The process to obtain permanent residency in Italy is rather long and it is subject to a number of regulations. Among these is that owning a property in Italy does not automatically allow you to reside in the country permanently. Nevertheless, there are different types of visas and residency permits that allow non-European citizens to stay in Italy for a long period of time. Having said this, it will be the aim of the article to provide key information for those of you who are planning on purchasing a property in Italy and wish to enjoy your property without any restrictions or time limitations.
In essence, as already mentioned above, if you buy the house of your dreams in Italy and wish to enjoy your property all year round, you should be aware that owning a property does not entitle you to a visa (although it may facilitate the obtainment of some specific visas). In fact, individuals from non-Schengen countries which are not part of the visa waiver program need a tourist visa; this visa allows you to stay in Italy for a maximum of 90 days. By contrast, if you are an EU citizen you can move freely between EU countries and live, study or work in any of the EU’s member states without the need for a visa.
Therefore, if you are a non-EU national and you plan on living in Italy for a period of time which is longer than 3 months, you should apply for a visa and for a temporary residency permit upon arrival in Italy (within 8 days from your arrival); this can be done at your local police headquarters (“Questura”) in Italy. The residency permit allows you to stay in Italy for a period of time which ranges from 2 to 5 years, and which generally allows you to travel to other Schengen countries for up to 3 months every 6 months. You can apply for a temporary residency permit if you enter Italy with a specific visa, among these are the following:
- Employment and self‐employment Visas
- Elective Residence Visa
- Study or Vocational training Visas
- Family Reunion Visa
If you are a non-EU citizen who has resided in Italy without interruptions for 5 years, you can apply for a permanent residency permit after 5 years. In order to obtain this residency permit, you need to show evidence that you have lived in Italy for 5 years without any interruption, that you have a legal address in the country, a set income, and that you have no criminal records.
Although the ownership of a property in Italy does not entitle you to a residency permit, it can certainly help to obtain an Elective Residence Visa, which is rather popular. This type of visa is especially designed for foreigners who have enough financial resources to support themselves without relying on employment while they are staying in Italy. One of the requirements to apply for the Elective Residence Visa is owning a property or renting one. However, as many landlords are reluctant to rent properties to people who do not hold a visa, if you own a property in Italy you have a great advantage. Once you obtain an elective residency visa through your local Italian consulate, you will be granted the related residency permit upon arrival in Italy. This permit is generally valid for one year only, but it can be renewed every year provided that you still meet the requirements at the time of the renewal.
In conclusion, if you are a non-EU citizen and you purchase a property in Italy, you can stay in Italy for a limited period of time unless you hold a special visa that allows you to apply for a temporary residency permit and thus stay in the country for a longer period of time. Finally, after 5 years of uninterrupted residency in Italy, you can apply for a permanent residency permit. It is also worth pointing out that if you have Italian ancestry and wish to apply for Italian citizenship, when you will be recognized as an Italian citizen you will be issued an Italian passport and you will be able to stay in Italy without any restrictions or time limitations.
If you are planning on moving to Italy and you need information or help with the bureaucratic intricacies of purchasing a property, do not hesitate to contact us at info@italianrealestatelawyers.com . We will be more than happy to assist you.
FAQs
Can I get residency in Italy if I buy a house? Purchasing real estate in Italy does not entitle foreign citizens to a residence permit in the country. But you can choose other investment options via the Italy Investor Visa program.
Can you get permanent residency in Italy if you buy property? ›
Buying property in Italy does not give owners the right to permesso di soggiorno, an Italian permit to stay. However, owning property can strengthen your application for an Italian elective residency visa if you prove you have stable and sufficient funds to support your stay without employment.
Can you become an Italian citizen by buying property? ›
The period of residence on Italian territory is a requirement, strictly regulated by law, for the approval of the application for citizenship by naturalization. To qualify for Italian citizenship, a foreigner must prove the fact of continuous legal residence on the territory of the state for 10 years.
How do you qualify for residency in Italy? ›
After living in Italy for more than five years with a temporary residence permit, you can apply for an Italian Permanent Residence Permit. This grants you similar rights to Italian citizens, such as being able to live and work in other EU countries without a visa or work permit.
How much do you need to invest in Italy to get residency? ›
How much money must I invest to gain permanent residency in Italy? The Italian Golden Visa – officially the Italian Investor Visa program – requires a minimum investment of €250,000 (about $273,000).
