The process to obtain permanent residency in Italy is rather long and it is subject to a number of regulations. Among these is that owning a property in Italy does not automatically allow you to reside in the country permanently. Nevertheless, there are different types of visas and residency permits that allow non-European citizens to stay in Italy for a long period of time. Having said this, it will be the aim of the article to provide key information for those of you who are planning on purchasing a property in Italy and wish to enjoy your property without any restrictions or time limitations.
In essence, as already mentioned above, if you buy the house of your dreams in Italy and wish to enjoy your property all year round, you should be aware that owning a property does not entitle you to a visa (although it may facilitate the obtainment of some specific visas). In fact, individuals from non-Schengen countries which are not part of the visa waiver program need a tourist visa; this visa allows you to stay in Italy for a maximum of 90 days. By contrast, if you are an EU citizen you can move freely between EU countries and live, study or work in any of the EU’s member states without the need for a visa.
Therefore, if you are a non-EU national and you plan on living in Italy for a period of time which is longer than 3 months, you should apply for a visa and for a temporary residency permit upon arrival in Italy (within 8 days from your arrival); this can be done at your local police headquarters (“Questura”) in Italy. The residency permit allows you to stay in Italy for a period of time which ranges from 2 to 5 years, and which generally allows you to travel to other Schengen countries for up to 3 months every 6 months. You can apply for a temporary residency permit if you enter Italy with a specific visa, among these are the following:
- Employment and self‐employment Visas
- Elective Residence Visa
- Study or Vocational training Visas
- Family Reunion Visa
If you are a non-EU citizen who has resided in Italy without interruptions for 5 years, you can apply for a permanent residency permit after 5 years. In order to obtain this residency permit, you need to show evidence that you have lived in Italy for 5 years without any interruption, that you have a legal address in the country, a set income, and that you have no criminal records.
Although the ownership of a property in Italy does not entitle you to a residency permit, it can certainly help to obtain an Elective Residence Visa, which is rather popular. This type of visa is especially designed for foreigners who have enough financial resources to support themselves without relying on employment while they are staying in Italy. One of the requirements to apply for the Elective Residence Visa is owning a property or renting one. However, as many landlords are reluctant to rent properties to people who do not hold a visa, if you own a property in Italy you have a great advantage. Once you obtain an elective residency visa through your local Italian consulate, you will be granted the related residency permit upon arrival in Italy. This permit is generally valid for one year only, but it can be renewed every year provided that you still meet the requirements at the time of the renewal.
In conclusion, if you are a non-EU citizen and you purchase a property in Italy, you can stay in Italy for a limited period of time unless you hold a special visa that allows you to apply for a temporary residency permit and thus stay in the country for a longer period of time. Finally, after 5 years of uninterrupted residency in Italy, you can apply for a permanent residency permit. It is also worth pointing out that if you have Italian ancestry and wish to apply for Italian citizenship, when you will be recognized as an Italian citizen you will be issued an Italian passport and you will be able to stay in Italy without any restrictions or time limitations.
If you are planning on moving to Italy and you need information or help with the bureaucratic intricacies of purchasing a property, do not hesitate to contact us at info@italianrealestatelawyers.com . We will be more than happy to assist you.
FAQs
How much money do I need to invest to get permanent residency in Italy? ›
A minimum of EUR 500,000 in Italian shares (reduced to EUR 250,000 if investing in innovative start-ups) A minimum of EUR 1 million in projects of public interest in Italy, such as culture, education, ecology, immigration management, research and development, arts, and heritage. This is a non-refundable donation.
How do you qualify for residency in Italy? ›After living in Italy for more than five years with a temporary residence permit, you can apply for an Italian Permanent Residence Permit. This grants you similar rights to Italian citizens, such as being able to live and work in other EU countries without a visa or work permit.
Do I need residency to buy a house in Italy? ›I am an american citizen: Can I purchase a house in italy? The answer is yes! American citizens can buy houses in Italy without needing to have any special documents and do not have to pay higher taxes compared to EU citizens.
Is it easy to get residency in Italy? ›It is very easy for EU citizens to apply for a permanent residence permit in Italy, as they only need their valid IDs or passports when entering the country. In their case, a simple declaration of presence with the police station of the city they live in is sufficient.
