The Elective Residence Visa — in plain terms
The Elective Residence Visa allows non-EU nationals with sufficient autonomous passive income to establish permanent residence in Italy. Governed by D.M. 850/2011. Work of any kind is not permitted with this visa.
Who it is for
Retirees with foreign pensions, rentiers with investment or property income, those living off dividends or capital gains. Very popular among American, British and South American applicants.
What “passive income” means
Only income from non-work sources: pensions, annuities, rental income, dividends, interest, financial investments, or — following the TAR Lazio rulings of 2024 — substantial liquid capital held in a bank account.
Two stages, managed by the applicant
Like the Digital Nomad Visa: Stage 1 is the visa application at the consulate, Stage 2 is the residence permit within 8 days of arrival. No employer involvement.
At a glance — the numbers that matter
Do you qualify? — four requirements
Non-EU nationality
Available to non-EU nationals. British citizens are eligible post-Brexit.
RequiredAnnual passive income of at least €31,000
Income from non-work sources. In practice €35,000–40,000 is strongly advisable — consulates apply the threshold with discretion. Increases with family members: +20% per spouse, +5% per dependent child.
Required · Non-work sources onlyAccommodation in Italy
Owned or rented property in Italy. Owning a property significantly strengthens the application.
Required · Owned or long-term leaseGenuine intention to reside permanently
The consulate assesses whether the applicant genuinely intends to establish Italy as their primary residence. Ties to Italy considerably strengthen the application.
Assessed by consulate · EssentialThe threshold is a minimum, not a target. Applications at exactly €31,000 without property in Italy are frequently refused. We help applicants structure documentation to maximise approval prospects.
Three tax regimes for new Italian residents
7% flat tax for retirees in the South
Foreign retirees who transfer residence to a municipality with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants in Southern Italy may opt for a 7% flat tax on all foreign-source income for 10 years (Art. 24-ter TUIR). One of the most competitive regimes in Europe for retirees.
€100,000 flat tax for high earners
New residents who were not Italian tax residents in 9 of the last 10 years may opt for an annual flat tax of €100,000 on all foreign-source income. Ideal for high-net-worth individuals. Mutually exclusive with the 7% retiree regime.