Italian Retirement Visa
How to Retire to Italy with the Elective Residence Visa
The Italian retirement visa is one of the most popular options for non-EU citizens who want to spend their retirement years in Europe.
Italy, often called the Bel Paese or “beautiful country,” is known for its scenic landscapes, mild Mediterranean climate, historic cities, and world-famous food and wine. These qualities have made Italy a long-standing favorite for retirees seeking a relaxed and culturally rich lifestyle abroad.
While Italy offers several visas for work and study, retirees and financially independent individuals typically rely on the Elective Residence Visa Italy provides.
This visa allows long-term residence without employment, making it ideal for retirees with stable passive income.
What Is the Elective Residence Visa in Italy?
The Elective Residence Visa, often referred to as the Italy retirement visa, is designed for individuals who can financially support themselves without working in Italy. Despite the common name, it is not limited to retirees only. Any adult with sufficient independent income may apply.
This visa is intended for permanent relocation rather than extended tourism. It strictly does not permit employment in Italy, but it does allow the holder to purchase and own one or more properties. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and there is no upper age limit.
Applications must be submitted through the Italian consulate responsible for the applicant’s place of residence. The process cannot be started from within Italy.
Requirements for the Italian Retirement Visa
Although exact procedures may vary slightly between consulates, applicants for the Italian retirement visa are generally required to submit the following:
Official documentation from banks or financial institutions proving substantial and stable passive income from pensions, property rentals, investments, or similar sources
Tax returns from the previous two years
A personal letter explaining the intention to relocate permanently to Italy
A valid passport
A completed and signed visa application form
Proof of accommodation in Italy, such as a registered lease or property deed
Income from salaried or subordinate employment is not considered eligible. The required passive income threshold for one individual is at least €2,596.60 per month. When applying with a spouse, each applicant must pay a separate visa fee and meet documentation requirements.
Applicants must also provide certified copies of birth certificates and, if applicable, marriage certificates. The Elective Residence Visa Italy offers can also extend to minor children and dependent adult children, provided sufficient financial resources are demonstrated.
Because this is one of Italy’s most strictly regulated visas, consular officers conduct detailed reviews. Processing times typically reach up to three months.
Validity, Residence Permit, and Long-Term Status
The Italian retirement visa is issued for one year. It is available only to non-EU citizens, as EU nationals benefit from freedom of movement and do not require a visa to live in Italy.
After entering Italy, visa holders must apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the local Questura within eight days. The permit is renewed annually, provided the applicant continues to meet all requirements.
After five years of legal residence, holders may apply for permanent residency. After ten years, they may be eligible to apply for Italian citizenship by residency.
Alternative Long-Stay Visas for Italy
In addition to the Italy retirement visa, another popular option for non-EU nationals is the Investor Visa, also known as the Italian Golden Visa, introduced in 2016. This visa allows investors to live in Italy for an initial two-year period by making a qualifying investment in the Italian economy.
Approved investment options include:
€250,000 invested in an Italian innovative startup
€500,000 invested in an Italian limited company
€1,000,000 donated to a philanthropic initiative
€2,000,000 invested in Italian government bonds
Applicants must prove the lawful origin of funds and demonstrate the absence of criminal convictions or pending charges. Applications are submitted through the Italian Ministry of Economic Development’s platform. The review committee has 30 days to evaluate applications. Once approved, applicants have six months to apply for the visa at their local consulate. The visa can later be renewed for an additional three years.
Best Places to Retire in Italy and Cost of Living
Retirees relocating under the Italian retirement visa often gravitate toward certain regions. Popular destinations include Sicily, Apulia, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Lazio, and Lombardy.
On average, a couple renting a property may spend between €1,200 and €1,500 per month. In mid-sized cities, rent for a couple can average around €550 per month, while major cities such as Milan, Rome, Bologna, and Florence may add approximately €400 to monthly expenses.
Utility bills typically range from €150 to €200 per month, with higher costs in winter. Food, transportation, and leisure activities may add another €300 per month. Overall, living costs tend to be higher in northern Italy than in southern regions.
Each region offers a distinct lifestyle. Apulia and Sicily are known for beaches and coastal living, Abruzzo appeals to mountain lovers, and Tuscany is famous for wine, cuisine, art, and cultural heritage.
Once the consulate has all the information needed, they are then forwarded to the Ministry of Interior consulate to process.
Final Thoughts on Retiring to Italy
Italy offers a wide range of options for non-EU citizens who wish to stay longer than 90 days. The Elective Residence Visa remains the most popular solution for retirees, but other visas such as work, study, family reunification, and self-employment may apply depending on individual circumstances.
Those with Italian ancestry or who are married to an Italian citizen may qualify for faster routes to residency or citizenship.
If you are considering retiring to Italy, applying for an Italy retirement visa, or exploring Italian citizenship options, you can contact Italian Dual Citizenship (IDC) at info@italiandualcitizenship.net. Our team will be happy to guide you through the process.
Application Approval and Oath
If a consulate grants an applicant’s request for Italian citizenship through marriage (Jure Matrimonii), civil union or ancestor, the message is sent via a message on the Web Portal. The message informs applicants of a citizenship ceremony, which makes occur six months from the date the applicant was granted citizenship. You are not required to have been married in an Italian church or Vatican City to apply for citizenship.
The couple (the Italian spouse and now-recognized Italian citizen) must be present at the ceremony, and sign an affidavit that confirming they are still legally married and there have been no requests for an annulment, separation or divorce.
The Consul General of Italy (or acting representative) will read the verbale di giuramento statement at the ceremony. After which, the applicant will need to take an Oath of Allegiance by saying the following words, “GIURO DI ESSERE FEDELE ALLA REPUBBLICA ITALIANA ED AL SUO CAPO E DI OSSERVARE LEALMENTE LA COSTITUZIONE E LE LEGGI DELLO STATO”.
Pre-1983 Marriage Of Women Married To Italian Men
A foreign woman attained automatic Italian citizen on the date of her marriage to an Italian man so long as the marriage happened before April 26, 1983. If this applies to you, you can contact us and we can identify if you would qualify and advise you of the process to obtain Italian citizenship. The citizenship may still be granted even if your Italian spouse has died or you are no longer married but was deemed valid on April 26, 1983.
The following documents will be needed:
- Original and copy of USA passport
- Consular fees €300 – be sure to check your local consulate’s website for the USD amount (exchange rate changes every three months)
- Proof of residency of the consular authority
- Marriage certificate, which has been translated into Italian and Apostille-legalized
- Applicant’s birth certificate that was Apostille legalized and Italian translated
The automatic Italian citizenship after marriage (Law no. 123) ended on April 27, 1983. After this date, foreign persons – be it man or woman – are treated equally. They do not receive automatic Italian citizenship when they marry an Italian resident. If you are unsure if you qualify for Italian citizenship by marriage or civil union we offer a phone consultation free of charge.
