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
But a residence permit can be obtained through the Italy Golden Visa program. Can I get residency in Italy if I buy a house? Purchasing real estate in Italy does not entitle foreign citizens to a residence permit in the country. But you can choose other investment options via the Italy Investor Visa program.
How do you qualify for residency in Italy? ›
Regardless of your country of origin, you are eligible to apply for a permanent residence in the country after 5 uninterrupted years of residence in Italy. The permanent residence permit is also referred to as an EU Long Term Residence Permit.
How much money do I need to invest to get permanent residency in Italy? ›
How much money must I invest to gain permanent residency in Italy? The Italian Golden Visa – officially the Italian Investor Visa program – requires a minimum investment of €250,000 (about $273,000).
What is the residence requirement in Italy? ›
The Italian law on immigration requires that non-EU citizens, planning to stay in Italy for more than 3 months, have to apply for the residence permit within 8 working days from their arrival in Italy. People with dual nationality (Italian or EU/ExtraEU) do not need to apply for the residence permit.
Is it difficult to get residency in Italy? ›
To qualify for permanent residence, you must have lived in Italy for at least five consecutive years. You are not allowed to leave the country for a continuous period of more than six months, or a total period of more than 10 months. That said, the requirement can be eased in some cases.
How long can I stay in Italy if I own a home? ›
LONG TERM SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA (V.S.U.) (5 YEARS)
Anyone wishing to make a real estate investment in Italy who does not intend to transfer residence can obtain a long term Schengen visa (5 years), if the requirements of their stay in the country do not exceed 90 days every 6 months.
How to get Italian residency as an American? ›
If you plan to live in Italy then you must be in Italy in order to register for residency. You cannot do it from the U.S. or via a Consulate. You will need to file a residency application with the local municipality (comune) at the local registry office (anagrafe) where you intend to live.
Can you have dual residency in US and Italy? ›
Italy has permitted dual citizenship with the United States since 1992 and you will not need to renounce your original citizenship during this application process.
How many years does it take to get permanent residency in Italy? ›
Obtaining Permanent Residency in Italy
After five years of legal stay and provided the eligibility requirements are met, a foreign national can apply for permanent residency i.e. EU residence permit for long-term residents (Permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo), valid indefinitely.
What are the pitfalls of buying property in Italy? ›
Not fully understanding the local property taxes and maintenance obligations can result in unexpected costs. For instance, Italy has an IMU tax (a kind of municipal tax on property) that varies depending on the region and property type. Failure to understand these nuances can lead to financial strain down the line.
Countries in Europe that are easiest to get citizenship
Portugal, Spain, and Greece offer more accessible citizenship options, especially through investment or Europe Golden Visa programs. Malta and Cyprus also have investment citizenship alternatives.
What is the cheapest Golden Visa in Italy? ›
Italy Golden Visa — €250,000. For Italy Golden Visa applicants, real estate investment is off the table. The cheapest option is contributing €250,000 to an innovative startup.
Can I buy a house in Italy without residency? ›
Can Americans buy property in Italy and do I need citizenship? Absolutely yes, many Americans buy Italian property and you do not need citizenship. You can buy as a resident if you qualify and intend living there, or as a non resident. Many Americans think citizenship is needed but this is not the case.
How much does it cost to get residency in Italy? ›
The cost of applying for a permanent Italian residence permit is €176.46; €100 for the application, an additional charge of €30.46 for the electronic card, €16.00 for the application stamp and €30.00 for the mailing fee. In some cases, you are exempt from paying the additional fee if you're: A minor.
Does Italy allow dual citizenship? ›
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.
Can I buy a house in Italy as a non resident? ›
As a general rule, Italian law permits the purchase of real estate by foreigners. However, can be a few exceptions for foreigners coming from “sensitive” countries or countries that do not grant reciprocity rights to Italian citizens, which shall be examined on a case-by-case basis.
How to get residency in Italy by investment? ›
It is not possible to obtain a residence permit in Italy and move there if you buy real estate. The Investor Visa can be given for the following investment options: investment in an innovative startup — €250,000+; business investment — €500,000+;
Does owning property give residency? ›
One of the most common questions we get from our foreign clients is whether buying an American property will give them the legal right to live in the United States. Unfortunately, our first answer is always no. Just purchasing U.S. real estate does not automatically set you on the path toward citizenship.
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.
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.