Elective Residence Visa

Italy's Elective Residence Visa (Visto per Residenza Elettiva) allows non-EU/EEA nationals to settle in Italy on the basis of passive income, without engaging in any employment. The program targets retirees, pensioners, and persons of independent means who can support themselves through pensions, investment returns, rental income, or other non-employment sources.

• Non-EU/EEA national of any nationality
• Stable, continuous passive income of at least approximately €32,000 per year (consulates often expect well above this floor)
• Acceptable income sources: pensions, annuities, rental income, dividends, trust distributions, and returns from stable investments
• Employment income and self-employment income are not accepted
• No educational, professional, or age requirements
• International health insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage including hospitalisation and emergency repatriation
• Proof of accommodation in Italy: a registered rental contract (minimum 1-year term, registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate) or property ownership deed. Short-term rentals and hotel bookings are not accepted

• Completed national long-term visa application form
• Valid passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond visa expiry, at least 2 blank pages, issued within 10 years)
• Passport-sized colour photograph (35mm x 45mm, white background)
• Proof of legal residence in the consular jurisdiction
• Documented proof of passive income: bank letters, pension statements, last 2 years of income tax returns, last 12 months of bank statements
• Property purchase deed or registered rental contract for accommodation in Italy
• International health insurance policy
• Letter of intent explaining reasons for relocation
• One-way flight reservation
• Visa fee payment (€116, non-refundable)

The entry visa is valid for up to 1 year. Upon arrival, the holder applies for a residence permit initially valid for 1 year, renewable for periods of up to 2 years. Renewal must be submitted at the local Questura from 90 days before to 60 days after permit expiry, demonstrating continued compliance with all requirements.

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for an EU Long-Term Residence Permit granting indefinite residence rights. After 10 years, non-EU citizens may apply for Italian citizenship by naturalisation.

Dependent spouses, minor children, and adult dependent children may apply concurrently. Each family member submits a separate application with proof of the family relationship (apostilled marriage or birth certificates). A 2025 TAR Lazio court ruling clarified that consulates must use a tiered calculation for families — the base amount for the main applicant plus a lower supplementary quota per additional member — rather than requiring the full €32,000 for each person. Dependants face the same employment prohibition and must maintain their own health insurance.

Residents spending more than 183 days per year in Italy are subject to progressive IRPEF tax on worldwide income (23% to 43%, with the second bracket at 33% from 2026), plus regional and municipal surcharges.

Two optional flat tax regimes may apply:

• Pensioner flat tax (7%): Foreign pensioners who move to a qualifying municipality with up to 30,000 inhabitants (expanded from 20,000 by a 2026 law) in southern Italy (Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, or Puglia) pay 7% on all foreign-sourced income for 9 consecutive years.
• High-net-worth flat tax (€300,000/year): Individuals transferring tax residence to Italy from 1 January 2026 may opt for a €300,000 annual substitute tax on all foreign-sourced income (up from €200,000 previously), plus €50,000 per family member, for up to 15 years.

Applications are submitted in person at the Italian consulate or embassy in the applicant's country of residence. Some consulates require appointments via the Prenot@mi system; others accept mail submissions. Biometric data may be collected. Processing takes up to 90 days.

Upon entering Italy, the holder must apply for a residence permit at the Questura within 8 working days. Registration with the municipal civil registry (Anagrafe) and signing an Integration Agreement (Accordo di Integrazione) — which includes commitments such as learning Italian — are also required.

Holders must not be absent from Italy for more than 6 consecutive months during a 1-year permit. The residence permit allows free movement within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.