Get an Elective Residence Visa in Italy
Our lawyer can help with the elective residence visa process in Italy.
How can a lawyer help me
The process of obtaining an elective residence visa in Italy can be complex and time-consuming, and it is important to ensure that your application is complete and accurate to avoid delays or rejections.
A lawyer with experience in Italian immigration law can provide valuable assistance in navigating the elective residence visa process. They can advise you on the necessary documentation and requirements, and ensure that your application meets all necessary criteria.
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To request a free consultation case, please provide us with your contact details below and we will contact you via email or phone.
What is the Elective Residence Visa?
This visa is the called the national type âDâ visa and is for foreigners and expats who wish to reside in Italy without working. Itâs aimed at retirees as the permit is a residence permit and not a work permit.
Itâs Italyâs version of a âWealth Visaâ and is available to applicants who can show that they can financially support their lifestyle while living in the country.
It allows the main applicantâs spouse and their dependent children to join them on a family visa. The main requirement is that they too have enough wealth to support their lifestyle.
Aside from being able to travel in Italy, the holder can travel in Europe without any hassle in the Schengen area. So you can now enjoy your time exploring European cities like Paris, Barcelona or Lisbon.Â
Unlike other visa applications in Italy, thereâs no need to make an investment in the country.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Don’t try to go through the immigration process on your own. Seek the help of an experienced immigration lawyer to increase your chances of success and make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
How to obtain an Elective Residence Visa?
The applicant can apply for this visa from their home country as well as from within Italy. The application must be submitted to the Consulate or Embassy.
The main requirement for the visa is that the holder can show evidence that they can support their lifestyle in Italy. Itâs important to work with a qualified Immigration Lawyer because each Consulate has different requirements for assessing an applicantâs financial position.Â
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In our experience, most Consulates require the funds to be deposited into an Italian bank account and we can assist you with opening a personal bank account in Italy.Â
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Some of the documentation may need to be certified and translated into Italian by a professional. We provide guidance and support here as well as help with choosing healthcare insurance providers in Italy. Itâs not mandatory to purchase private health insurance when moving to the country but itâs highly recommended.
Process of getting the Elective Residence Visa
The general process is as follows:
1. Gather the paperwork
For this step, you need to collect all of the important documents. This includes bank records, criminal record background checks and proof of accommodation, among others. All these documents must be translated into Italian and formally legalized. The translation must be performed by a sworn translator
2. Apply at the Italian Embassy or Consulate
From your home country:
You can file your application at your local Consulate or Embassy with all the paperwork and request an appointment with the immigration officials. It takes up to 90 days to get an answer and you need to return to the Consulate to collect visa. Once you have the visa, you can enter Italy and the permit is valid for a year
3. Move to Italy
Once the application has been approved, you will be granted a visa that will allow you to travel to Italy. The visa is granted for one year and can be renewed for one further year.
Shortly after arriving in Italy, you must declare your presence in Italy to the âQuesturaâ, which is a local police station, and request the âPermesso di Soggiornoâ. Applying for the âPermesso di Soggiornoâ allows foreigners to live in the country for more than 90 days.
You then need to request permanent residence with the Italian town hall called âUfficio Anagrafeâ. After this, you receive a physical document for the âPermesso di Soggiornoâ.
The Italian Golden Visa holder the right to visa-free travel throughout all of Europe’s Schengen area.
What is Proof of Sufficient Income?
The Italian government asks applicants to supply evidence that they can support their lifestyle. Most Consulates ask for a bank certificate. It must show the account bank and must have a date close to when the application was filed.
The applicant will need:
Passive income of at least âŹ31,000 annually for the main applicant
Six months of bank statements
The funds must be held by the name of the main visa applicant
The Italian government also accepts tax declarations and other legal documents as proof.
The funds donât need to be in a local bank. However, every person in Italy should have a local bank account when moving to the country.
What Documents do I need:
Most Elective Residence visa applicants require the following documentation to obtain residence in Italy:
Proof of accommodation in Italy
Private healthcare insurance from a provider that servces Italy. This isnât mandatory but is recommended.
Bank certificate showing proof of sufficient funds
A motivation letter stating the reasons why you want to move to Italy. This isnât the case for all Consulates.
A clean criminal record
A passport
Whatâs the timeline for the Visa?
The timeline differs depending your country of residence but generally follows the below.
Applying From your country residence:
- Understand whatâs needed: one day
- Collect and prepare the documents: one to two weeks
- File the request: one day
- Decision for the request: 90 days
- If approved, download and file the âNulla Ostaâ: one day
- Schedule Consulate Visa Appointment: 25 to 45 days
- Receive Visa to enter Italy, which is valid for one year
Obtaining Reidence Permit in Italy:
- Declare your presence to the local Italian Police, or Questura: Within eight days of arriving.
- Request the âPermesso di Soggiornoâ: Within eight days of arriving.
- File the âPermesso di Soggiornoâ with the Italian Town Hall, or âUfficio Anagrafeâ: One day
- Issued with a physical âPermesso di Soggiornoâ card.
OUR WORK
We are a department formed by qualified legal experts who have been trained in the field of immigration law. We work on these residency permit requests every day. It’s our passion.Â
For us, Lexidy is a way of life and what excites us the most is to be able to deliver the happiness and satisfaction of a successful immigration process. We want to help you achieve your goals and dreams, whether it’s residence in Spain or simply an investment.
Laura Fusté
Head of Immigration Department
David Planes
Lawyer
Cristina Negro Vizoso
Lawyer
MĂłnica Isern LĂłpez
Associate - Lawyer Immigration Department
Maximiliano Agazzi Paulet
Lawyer
Gabriela Baly
Lawyer
Francesca Coluccio
Trainee
Luisa Rivera
Trainee
Paola Cavalleri
ParalegalIS TO MAKE CLIENTS HAPPY
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as you provide proof that your family members are economically dependent on you and that you possess sufficient means of maintaining your family members in Italy with you for the entire duration of the Visa.
No, the Elective Residence Visa does not allow the applicant to work in Italy. Although, once the applicant is in possession of his âpermesso di soggiornoâ, he can convert it to a subordinate work permit, whether the requirements for the last ones subsist.
Yes, in order to maintain the residence permit for Elective Residence you must register your residence before the Ufficio Anagrafe of your city town hall, and you can not leave Italy for more than six months at a time.
Italy does not consider any proof of income coming from freelance or self-employed work. The applicant must prove to own substantial and stable private income originating from pensions, annuities, income from properties or investments funds, and income from stable economic and commercial activities.
No, Italy does not have a Visa program for those who buy Real Estate in the territory. The applicant has a registered lease contract or a registered deed to apply for the visa though.
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