The Elective Residency Visa (Visto per Residenza Elettiva) is Italy’s visa for people who want to live in Italy without working. It is designed for retirees, independently wealthy individuals, and anyone who can demonstrate stable, passive income sufficient to support themselves without employment. For Americans who do not qualify for Italian citizenship by descent but want to make Italy their home, this is often the most straightforward path.
Who It Is For
The Elective Residency Visa is for individuals who can support themselves financially through passive income. This includes retirees living on pensions, Social Security, and investment income. It includes people with rental income, dividends, trust distributions, or other sources of wealth that do not require active employment in Italy. It also includes early retirees, those living on savings and investments, and anyone whose financial situation allows them to live comfortably without working.
The key distinction is between passive and active income. This visa does not permit you to work in Italy, whether as an employee, freelancer, or business operator. If you plan to work remotely or start a business, you need a different visa type (such as the Digital Nomad Visa or a self-employment visa).
Financial Requirements
Italy does not publish a fixed minimum income threshold for the Elective Residency Visa. Instead, each Italian consulate evaluates applications individually based on the applicant’s financial documentation. In practice, consulates expect to see evidence of stable, ongoing income that comfortably exceeds basic living expenses in Italy.
General benchmarks based on recent successful applications suggest a minimum annual income of approximately EUR 31,000 for a single applicant, with additional amounts for dependents (roughly EUR 6,000 to 10,000 per dependent). Some consulates set higher expectations, particularly those handling large volumes of applications. Having significant savings or assets in addition to income strengthens the application considerably.
The income must be genuinely passive. Consulates want to see pension statements, Social Security award letters, investment portfolio statements, rental income documentation, trust distribution records, or similar evidence. Self-employment income generally does not qualify unless you can demonstrate it is truly passive (such as royalties from published works).
Application Process
The application is submitted to the Italian consulate with jurisdiction over your place of residence in the United States. Each consulate may have slightly different procedural requirements, so checking your specific consulate’s website is essential.
Required Documents
The typical document package includes a completed visa application form (available from your consulate’s website), a valid US passport with at least two blank pages and validity extending beyond your planned stay, passport-sized photos meeting Italian specifications, proof of financial resources (bank statements, pension letters, Social Security statements, investment account summaries, tax returns), proof of accommodation in Italy (a rental contract, property deed, or a letter of invitation from someone in Italy with proof of their housing), proof of health insurance coverage valid in Italy (either private international health insurance or evidence of enrollment in the Italian SSN if applicable), and a cover letter explaining your intent to reside in Italy without working.
All documents must be recent (typically within 3 to 6 months). Some consulates require translations into Italian. Some require apostilles on certain documents. Check your consulate’s specific requirements.
Consulate Appointment and Processing
You will need to schedule an appointment at your consulate to submit your application in person. Appointment availability varies by consulate, with some (particularly New York and Los Angeles) having longer wait times.
Processing typically takes 30 to 90 days from submission. The consulate may request additional documents or clarification during review. If approved, you receive a visa sticker in your passport that is valid for one year.
After Arrival in Italy
Once you arrive in Italy on your Elective Residency Visa, you must complete several steps within specific deadlines.
Within 8 working days of arrival, you must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) at the local Questura (police headquarters). This involves submitting a kit available at post offices (Poste Italiane), paying fees, and attending an appointment for fingerprinting and document verification. The Permesso is issued for the same duration as your visa (one year initially).
You should also register with the Anagrafe (civil registry) at your local Comune to establish official residency, obtain your codice fiscale from the Agenzia delle Entrate if you do not already have one, enroll in the SSN (national health service) or arrange private health insurance, and open an Italian bank account.
Renewal
The Permesso di Soggiorno must be renewed before it expires. For Elective Residency holders, renewals are typically straightforward provided your financial situation remains stable and you continue to meet the requirements. After the initial one-year permit, renewals are usually issued for two-year periods.
You must apply for renewal at least 60 days before your permit expires. The renewal process involves demonstrating continued financial means, valid health insurance, and confirmed accommodation in Italy.
Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship
After 5 years of continuous legal residency in Italy on the Elective Residency Visa (and subsequent Permesso renewals), you become eligible to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo, the EU long-term residence permit. This gives you the right to reside in Italy indefinitely and access many of the same rights as Italian citizens.
After 10 years of continuous legal residency, you become eligible to apply for Italian citizenship through naturalization (cittadinanza per residenza). This is a separate and longer process from citizenship by descent, with its own requirements including Italian language proficiency, clean criminal record, and demonstrated tax compliance.
Tax Implications
Becoming a tax resident of Italy has significant implications for Americans. Italy taxes its residents on worldwide income. As a US citizen, you are also subject to US taxation on worldwide income regardless of where you live. The US-Italy Tax Treaty (1999) and foreign tax credits help prevent double taxation, but the interaction between the two systems is complex.
Italy offers a flat tax regime for new residents who have not been Italian tax residents in the previous 9 out of 10 years. Under this regime (introduced by the 2017 Budget Law and modified in subsequent years), qualifying individuals can pay a flat annual tax of EUR 300,000 on all foreign-source income, regardless of amount. Family members can be included for EUR 50,000 each. This can be extremely advantageous for high-net-worth individuals with significant income from non-Italian sources.
Consult a qualified cross-border tax advisor before establishing residency. The Italian tax system interacts with US obligations in ways that require careful planning.
Elective Residency vs. Other Options
If you have Italian ancestry, citizenship by descent is almost always a better option than the Elective Residency Visa. Citizenship gives you an unconditional right to live and work in Italy and throughout the EU, with no visa renewals, no income requirements, and no restrictions on employment. PortaleItaly specializes in helping Americans discover and pursue citizenship by descent.
If you plan to work remotely for a non-Italian employer, the Digital Nomad Visa may be more appropriate. If you plan to start a business or work as a freelancer in Italy, you need a self-employment visa or startup visa instead.
Getting Started
PortaleItaly helps Americans navigate every aspect of relocating to Italy, whether through citizenship recognition, visa applications, or post-arrival settlement. If you think you may qualify for Italian citizenship by descent (which eliminates the need for any visa entirely), we encourage you to explore that option first. Contact us for a free consultation.