Are you thinking about moving to Italy long-term but have you no plans of working while here? Then, the Italy elective residency visa could be the perfect solution for you.
This visa, indeed, allows financially independent non-EU citizens to live in Italy for an extended period of time as long as they can support themselves through passive income (e.g. pensions, investments, rental earnings, etc.). That’s why it’s very often chosen by retirees and high-net-worth individuals that are looking for a legal way to live in Italy without needing a job!
As we already mentioned, Italy elective residency visa (in Italian, visto per residenza elettiva) is a kind of long-stay visa that allows non-EU citizens to live in Italy if they can financially support themselves without the need for a job. While it’s sometimes called “Italian retirement visa,” it’s not actually limited to retirees. On the contrary, it’s open to anyone with sufficient passive income who wants to reside in Italy.
The most important rule is this: holders of this visa cannot work in Italy in any form. The visa is indeed strictly for those people who can support their lifestyle in Italy entirely by income sources outside of employment. And this is what makes it an ideal route for people who want to enjoy their stay in the country without needing to find a job.
The visa is aimed at non-EU citizens who want to move to Italy and have stable, independent financial means. That’s why common applicants include:
The official yearly income requirements, as set by the law, are:
These are, however, only baseline thresholds and consulates tend to view applicants with income at least two to three times higher more favorably. That’s for a very simple reason: they want to be sure the applicants will not become financially dependent on the state.
Applicants must demonstrate that they have a suitable housing in Italy by showing either:
Short-term rentals and temporary bookings cannot be accepted by embassies and consulates. And with the need of a finalized property contract before applying, the process can easily turn into a challenge: landlords, indeed, are generally hesitant to rent to people who don’t have their visa yet.
To apply for the elective residency visa, you must have comprehensive private health insurance. For it to be considered as valid, it must cover at least €30,000 per year in medical expenses and be valid in all Schengen countries.
In addition to the prior main requirements, necessary documentation includes:
Please note that consulates may have different administrative procedures. It’s therefore important to verify local requirements before applying so as not to lose time in applying.
Before even applying, make sure to prepare all the necessary paperwork. This also means ensuring that all translations, legalizations, and financial documents are up to date (no older than three months). A well-structured and organized application will not only make things easier, but also have a much higher chance of success!
As soon as you have all your documents in order, apply through the Italian consulate that has jurisdiction over your country or region of residence. Note that appointments can be difficult to obtain (depending on location and time of the year): you may need to book your appointment several months in advance!
On the day of the appointment, bring all documents with you and review them with the help of the visa officer. They might request additional documents depending on the situation or any specific internal rule; in that case, you’ll have to repeat the process and book another appointment.
If everything is all set, hand in your request and wait for the processing. By law, consulates and embassies have up to 90 days to process visa applications but, depending on the number of requests, it may take longer. Note that during the whole period, your passport will be kept by the consulate so you should not make any travel arrangements until the visa is granted.
Once your visa is approved, you’ll be able to enter Italy and the Schengen Area. Once you’re there, however, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit. This document legally allows you to stay in the country and must be requested within eight days of arrival. With it you’ll be able to live in Italy for one year, but you can renew it annually if you keep on meeting the visa conditions. And, over time, residency can even lead you to eligibility for Italian citizenship!
Unfortunately rejections are quite common, even for applicants who meet the financial requirements. To help you better prepare for the application process, here are the most frequent reasons for refusal:
To make sure your application is accepted, you might want to follow some tips from experts specializing in Italian immigration law. Here are the main points:
No, with the elective residency visa, employment of any kind is prohibited. The visa is granted only to people who can sustain themselves through passive income.
Yes, owning property in Italy can strengthen your application since it shows commitment to living in Italy.
Processing times vary by consulate and how many requests are pending. Generally it will take between three and six months from the date of application.
Yes, as long as you continue to meet all requirements. Each renewal, however, is evaluated by local authorities.
Yes, spouses and dependent children can be included in the application if your financial resources are sufficient to support them too.
If the visa is denied, you can appeal the decision. The process, however, can take several months and most applicants prefer to reapply after correcting documentation issues.
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