Can I get permanent residency in Italy if I buy a house? ›Buying property in Italy does not give owners the right to permesso di soggiorno, an Italian permit to stay. However, owning property can strengthen your application for an Italian elective residency visa if you prove you have stable and sufficient funds to support your stay without employment.
Can I get PR if I buy property in Italy? ›Although the ownership of a property in Italy does not entitle you to a residency permit, it can certainly help to obtain an Elective Residence Visa, which is rather popular.
How long does it take to get a residence permit in Italy? ›In order for you to apply for the EU long term residence permit, you'll have to collect the so-called “yellow kit” from the local post office. Once you've filled in the “yellow kit”, you're expected to file it at the post office. Your EU long term residence permit application will be processed within four to six weeks.
How much does it cost to become a resident of Italy? ›As a rule, the dual Italian citizenship process can cost anywhere between $500 - $10,000.
How much income is required for elective residence visa in Italy? ›An important aspect to be considered when applying for an Italian elective residency visa is the amount of money necessary for proving sufficient funds. For a single person, at least 31, 000 euros are necessary. For a married couple, the minimum amount is 38,000 euros.
Can I buy property in Italy as a Canadian? ›Canadian citizens have no restrictions on buying property in Italy.
Do you need a lawyer to buy property in Italy? ›
During the process of a property sale/purchase in Italy, it is not common practice for the buyer and the seller to be represented by separate lawyers. Instead, the Notaio, a public official who drafts the deed of sale, checks that all is in order and should represent and advise both parties equally.
How much is property tax in Italy for non residents? ›In addition if this property is your primary residence in Italy and you spend here more than 6 months per year, the tax will only be 2% of the cadastral value. On the other hand, if this is your second property and you are not a permanent resident this tax rises up to 9% of the cadastral value.
Can you get residency by buying property? ›Some individuals have misconceptions regarding the various routes to residency in the UK. Purchasing a residential property in the UK will not give the investors or them residency in the UK.
Can you buy a house without permanent residency? ›Yes! Whilst many lenders will not lend to you there are a good number that will at normal standard interest rates. Thats right, you will not be paying more because you do not hold permanent residency. The key to getting approved is simply applying with the right bank and that is where MAP can help.
Is it worth buying property in Italy? ›Purchasing property in Italy is a good investment for a number of reasons. Firstly, Italy's transaction costs are lower compared to other European countries such as Spain or Portugal. Currently, the interest rate on properties is still at historic lows, which makes purchasing a property a very good investment.
How can a Canadian get PR from Italy? ›- Canada Express Entry Economic Programs. ...
- Canada Provincial Immigrant Nominee Programs. ...
- International Students pathway. ...
- Canada Temporary Work Permit pathway. ...
- Canada's Start-Up Visa Program is also a pathway to immigrate.
Italy is a Schengen area country. Canadian citizens do not need a visa for travel to countries within the Schengen area. However, visa-free travel only applies to stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
What is the benefits of carta di soggiorno? ›Also known as 'ex carta di soggiorno', 'permesso illimitato', or '00', this permit prevents you from being expelled from Italy, unless for severe State security reasons, and enables you to participate in some forms of local public life (for example, you can vote in referendum at the municipal level).
How long can you stay in Italy without residency? ›Americans staying in Italy for more than three (3) months are considered residents. This includes Americans who will work or transact business and persons who want to simply live in Italy.
What is Permiso de Soggiorno in English? ›Permesso di Soggiorno means “residence permit”. It is the document you need to get to stay in Italy for a long time.
How much income required for retirement visa in Italy? ›
Elective Residence Visa
The foreign citizen must be retired with a minimum annual income of €31,000. For married couples, this annual income amount increases to €38,000. If children will accompany the retiree/s, a minimum of €20,000 annually is required for each dependent child.
Since 1992, Italy has allowed dual citizenship with the United States, and you will not need to renounce your American citizenship during the process of applying. Italian citizenship is granted as a “birth right” through a familial line.
