A supplemental article to the Italy Answered podcast, focusing on Italy’s Golden Visa and investment pathways, while also exploring professional visas, elective residence, healthcare access, and long-term life in Italy.
Italy’s Golden Visa is often presented as a straightforward residency-by-investment option, yet it is frequently misunderstood. Many people confuse it with citizenship-by-investment programs offered elsewhere, even though Italy follows a very different legal framework.
In this conversation, Italian immigration attorney Marco Bersani, explains how Italy’s Golden Visa actually works and who it is designed for. As the discussion unfolds, he also addresses residency options for professionals working abroad, elective residence for retirees, access to Italy’s healthcare system, and recent developments affecting citizenship by descent.
Can you share your background and what led you to focus on Italian immigration law?
I’m originally from northern Italy, and my law firm is based in Verona. My background has always been international, and from early on I worked with clients outside Italy. Over time, more and more people began reaching out because they wanted to move to Italy, invest here, or understand whether they had a real path to residency or citizenship.
What I noticed very quickly was how much confusion there is around Italian immigration law. Many clients come in with information they’ve found online or assumptions based on how other countries work. Italy doesn’t operate like Portugal or Spain, and that gap between expectation and reality is where people often get stuck.
That’s really what pushed me to focus almost entirely on immigration law. Today, my firm works daily with international clients on visas, residency permits, and citizenship applications. The goal is always to explain clearly what is actually possible under Italian law and help people avoid mistakes before they happen.
Many people use the term “Golden Visa” loosely. What does Italy’s Golden Visa actually offer?
The first thing I always clarify is that Italy does not offer citizenship by investment. Italy offers a residency-by-investment program, commonly called the Golden Visa or investor visa.
With this program, a non-EU national can obtain legal residency in Italy by making a qualifying investment. Residency can eventually lead to citizenship, but only after meeting strict requirements, including long-term residence. Investment alone does not grant Italian citizenship.
Italy’s system is different because it focuses on economic contribution, not on selling passports. The Golden Visa gives you residency rights, not nationality.
What types of investments qualify under Italy’s Golden Visa?
Under current law, there are four qualifying investment options:
- Investment in an Italian company
- Investment in an innovative startup
- Investment in Italian government bonds
- A philanthropic donation to approved Italian institutions
One of the biggest misconceptions is real estate. Buying property in Italy does not qualify for the Golden Visa. This idea comes up often, but it is not part of the law today.
Each option has a minimum threshold. The lowest is €250,000 for an innovative startup. Investment in an Italian company requires €500,000, while government bonds require €2 million.
Most of my clients choose to invest in Italian companies. That allows for proper due diligence and financial transparency. Startup investments can work, but they carry more risk. Government bonds appeal to clients who prioritize stability.
Watch Marco’s video “Italian Golden Visa: The REAL Processing Time”.
Is residency the only path to citizenship for those without Italian ancestry?
Yes. For individuals without Italian ancestry, residency is the only legal path to citizenship.
After ten years of legal residence in Italy, a person can apply for citizenship by naturalization. This process is completely separate from citizenship by descent, which is based on family lineage and does not require residency in Italy.
People often confuse these two paths. Citizenship by descent depends on ancestry. Residency-based citizenship depends on time, continuity, and compliance with Italian law.
How does Italy’s flat tax regime factor into residency planning?
The flat tax regime often comes up when people are considering relocating to Italy. It allows certain individuals who become Italian tax residents to pay a fixed annual tax on foreign-sourced income.
At the moment, that amount is €200,000 per year, although there has been discussion about increasing it. This option is designed for high-net-worth individuals with significant income abroad who want predictability.
It’s not automatic and it doesn’t work for everyone. Immigration and taxation are separate issues, but they are closely connected, which is why planning should always be coordinated.
What options exist for professionals working abroad who want to move to Italy?
Many professionals assume that if they are not investors, their only option is the Digital Nomad Visa. That’s not always true.
Italy looks closely at where income comes from, not just how much someone earns. The Digital Nomad Visa applies mainly to freelancers and remote employees. Freelancers must show professional experience and financial stability. Employees must show that their employer allows remote work from Italy.
Applications are evaluated case by case. Authorities want to see that the applicant can support themselves and that their professional activity fits within the legal framework. For regulated professions, additional approvals may be required.
The Elective Residence Visa is often called a retirement visa. Is that accurate?
Not really. That label is misleading.
The Elective Residence Visa is based on passive income, not age. That income can come from pensions, investments, rental properties, dividends, or other non-employment sources. What matters is stability and continuity.
Employment in Italy is not allowed under this visa. That’s a critical point. Many people assume they can apply first and decide later whether to work. That’s not how it works, and applications are reviewed carefully.
For retirees and others with sufficient passive income, the Elective Residence Visa can be an excellent long-term solution when structured correctly.
Healthcare often comes up as a concern. How does it work for new residents?
Healthcare is one of the biggest surprises for many clients.
Once someone becomes a legal resident in Italy, they gain access to the public healthcare system. During the initial visa phase, private insurance is required. After registration, residents can enroll in Italy’s national healthcare system.
For Americans especially, this is a major shift. Italy’s healthcare system consistently ranks among the best globally and does not come with the same financial burden people are used to elsewhere. It’s an important lifestyle factor that shouldn’t be overlooked.
What’s the current situation with citizenship by descent?
Citizenship by descent remains a valid pathway, but it has become more complex.
An emergency decree introduced in mid-2025 created confusion by imposing new restrictions. Courts have already begun pushing back, recognizing that individuals born before those changes already held citizenship rights at birth.
Several local court decisions support this view, and a ruling from Italy’s Constitutional Court is expected in 2026. I’m cautiously optimistic and generally advise eligible individuals not to delay applications.
Marco discusses How to Secure an Italian Consulate Appointment in Miami on his YouTube channel.
Choosing the Right Legal Path to Italy
Italy offers multiple legal pathways for investors, professionals, retirees, and families. The Golden Visa is one option, but it is not the right solution for everyone. Digital nomad visas, elective residence, and citizenship by descent each serve different profiles.
This article follows the natural flow of the conversation, but many topics are explored in greater detail in the full Italy Answered podcast episode. Readers looking for deeper explanations, examples, and case-specific considerations are encouraged to listen to the complete interview.
Bersani Law Firm
Website: mbersanilaw.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@lawfirmbersani
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bersanilawfirm/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/p/Bersani-Law-Firm-100068648011950/
