Italia Startup Visa

The Italia Startup Visa (ISV) is a fast-track immigration pathway for non-EU entrepreneurs to relocate to Italy and establish an innovative startup (startup innovativa). Launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), the program provides a streamlined process: a nulla osta (certificate of no impediment) is issued within 30 days, followed by a self-employment entry visa from an Italian consulate. The program is open to applicants of any age, nationality, or business sector, provided the startup meets Italy's legal definition of an innovative company. Under the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028, 650 self-employment places per year are allocated (reduced from 730), which includes startup visa applicants alongside other autonomous workers.

• Non-EU/EEA citizen residing outside Italy
• Intent to establish a new innovative startup or join an existing one as a shareholder and director
• Business plan for a startup that meets the legal definition under Italian law: the company must focus on development, production, and commercialisation of innovative goods or services of high technological value
• The startup must meet at least one innovation criterion: R&D expenditure of at least 15% of the higher of turnover or costs; at least one-third of staff with a PhD or two-thirds with a master's degree; or ownership of a patent, industrial property right, or registered software
• Minimum €50,000 in liquid, immediately available funds to establish a new startup (or €100,000 to join an existing one)
• Prior-year income of at least €8,500
• No formal educational or professional qualifications required
• Valid health insurance covering at least the initial period of stay

For the Nulla Osta application:

• Completed application form (available in English and Italian)
• Business presentation deck (.ppt format)
• Business plan with cost and revenue forecasts
• Cover letter proving financial capacity
• Passport copy
• Proof of accommodation in Italy
• Prior-year income documentation (tax return showing at least €8,500)
• Official bank statement certifying available startup capital

For the visa application at the consulate:

• Nulla Osta certificate
• Valid passport (minimum 3 months beyond visa expiry)
• 4 passport-size photographs
• Hard copies of all submitted materials
• Proof of residence in the consular district
• Visa fee payment (€116)
• Confirmed flight reservation

The initial residence permit is valid for 1 year. Renewal is granted for 2-year periods, with unlimited renewals possible. To renew, the applicant must remain a shareholder and director of the startup, the company must be registered in the special section of the Business Register, and the applicant must declare annual income of at least €8,500 in Italy. Renewal must be applied for no later than 60 days before the current permit expires.

After 5 years of continuous legal residence, holders may apply for an EU long-term residence permit. After 10 years, they may apply for Italian citizenship.

Spouse, minor children, dependent adult children with permanent disability, and dependent parents may apply for family reunification. The primary visa holder must hold a residence permit valid for at least 1 year and must have resided continuously in Italy for at least 2 years before sponsoring family members. The sponsor must demonstrate annual income at least equal to the social allowance (€7,101.12 per year in 2026) with higher thresholds for multiple dependants, plus adequate accommodation. Family members receive a residence permit for family reasons that allows them to work in Italy.

Italian tax residents (183+ days in Italy) are subject to IRPEF personal income tax on worldwide income at progressive rates from 23% to 43%. Eligible sole proprietors may access the flat-rate tax regime (5% for the first 5 years, then 15%) if turnover is below €85,000.

Innovative startups benefit from several fiscal advantages: exemption from Chamber of Commerce annual fees and stamp duty for business register enrolment, public loan guarantees covering 80% of bank loans up to €2.5 million, and tax deductions of up to 65% for individual investors in innovative startups. The corporate income tax rate (IRES) is 24%.

The process has four steps:

Step 1 - Nulla Osta: Submit the complete application package via email to the MIMIT Technical Committee. The committee, composed of startup ecosystem experts, evaluates whether the business model meets innovative startup requirements and whether the applicant has adequate financial resources. The nulla osta is issued within 30 days if approved. Applications may also be submitted through a certified Italian incubator.

Step 2 - Visa: Visit the nearest Italian consulate with the nulla osta certificate and supporting documents to obtain a 1-year self-employment entry visa.

Step 3 - Residence Permit: After arriving in Italy, register at the local Questura within 8 days and apply for a 1-year self-employment residence permit.

Step 4 - Company Registration: Incorporate the startup as a limited liability company (S.r.l.) and register it in the special section of the Business Register at the local Chamber of Commerce.

The nulla osta application is free of charge. The total process from application to visa typically takes 6 to 8 weeks.

The startup must be incorporated as a limited liability company (S.r.l.) or cooperative under Italian law, domiciled in Italy, and registered in the special section of the Business Register. It must meet all requirements for innovative startup status: annual turnover below €50 million (raised from €5 million by Law 193/2024, aligned with EU SME criteria), not listed on a regulated market, not distributing dividends, not primarily engaged in consultancy or agency services, and not resulting from a merger, demerger, or business branch transfer. Innovative startup registration lasts 3 years by default, extendable to 7 years for companies meeting scale-up criteria (capital increase of at least €1 million or revenue growth exceeding 100% over two years). The company must file an annual self-certification confirming ongoing compliance with innovative startup requirements.