Italy Elective Residence visa requirements
Italy's retirement route for non-EU citizens, the Elective Residence visa, asks for about €31,000 a year in passive income per person, such as a pension, and a home in Italy.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Italy's official sources on Oct 7, 2026.
- Minimum income
- €31,000/year (about $34,650) Passive income after tax per person, from pensions, annuities, property rental or a stable business; income from employment or self-employment does not count. Decree 850/2011; Consulate in Vancouver; Consulate in New York; Consulate in Paris. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Residency
- One-year permit, renewed yearly Decree 850/2011; Consulate in Vancouver; Consulate in New York; Consulate in Paris. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Government fees
- €116 (about $130) National visa fee. Consulate in Paris. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
- Lawyer
- Not required Consulate in San Francisco; Consulate in New York. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Who qualifies for the Elective Residence visa
Retirees from outside the EU move to Italy on the Elective Residence visa (residenza elettiva): a national visa for people who live on stable passive income, such as a pension, annuity or rent, and do not work in Italy. Savings or a bank balance on their own do not qualify; the consulate looks at income that will keep coming.
You need €31,000 (about $34,650) a year: passive income after tax per person, from pensions, annuities, property rental or a stable business; income from employment or self-employment does not count.
The visa does not allow any work in Italy.
The law sets the floor at three times the yearly amount in the Interior Ministry's 2000 table of means and leaves the rest to the consulate; the Paris consulate calls about €31,000 a starting point, not the only test.
Lines of credit do not count, and the focus is on passive income rather than bank balances.
Consulates may take up to 90 days to decide, and processing cannot be sped up.
Elective Residence visa documents
Every residence permit
- Residence permit application form, filed at the Questura (provincial police) within 8 working days of arrival
- Passport with the entry visa, plus a photocopy
- 4 identical recent passport photos
- Payment of the residence permit contribution
Polizia di Stato. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
This visa
- National (long-stay) visa application form, signed in person at the consulate
- Lease of at least one year registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate, or a property deed, in your own name; a hotel stay or a friend's hospitality is refused
- Proof of passive income: letters from banks, pension funds or Social Security, and the last 2 years of tax returns
- Bank statements for the last three months showing the income arriving
- Criminal background check (the San Francisco consulate asks for an FBI check issued within six months)
- Letter explaining why you are moving to Italy and where you will live
- Health insurance valid in Italy for the stay, covering hospitalisation and repatriation
- One-way flight reservation to Italy
Consulate in San Francisco; Consulate in New York; Consulate in Paris; Consulate in Los Angeles. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Each consulate publishes its own list and may ask for more documents; apply to the consulate for the place where you live. Ask your lawyer whether a document must also be translated.
Elective Residence visa fees
| National visa fee, paid to the consulate (US consulates charge it in dollars, adjusted every three months) | €116 (about $130) |
| Residence permit contribution for a permit of over three months and up to one year | €40 (about $40) |
Consulate in Paris; Polizia di Stato. Checked Oct 7, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Secure a home in ItalyA lease of at least a year, registered with the tax office, or a deed in your name.
- Gather proof of incomePension and bank letters, tax returns, recent statements, insurance and a background check.
- Apply at your consulateIn person, at the consulate for where you live; processing takes up to 90 days.
- Apply for the permitWithin 8 working days of arriving, at the Questura of your province.
- Renew each yearThe Questura checks every year that you still meet the requirements.
Spouses and children
A cohabiting spouse, minor children and dependent adult children living with you can get the same visa if your means cover them too. The Vancouver consulate asks for at least 20% more income for a spouse and 5% more for each child; the New York consulate says each applicant typically needs around €31,000.
Decree 850/2011; Consulate in Vancouver; Consulate in New York. Checked Oct 7, 2026.
Elective Residence visa questions
How much income do I need to retire in Italy?
The consulates assess about €31,000 a year per person after tax, from passive sources such as a pension, annuity or rent. The Vancouver consulate asks for at least 20% more for a spouse and 5% more for each child; the New York consulate says each applicant typically needs around €31,000.
Do savings count?
Not on their own. The law asks for ample, stable and regular resources expected to continue, and the Vancouver consulate says the focus is on passive income rather than bank balances; lines of credit do not count.
Can I work on an Elective Residence visa?
No. The visa is for people who support themselves without working in Italy, and income from employment or self-employment does not count toward the amount.
Do I need a home before I apply?
Yes. You need a lease of at least a year registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate, or a deed, in your own name. A hotel booking or a stay with friends is refused.
