Introduction

When investors examine Italy’s Investor Visa, often called the Italy Golden Visa, the first question is simple: how much does it cost?

Most discussions stop at the minimum investment figures. In reality, the Italy Golden Visa cost includes several layers: the qualifying investment, official fees, professional support, family inclusion, and the costs of maintaining compliance over time.

This guide breaks down each element, helping investors evaluate cost as part of a long-term strategy rather than a single transaction.

1. The Core Capital Cost: Minimum Investment Thresholds

The main cost of the Italy Golden Visa is the qualifying investment. The official Investor Visa for Italy portal defines four routes with fixed thresholds:

• €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup

• €500,000 in shares or equity of an Italian limited company

• €1,000,000 as a donation to a public-interest project such as culture, research, or education

• €2,000,000 in Italian government bonds

Only one route can be chosen, and the full amount must be invested in that category. Combining smaller amounts across multiple routes is not permitted.

Property investment alone does not qualify. Italy excluded real estate to direct capital into productive sectors of the economy rather than housing speculation.

Source: Investor Visa for Italy — Official Porta

2. Official Government Fees

National Visa Fee

Applicants must apply for a national long-stay visa (type D). The consular fee is currently €116 per applicant, as set by Italy’s official consular fee schedule.

This fee is paid in local currency at the consulate’s exchange rate and can vary slightly depending on location and policy updates.

Residence Permit and Card Cost

After arrival, investors must apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within eight days. The following standard charges apply:

• €50 for residence permits between one and two years

• €30.46 for the electronic residence card

• €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo)

• Around €30 for postal handling when submitted through post offices

In total, a typical two-year residence permit costs €115–€130 per person, including all administrative fees.

3. Legal, Advisory, and Compliance Costs

The law does not require hiring a lawyer, but in practice, most investors rely on professional guidance to ensure accuracy and compliance.

Market estimates from established immigration and investment law firms place total legal or advisory support for a single application in the range of €5,000 to €10,000, depending on complexity and family size.

Additional expenses may include:

• Certified translations and sworn interpreters

• Apostilles or legalisation of foreign documents

• Due diligence for source-of-funds documentation

• Investment or tax structuring advice where applicable

These costs are not state-imposed but are part of the real cost of completing the process responsibly.

4. Cost of Family Inclusion

A single qualifying investment covers the main applicant and all eligible dependents. There is no requirement to increase the capital investment for each family member.

Eligible dependents generally include:

• A spouse or legally recognised partner

• Minor children

• Dependent adult children, including those with disabilities

• Dependent parents who rely financially on the main applicant

The additional costs for including family members are:

• Visa and residence permit fees for each person

• Translation and legalisation of family documents

• Professional coordination for dependency evidence and consular appointments

While these costs are relatively minor compared to the investment, they increase proportionally with the number of dependents.

5. Renewal and Long-Term Cost Commitments

The Investor Visa is a renewable residence framework tied to an ongoing investment.

• The initial residence permit is valid for two years.

• It can be renewed for three years if the investment remains in place.

• Each renewal requires a new Nulla Osta confirming that the investment is still active.

Renewal fees are modest, but the financial commitment continues for as long as the investor holds residency.

There is no minimum stay requirement to keep the permit valid. However, investors seeking long-term EU residency or Italian citizenship must eventually reside in Italy for five or ten years respectively.

Source: Investor Visa for Italy — Official Portal

6. Hidden and Indirect Costs

Beyond official and professional fees, there are indirect costs that informed investors consider when calculating the full cost of participation.

Opportunity Cost

Capital invested in government bonds, startups, or companies remains tied up during the visa period and cannot be allocated elsewhere.

Tax and Structuring

Investors who become tax residents in Italy may be eligible for the special flat-tax regime for new residents, but this requires separate analysis and compliance costs. Those who maintain residence abroad may have different tax implications depending on their global structure.

Time and Oversight

Even with legal assistance, there is administrative time involved: gathering documentation, maintaining records, and managing renewals. Investors should treat time as part of the total cost.

7. Summary of Key Cost Components

8. Cost as Part of Strategy

The Italy Golden Visa cost should never be viewed as a purchase price. It represents a commitment to invest responsibly in Italy’s economy and institutions.

For global families, the real question is not how much capital is required, but how that capital fits within a long-term European strategy — one that balances financial prudence, mobility, and legacy planning.

Ariete’s Perspective

At Ariete, we work with investors who view cost in context: not as an entry fee, but as an investment in governance, structure, and permanence.

We focus on designing portfolios and legal frameworks that integrate the Italian residency process into a broader wealth strategy. That approach ensures every euro invested serves both compliance and continuity.

For those evaluating the Italy Golden Visa cost in 2025, clarity is the greatest value. With informed preparation, the path to Italian residency becomes not a transaction, but a well-calibrated step toward stability and legacy.

Get in touch to find out more.