How to Get Residency in Italy Without Moving: The Truth Behind the Golden Visa

Many investors ask a simple question: can I qualify for Italy’s Golden Visa without relocating my life to Italy?

The answer, under current regulations, is yes.
 You can hold legal residency in Italy without physically moving there, provided your qualifying investment remains active and compliant.

But, as with most things in Italy, it helps to understand the intention behind the rule.

What the Law Allows

The Investor Visa for Italy grants residency to non-EU investors who make an approved investment in the Italian economy.
Unlike other residence permits, it does not require a minimum number of days in Italy each year.

That means you can:

  • Keep your main home or business abroad

  • Travel freely in and out of Italy

  • Retain residency status as long as your investment meets the programme’s conditions

Residency here refers to legal status, not daily presence. You hold the right to live in Italy without being required to spend most of your time there.

Tax residence, however, is determined separately. It depends on where you spend most of the year and where your family or business ties are strongest.

Residency and Tax Residence

Holding a residence permit is not the same as being a tax resident.

You become a tax resident in Italy only if you:

  • Spend more than 183 days per year in the country, or

  • Have your main interests, family, business, or property, based there.

If you live mainly abroad, you are generally not subject to Italian taxation.
Some investors later choose to become Italian tax residents to benefit from the €100,000 flat-tax regime, which applies to foreign income once residence is established.

At Ariete Capital, we see the Golden Visa as a flexible structure. It offers the right to live in Italy but does not require relocation.

How the Programme Works

To qualify, investors must choose one of four routes:

  • €2 million in Italian government bonds

  • €500,000 in shares of an Italian company (S.p.A. or S.r.l.)

  • €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup

  • €1 million donation to a public-interest project in culture, research, or the environment

After approval, the investor receives a two-year residence permit, renewable for three years at a time if the investment remains intact.

There is no minimum-stay requirement to keep or renew the permit, only the obligation to maintain the investment and comply with the law.

Applicants with Russian or Belarusian citizenship should note that restrictions remain for government or state-linked investments under EU sanctions (Council Regulation (EU) No 765/2006 and its amendments). Privately funded applications may still be reviewed individually, but eligibility must be verified through the official Investor Visa for Italy portal.

Why Italy Allows Residency Without Relocation

Italy’s government recognises that investment supports the economy even when investors live elsewhere.
 The Golden Visa encourages long-term capital participation in national industries and cultural projects while giving investors freedom to manage their lives abroad.

It suits people who:

  • Manage global businesses or family offices outside Europe

  • Want a European base without major lifestyle change

  • Plan a gradual transition toward retirement or relocation in Italy

Those seeking citizenship, however, must reside in Italy continuously for at least ten years. The flexibility applies to residency, not naturalisation.

Responsibilities for Non-Resident Holders

Even if you do not move to Italy, you must:

  • Maintain your investment in full for the entire permit period

  • Renew your documents on time and attend appointments when required

  • Stay compliant with anti-money-laundering and source-of-funds checks

You may also become eligible for the EU long-term residence permit after five years of legal residence, though this option usually requires some physical presence in Italy.

The Value of Flexibility

For many investors, gaining residency in Italy without moving brings peace of mind. It provides a European foothold, free movement across the Schengen Area, and a gradual way to build genuine ties with Italy.

You may never choose to relocate. Yet over time, many investors find that Italy becomes a natural part of their family and business life.

At Ariete Capital, we view the Golden Visa as a way to create choice, the freedom to invest and belong in a country that values continuity and character.

Get in touch to find out more.

Disclaimer: Regulations and tax frameworks may change. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Always confirm details through the official Investor Visa for Italy portal and consult qualified professionals before making decisions.

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Do you qualify?

The 4-Step Process to
Your Golden Visa

With Ariete Capital, the path to residency is straightforward and stress-free.

Steps:

  1. Select Your Investment Path – €250K startup or €500K portfolio

  2. Submit Application – With our legal & compliance support

  3. Receive Approval – Directly from Italian authorities

  4. Secure Residency – For you and your family, renewable and extendable

Why Partner with Ariete Capital

We go far beyond paperwork. Ariete Capital is your trusted investment partner in Italy, guiding every step of the journey.

