THE ITALIAN RETIREMENT VISA

A retirement visa for Italy is a type of long-stay visa that allows you to live in Italy without working if you have enough funds to support yourself. This visa is also known as an elective residence visa or residenza elettiva.

To apply for a retirement visa for Italy, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a non-EU citizen who wants to permanently relocate to Italy with yourself or your family.

  • You must have a valid passport that will not expire before the visa.

  • You must have a minimum passive income of €31,000 per year if you are applying alone, or €38,000 per year if you are applying with your spouse. For each additional dependent, you need an extra 20% of income. The income can come from pensions, savings, investments, property income or other sources that do not involve working in Italy.

  • You must have health insurance that covers you in Italy for at least €30,000 per year for all medical expenses. You will not be eligible for a public subsidized health plan, so you will need some form of private insurance.

  • You must have a place to live in Italy, either rented or owned.

  • You must fill out an application form and submit it along with your passport, vital records (such as birth or marriage certificates), FBI background check and proof of income and health insurance at the Italian consulate or embassy in your country of residence.

  • You must pay a fee of €116 for the visa application and €14.62 for the electronic residence permit card.

Once you obtain the retirement visa, you can enter Italy and apply for a residence permit within eight days of your arrival at the local police station. The retirement visa and residence permit are valid for one year and can be renewed as long as you meet the requirements.

It is important to keep in mind that the retirement visa and residence permit do not allow you to work in Italy or access public benefits.

If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country seeking to retire in Italy, you do not need to apply for a visa. Your citizenship already grants you the right to live in Italy!