Is it hard to get permanent residency in Italy? ›
To qualify for permanent residence, you must have lived in Italy for at least five consecutive years. You are not allowed to leave the country for a continuous period of more than six months, or a total period of more than 10 months. That said, the requirement can be eased in some cases.
How many years does it take to get permanent residency in Italy? ›
Obtaining Permanent Residency in Italy
After five years of legal stay and provided the eligibility requirements are met, a foreign national can apply for permanent residency i.e. EU residence permit for long-term residents (Permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo), valid indefinitely.
Is it hard for an American to buy property in Italy? ›
Buying a property in Italy as a US citizen or resident shouldn't be too tricky. However, the process won't be exactly the same as buying a place in the US, so you'll need to get local support lined up before you hand over any money or make any commitments.
How long can a US citizen live in Italy? ›
Americans who intend to stay in Italy for less than 90 days don't need to worry about visas. However, if you plan to go for an extended period, you'll have to apply for a long-stay visa. This is a crucial step because you can't apply for an Italian residence permit without this long-stay visa.
Do you need a lawyer to buy a house in Italy? ›
It is not a legal obligation to hire a lawyer when buying a property in Italy. Most Italians purchase a house using only a real estate agent and a notary. When the agent and notary do not speak the language of the buyer, it may be advisable to hire an English-speaking Italian lawyer as well.
You can travel to Italy visa-free for a total of 90 days within a 180 day period. You'll need a visa and a residence permit if you're going to Italy for work, study, family reunification, or a simple visit of more than 90 days.
What is the new update for Italy Immigration 2023? ›
Moreover, Italy has now decided to raise the work permit quota for foreign unskilled workers and startup visa applicants from third countries to 82,705 spots for the year 2023. The quota raise will permit about 7,000 more third-country nationals to apply for Italian work permits this year compared to 2022.
How long can you stay in Italy without being a resident? ›
However, the rules change for any stay in Italy that exceeds 90 days. Most foreign nationals who wish to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, for any reason, must apply for an Italy Long-Stay Visa.
How long can I stay in Italy if I own a property? ›
Long term multi-entry tourist visa for a person investing in Italian real estate. Anyone wishing to make a real estate investment in Italy who does not intend to transfer residence can obtain a long term Schengen visa (5 years), if the requirements of their stay in the country do not exceed 90 days every 6 months.
Is Italy a good real estate investment? ›
Affordable prices and lucrative returns
Italian property prices remain relatively low compared to many other EU destinations, and capital gains tax is not levied on the profits of the properties. Therefore, it is a significant incentive to many investors, allowing them to maximise their return on investment.
Is it worth investing in real estate in Italy? ›
The Italian Real Estate Market Is Reliable And Secure.
The real estate markets in Italy have experienced rising prices on a consistent basis for many years. This means that if you buy an investment property you can be fairly certain that it will appreciate in value.
Can I buy a house in Italy as a non resident? ›
As a general rule, Italian law permits the purchase of real estate by foreigners. However, can be a few exceptions for foreigners coming from “sensitive” countries or countries that do not grant reciprocity rights to Italian citizens, which shall be examined on a case-by-case basis.
Can US citizen buy property in Italy and rent it out? ›
Italy has no restrictions on property ownership for non-residents, and they have the same property rights as Italian citizens. However, certain restrictions may apply to citizens of non-EU countries buying agricultural land.
Can I move to Italy and become a resident? ›
Americans must have an entrance visa which should be obtained at an Italian consulate before coming to Italy, in order to remain in Italy more than three months and gain resident status. This procedure will take several weeks to complete so it is advisable to apply well in advance of the departure date.
Which country is the easiest to get permanent residency in Europe without investment? ›
Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and even Montenegro are the easiest countries to get a permanent residency permit in Europe. The ease of obtaining a permanent residency permit can vary depending on several factors, including the country's immigration policies, requirements, and the applicant's circ*mstances.
The process to obtain permanent residency in Italy is rather long and it is subject to a number of regulations. Among these is that owning a property in Italy does not automatically allow you to reside in the country permanently. Nevertheless, there are different types of visas and residency permits that allow non-European citizens to stay in Italy for a long period of time. Having said this, it will be the aim of the article to provide key information for those of you who are planning on purchasing a property in Italy and wish to enjoy your property without any restrictions or time limitations.
If you are a non-EU citizen who has resided in Italy without interruptions for 5 years, you can apply for a permanent residency permit after 5 years. In order to obtain this residency permit, you need to show evidence that you have lived in Italy for 5 years without any interruption, that you have a legal address in the country, a set income, and that you have no criminal records.