What Sets Us Apart:

  • Tailored Investments: €250K innovative startups or €500K diversified portfolios
  • Full-Service Guidance: From application to approval, handled end-to-end
  • Proven Expertise: A specialized team with extensive Golden Visa track record
  • Lifestyle Concierge: Support with relocation, real estate, education, and integration in Italy

The Italian Golden Visa: Your Gateway to Europe

Italy’s Golden Visa isn’t just a permit—it’s the most elegant way to secure EU residency and safeguard your wealth.

  • Residency in Italy with full EU mobility

  • Valid for the whole family (spouse & dependents)

  • No minimum stay requirement

  • Strong legal framework, backed by the Italian government

  • Lifestyle benefits: healthcare, education, cultural heritage

Government Bonds

Ariete Capital enables applicants to obtain a Golden Visa through a €2,000,000 investment in Italian government bonds, one of the safest and most conservative options available.

The capital is allocated to BTPs or equivalent long-term instruments issued by the Italian Republic, with a maturity of at least 2 years, and held throughout the duration of the residence permit.

This path offers:

  • State-backed security, with minimal risk of capital loss

  • Passive income via interest payments

  • A clear, predictable structure requiring no active management

It’s particularly suited for:

  • Investors with low risk tolerance

  • Individuals focused on capital preservation

  • Applicants seeking the most institutionally stable route

While returns are modest, this route ensures legal residency through a structure aligned with sovereign financial instruments and minimal exposure to market volatility.

Philanthropic Donation

Ariete Capital provides access to a Golden Visa-eligible path through a €1,000,000 philanthropic donation to Italian public-interest initiatives, in line with national priorities.

These contributions are made to officially recognized organizations operating in sectors such as education, culture, scientific research, and immigration support — initiatives that enrich Italy’s long-term development and social impact.

While this investment path does not provide financial return, it offers the most streamlined, low-effort route to residency, without the complexity of managing assets or holding capital at risk.

This route is ideal for:

  • High-net-worth individuals looking to combine mobility and legacy

  • Families or trusts with charitable mandates

  • Applicants who value simplicity and social contribution over financial gain

This is a donation-based investment, best suited for those seeking to align their residency goals with long-term values and public good.

Italian Shares

Ariete Capital offers a distinctive investment pathway that combines European residency with ownership in some of Italy’s most iconic companies.

Through a minimum investment of €500,000, investors acquire Class B Units in a KPMG-audited Italian entity that allocates capital across a curated portfolio of market leaders including Ferrari, Moncler, Brunello Cucinelli, Campari, and Technogym.

The strategy is deliberately structured:

  • ​70% in Italian public equities
  • 20% in alternatives

  • 10% in cash equivalents
     

This diversified allocation targets a net IRR of 9%, balancing capital preservation with growth.

Ariete provides both a legitimate pathway to Italian residency and meaningful exposure to Italy’s luxury, lifestyle, and industrial champions, making it an ideal solution for investors seeking both European access and long-term capital growth rooted in Italian excellence.

Innovative Startup

Ariete Tech Solutions, the technology division of Ariete Capital, offers a Golden Visa–eligible investment through a €250,000 position in a certified innovative startup revolutionizing the valuation of alternative assets.

The company’s AI-powered platform delivers instant, data-driven pricing and predictive analytics for illiquid assets such as classic and supercars, fine art, luxury watches, yachts, wines, and private credit. It operates in a multi-trillion-euro market where accurate valuations are in high demand.

The model is proven:

  • Hybrid tech + asset strategy for diversified growth
  • SaaS with scalable, high-margin recurring revenue
  • Proprietary AI with unmatched valuation accuracy
  • Direct investments in appreciating tangible assets
  • Multi-stream income from software licensing, transaction fees, rentals, and asset sales

Investors receive equity in a high-growth AI venture uniquely positioned at the intersection of FinTech, alternative investments, and digital transformation. The structure is professionally managed and fully compliant, with clear liquidity pathways through strategic exits or public offering.

This is a residency-eligible investment designed for those seeking early-stage upside alongside the lifestyle and mobility benefits of Italian residency.