How much bank balance is required for Italy visa? ›The amount in your bank account and available credit on your credit card must equal a minimum of $5,500. Health insurance. Proof of international health insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, specifically covering travel to Schengen states is required.
Can I live in Italy as a Canadian citizen? ›Canadians have to apply for a visa that will grant the right to live in Italy for a period of 12 months; given that the duration of stay is longer than 90 days, if the applicant receives the visa, after the arrival, in a period of maximum 8 days, the person must apply for a residency permit.
How long can a Canadian citizen live in Italy? ›How long can I stay and work? You can stay in Italy for up to 12 months. You can participate in Italy's Youth Exchange Program twice under the category of your choice.
How to apply for elective residence in Italy? ›- Book an appointment at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country which is responsible for your jurisdiction. ...
- Download, complete, and sign the Italy Long-Stay Visa Application Form.
- Gather all the required documents.
A Answer: In order to complete an Italian property purchase it is not necessary to have an Italian bank account, even if you are not an Italian citizen nor an Italian resident.
How do you transfer property ownership in Italy? ›In Italy, the transfer of real estate cannot be completed simply by the parties signing an agreement. They must execute a deed of transfer (the so-called 'rogito') before an Italian Notary. After they sign the deed, the legal ownership of the property is transferred to the other party.
Does Italy have a golden visa program? ›Does Italy offer the Golden Visa? Yes, the Italy Golden Visa program is an immigration by investment scheme that allows non-EU citizens to acquire a residence permit in exchange for an investment in the country's economy.
What taxes are involved in buying a property in Italy? ›For example, if you buy a residential property from a private person, the standard rate is 9% of value on the property tax record (some people call this “cadastral value“). A reduced 2% tax rate is applicable if you qualify forFirst Home Tax Reduction.
How much tax do you pay when buying property in Italy? ›
Taxation Upon Purchase
The combined amount usually varies between 2% and 4% of transaction value. Property tax ranges from 0.4% to 0.7% of fiscal value, depending on location and property type. There is no wealth tax in Italy. Individuals are exempt of capital gains tax five years after the purchase.
ANNUAL PROPERTY TAXES
IMU is the annual council tax, which is payable in June and December. You pay for the previous months, so in June, you are paying for January to June, and in December you are paying for July – December. The IMU tax is calculated, using the Rendita Catastale of the property.
The Italy Golden Visa allows you to gain residency in the country for a qualifying investment worth at least at €250,000. You are then able to become an Italian citizen by naturalization ten years after the date you have been granted a visa, provided that you meet all the requirements.
How to get Italian citizenship by investment? ›Can I get Italian citizenship as an investor? If you wish to become an Italian citizen, you'll have to spend at least 10 years as a resident. Then, you'll have to apply to get Italian citizenship by naturalization. There is no direct citizenship by investment program in Italy.
Can you be a dual citizen of Canada and Italy? ›About Applying for Italian Dual Citizenship from Canada. You might have heard about Italian citizenship jure sanguinis in Canada. This refers to an Italian law which enables people to claim dual citizenship through ancestral ties. To clarify, 'Jure Sanguinis' is synonymous with 'by descent'.
How long can Canadian citizens stay in Italy? ›Entry/exit requirements
Canadians do not need a visa to travel to countries within the Schengen area for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
In order for you to apply for the EU long term residence permit, you'll have to collect the so-called “yellow kit” from the local post office. Once you've filled in the “yellow kit”, you're expected to file it at the post office. Your EU long term residence permit application will be processed within four to six weeks.
What are golden visas for Italy? ›Italy Golden Visa offers non-EU nationals an opportunity to get a residence visa in exchange for an investment in Italy. The program grants a residence permit that is valid for two years. After this period is over, the permit can be extended for three years.
Can you be resident in Italy but not tax resident? ›An individual who is registered with the Registry of the Resident Population for less than 183 days in a calendar year is generally considered a non-resident for tax purposes (although other factors have to be taken into consideration) and is thus subject to taxation only on Italian source income.
What is the fastest way to get Italian citizenship? ›Making your application for Italian citizenship by descent in Italy can be one of the fastest ways to apply for Italian Citizenship by Descent. In many consulates around the world, the waiting time for the initial appointment can be several months.