With the help of our immigration lawyers in Italy, foreigners can benefit from complete services related to moving to this country. With a vast experience in immigration matters, our Italian lawyers can offer the necessary support to those interested in relocating to Italy for various reasons.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Yes (with certain exemptions – some third party nationals do not need a visa if they arrive in Italy for tourism purposes of maximum 90 days; for stays longer than this, the visa is imposed for all non-EU nationals) |
Types of visas available | – a visa (transit visa), – C visa (Schenen visa, issued for stays of maximum 90 days), – D visa (long-term visa) * the C and D visas can be issued as single entry or multiple entry visas for the purposes of family reunification, work, studies, medical treatment, elective residence, self-employment, busienss, investment, etc.
|
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | It depends on the visa: – for short-term visa – approximately 15 days; – for long-term visas – 30 days (the maximum is 60 days) |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | It depends on the purpose of stay (min. 6 months – max. 2 years) |
| Temporary residence permit renewal requirements | – the valid passport, – documents attesting the purpose of stay, – the documents used for the visa application, – proof of paying the processing fee |
| Documents for obtaining a residence permit | – the valid passport, – the completed application form, – the payment of the fee, – recent passport size photos, – the visa, – other supporting documents regarding the purpose of stay |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence (approx.) | After 5 years of staying in Italy (the application can be processed in 4-6 weeks) |
| Investor Visa availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | Yes (it depends on the visa) |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 10 years (through naturalization) |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) | – citizenship by investment – not applicable, – residency by investment – yes |
| Taxation of foreign citizens | Taxed with local taxes only for the income obtained in Italy, by applying the same tax system charged to residents/nationals |
| Tax benefits for expats | – tax benefits for expats retiring to Italy (7% flat tax rate for the first 9 years of residency for foreign retirees located in Southern parts of Italy), – tax benefits for foreign workers for the first 5 years of work in Italy (only 30% of the income is taxed in that period) |
How can your lawyers assist me in starting immigration formalities in Italy?
Our lawyers in Italy can:
- verify the Italian legislation related to your country of residence;
- check the type of visa you are interested in and see if you qualify for it (each visa comes with different requirements);
- obtain firsthand information from specialists at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country and specialists in Italy (our lawyers can assist);
- start preparing the documents you will need to obtain the visa (the passport, first of all);
- prepare for the interview with the authorities (most visa applicants will go through an interview).
What are the main immigration services available for foreigners?
Foreign citizens can rely on the following services offered by our lawyers if they want to immigrate to Italy:
- assistance in obtaining various types of visas for immigrating to Italy;
- consultancy for obtaining Italian citizenshipunder the local legislation;
- legal help for applying for residence permits with the Italian authorities;
- assistance in applying for appeals related to immigration to Italy;
- legal advice in applying for work-related permits in Italy;
- guidance in corporate and business immigration to Italy – obtaining golden visa for Italy.
What are the document requirements for obtaining Italian visas?
For any type of relocation to Italy, a foreigner will need to prepare and submit various types of documents, the main being:
- the valid passport (the usual validity period of a passport ranges between 5 and 10 years);
- the reason for which they enter Italy (supporting documents, such as invitations and official letters);
- recent photographs;
- a valid insurance policy;
- foreigners may also need to prove that they are self-sufficient, meaning they have enough money to support themselves during their stay.
What type of fees should I expect to pay for my relocation to Italy?
It depends on your circumstances (the reason of arrival, the duration, etc.). Italian authorities can also charge fees for:
- the issuance of a residence permit;
- citizenship applications;
- obtaining a passport;
- renewal of immigration documents, etc.
- legal fees associated with legally representing you.
What is the purpose of a permesso di soggiorno in Italy?
This document, which is theItalian residency permit, allows third-country nationals to legally live and/or work in Italy. Moreover, it guarantees the right to travel to other EU countries without being required to apply for additional visas. We have also prepared a scheme showing the main ways of immigrating to Italy.
Can I obtain residency in Italy just by investing?
Yes, in 2017, the Italian government created a program through which foreign citizens who want to relocate to Italy can apply for a residence permit by investment. The conditions for this program are:
- the minimum amount to be invested is 2 million euros in bonds issued by the government, bonds or shares issued by companies;
- investments in innovative startups are also allowed – the minimum amount required is 250,000 euros;
- investments of 1 million euros can be made in cultural projects or activities;
- the investment must be kept for a minimum period of 2 years.
Read more about this program here.
How long does it take to complete various immigration formalities?
The duration of an immigration procedure varies based on its nature, the workload of the Italian immigration institutions, the documents that may be required at a later date, and many others. In general, you should expect the following:
- short-term stay visa – the processing of this document usually takes around 15 days, but delays can appear, of up to 45 days, provided that further documentation is necessary;
- long-term stay visa – the document can be granted in a period of 30 to 120 days since the application has been made (there are different processing formalities based on the nature of the visa – employment, study, family reunification, etc.);
- the Italian golden visa – the shortest period of time is 30 days, but in practice, it can increase to more than 2-3 months;
- obtaining a residency permit – it can take around 60 days, but depending on the workload of the Italian Questura (the police authorities, which issue the document), the residency permit may be issued in more than 3 months;
- obtaining citizenship – it can take at least 2 years to process an application for most applicants (who usually become citizens by naturalization), but it can take less than 1 year for those who apply for citizenship by descent;
- obtaining an Italian passport – the document can be issued in at least 15 days.
We invite you to watch a short video about our immigration services in Italy:
How to immigrate from the USA to Italy
Americans who immigrate to Italy and stay here for more than three months are required to obtain residency. The Italian law does not stipulate any specific requirements for US citizens but rather a common legislation applies to all foreigners looking to relocate.
Americans must obtain a permesso di soggiorno (permit of stay). Within 20 days of receiving the permit to stay, Americans must go to the local Vital Statistics Bureau to apply for residency. The residence permit can be obtained in 1-2 months. If they want to stay more than 12 months in Italy, they will need to sign an “integration agreement” (accordo di integrazione) and accept to achieve specific integration goals.
You can read more on how to relocate to Italy from the US here.
Important: Americans who are already in Italy with an expired visa will need to leave the country, obtain a new visa and then get residency.
For full details on the immigration services available in Italy and for a personal consultation, do not hesitate to contact us anytime.