YOURWAYTOITALY | Elective residence visa and permit

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TAKE THE TEST
TAKE THE TEST
- Find out the best solution for you
  Find out now which visas you can apply for or if you can obtain the Italian citizenship
- Find out the most suitable visa and residence permit for you!
- Find out if you can obtain the Italian citizenship!
About us
Services
Services
- Long term visas and residence permits
  Visas and residence permits for work, investment, family and more
- Citizenship
  Italian citizenship by descent, for marriage and residency
- Short term visas
  Short term business and tourism visas
- Tax, legal & more
  Consultation on legal, tax, social security issues and additional services for EU and non-EU nationals
Blog
Contact us
Contact us
- I AM AN INDIVIDUAL
  Ask us a question and schedule a meeting
- I AM A COMPANY
  Ask us a question and schedule a meeting
FAQ
FAQ
- FAQ - visas and residence permits
  See the most frequently asked question about visas and residence permits!
- FAQ - Citizenship
  See the most frequently asked question about Italian citizenship!
- FAQ - live and work in Italy
  Check out the most common Italian words and definitions that a foreigner who moves to Italy must know!
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Who can apply for an elective residence visa?

Living in Italy

Information updated as of 2026

Non-EU citizens who want to move to Italy and who have sufficient economic resources to mantain themselves without working can apply for an Elective Residence Visa and permit.

By proving the availability of an accommodation in Italy (such as an owned or leased property) and the ownership of a passive, steady and consistent income - such as deriving from pensions, annuities, rents, ownership of shares and participations etc.. - non-EU citizens may apply for an elective residence visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their foreign country of residence and then for a residence permit in Italy of 1 or 2 years.

The residence permit can be renewed as long as the conditions for its issuance are kept, bearing in mind that in no case the holder will be allowed to carry out any kind of work activity.

What are the steps of the process?

The application process entails different steps

- collection of the supporting documents among which those to prove the availability of a steady and passive income, the availability of an accommodation in Italy to elect as place of residence and of an insurance policy to cover the risks of stay in Italy
- visa application at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the foreign country of residence of the applicant
- entrance in Italy with the elective residence visa on the passport
- within 8 days from the entrance, submission of the request of the residence permit via postal kit
- fingerprinting at the local Police station

Contact us to receive full assistance for each and every step of the process to obtain an elective residence visa and permit!

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