Dolce Visa Italy 2026: Conditions, Requirements, and Investment

Italy’s Dolce Visa in 2026 offers a residence permit through an investment starting from €250,000. Find out about the programme’s conditions, requirements, and benefits for investors and their families

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Italy's "golden visa," known as the Dolce Visa or Italy Investor Visa, remains one of the most accessible routes to EU residency in exchange for investment. The program has run since 2017 with no annual quotas, so applications can be submitted at any time.

The key difference between the Italian program and its counterparts in Portugal or Greece is that investors commit funds only after their application is pre-approved (Nulla Osta), not before. This removes the financial risk during the review stage.

Here's what conditions apply in 2026 and what to know before applying.

Find out how much it costs to live in Italy in 2026 here.

Moving to a new country is an exciting experience, but it's also a major step that usually involves a lot of paperwork. Temporary or permanent residence permits and citizenship are three distinct immigration statuses, each with its own features, requirements, and application process. Every country has its own rules, and figuring them out on your own isn't easy. To save time searching for scattered information, use a ready-made solution from the Visit World team. Find out which documents you need for a residence permit or citizenship in any country in the "Immigration Guide".

How much does the Dolce Visa investment cost?

Minimum investment thresholds remain unchanged in 2026 compared to previous years – no new reductions have been adopted so far. Applicants can choose from four options:

- innovative startups – from €250,000;

- assets of Italian companies – from €500,000;

- socially significant projects (non-refundable charitable contribution) – from €1,000,000;

- government bonds – from €2,000,000.

Worth noting: direct investment in real estate is still not a qualifying option under the program – simply buying property in Italy does not grant the right to a residence permit, although this was previously considered as a possible change.

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Who is eligible to apply for the investor visa?

Applicants for the Dolce Visa must be at least 18 years old, have no criminal record, and be able to document the legal origin of their funds. Health insurance is also mandatory when submitting documents.

A spouse and children under 18 can obtain a residence permit together with the investor. Parents can be included in the application regardless of age if they have no other children in their home country, or after age 65 if their health prevents them from living independently. Children over 18 can only be added if they are certified as unable to support themselves and fully dependent on the applicant.

Spain's golden visa has been cancelled: what legalization options are available in 2026, read here.

Permit validity and the path to citizenship

Investors receive a residence permit for 2 years, renewable, with no minimum physical presence requirement in the country – you're free to travel outside Italy as long as you don't stay away for more than 365 days in a row. This is one reason the program is often chosen by those who don't plan to relocate immediately.

Processing usually takes 3 to 6 months. After 5 years of continuous residence, an investor can apply for permanent residence, and naturalization for citizenship is possible after roughly 10 years of legal residence in the country. Italy recognizes dual citizenship.

Conditions of the "Greece Golden Visa" program for 2026 in our previous article.

Tax regime for new residents

One of the program's key advantages is access to a special preferential tax regime for foreign income. As of January 1, 2026, the substitute tax on foreign income for new tax residents rose to €300,000 per year (previously €100,000, then €200,000), plus €50,000 for each included family member. In other words, the program has become more expensive specifically in terms of taxation, while the investment thresholds themselves remain unchanged.

Advantages of the Dolce Visa for investors

Among the main benefits of a residence permit by investment are visa-free access to the entire Schengen area, free healthcare and education at public institutions, and the prospect of obtaining EU citizenship. The investor's family is included in the application with no additional investment requirements.

It's worth noting that since July 2023, participation in the program has been suspended for citizens of russia and belarus, including dual nationals holding either passport, in line with an EU recommendation.

Find a list of countries you can relocate to with your whole family here.

If you're considering moving to Italy under the Dolce Visa program, it's important to understand not only the investment terms but also the full legalization process – from submitting the Nulla Osta to obtaining a permanent residence permit. Each stage has its own document requirements, processing timelines, and nuances for the investor's family members.

Visit World's "Immigration Guide" walks you step by step through obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit or citizenship in Italy and other countries around the world. It includes contact details for the authority responsible for citizenship matters, a full list of required documents, processing costs and timelines, and practical tips to make the process easier. All information arrives by email in PDF format within just a few minutes. Find out the exact list of documents for your situation in the "Immigration Guide" now.

A reminder! Golden visas remain one of the fastest paths to residency in Europe in 2026. We've already covered which countries still offer investment programs, how much they cost, and what conditions you need to meet.

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