182k
- Timeline
- 6 – 10 mo
- Access
- 189
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Italy enquiries
Need more information on Italy?
We will confirm eligibility, current thresholds and realistic timelines before any engagement is discussed.
Direct lines
Private clients
private.office@hamptonkent.comPartner desk
partners@hamptonkent.comLondon office
+44 20 3901 7742