Residence permits, work permits, EU Blue Cards, citizenship applications and visa advice for foreigners.
Filter by specialisation
Global law firm with Milan office, comprehensive legal services for international clients
Global firm with extensive Milan office serving multinationals
Boutique firm specializing in immigration and expat legal services
Specializes in expat legal services and immigration law
Milan-based firm with criminal and corporate practice
International firm specializing in immigration and expat services
Rome specialist in immigration and expat legal matters
Milan firm serving expat and corporate clients
Bologna immigration specialists - elective residency visas for foreign nationals
Verona corporate and immigration specialists, English website
Immigration specialists including elective residency visas
Catania criminal and immigration specialists
Padua tax and corporate specialists
Perugia multi-practice with real estate focus
Cagliari Sardinia multi-practice firm
South Italy corporate and real estate
Messina Sicily multi-practice specialist
Bergamo Lombardy corporate and immigration
Rome immigration and elective residency visa specialists
Milan immigration and residence visa specialists
Florence immigration and elective residency for expats
Rome investor visa and business immigration specialists
Some countries offer residence permits linked to property investment (Golden Visa). An immigration lawyer can advise on thresholds and eligibility.
Processing times vary by country — typically 1–6 months. Your lawyer can track the application and respond to any requests for additional documentation.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Italy's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsPermit types, fees, timelines and legal basis under D.Lgs. 286/1998 (Testo Unico Immigrazione) and DL 50/2017 (Investor Visa).
| Permit Type | Legal Basis | Duration | Key Requirement | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permesso di soggiorno — lavoro subordinato (employee) | D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 5; DPR 394/1999 | 1–2 years | Employment contract + nulla osta from Sportello Unico Immigrazione | €73.50 + €30.46 postal + €16 stamps |
| Permesso — lavoro autonomo (self-employed) | D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 26 | 2 years | Professional qualification or business plan + nulla osta | €73.50 + postal + stamps |
| Visto per lavoratori digitali / Digital Nomad | DL PNRR 2022 + Min. Interno Circ. 2023 | 1 year (renewable) | Remote employment/freelance contract, €28k min income, health insurance | €116 national visa + €73.50 permesso |
| Permesso — motivi familiari (family reunification) | D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 29 | As sponsor's permit | Sponsor permesso, income threshold (€6,085/yr for 1 dependent), housing | €73.50 per member |
| Carta di soggiorno (5-year long-term residence) | D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 9 | 5 years (renewable) | 5 years legal residence, stable income, Italian A2 language level | €73.50 |
| Visto D per studio | D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 39; DM 2013 | 1 year (annual renewal) | Enrolment in Italian recognised university/school | €73.50 + postal |
| Investor Visa for Italy | DL 50/2017; Circolare MEF 2017 | 2 years (renewable 3yr) | €500k–€2M investment (see below) | €116 visa + standard permesso |
| Route | Minimum Investment | Hold Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMI innovativa (innovative startup) | €500,000 | 2+ years | Startup registered in sezione speciale Registro Imprese; shares in company |
| Italian company (limited shares) | €1,000,000 | 2+ years | Shares in any Italian company (SRL, SPA); not real estate |
| Italian government bonds (BTP) | €2,000,000 | 2+ years | Held through Italian bank/intermediary; BTP maturity ≥ 2 years |
| Philanthropy / public interest | €1,000,000 | Donation (irrevocable) | Cultural, scientific, artistic or public interest recipients only |
Application process: Apply online via Investor Visa for Italy portal → Comitato Agevolazioni issues nulla osta within 30 days → apply for D visa at Italian consulate abroad → enter Italy → apply for permesso di soggiorno at Questura within 8 days. Family members (spouse, minor children) eligible for same permit. No real estate route (unlike Spain/Portugal Golden Visa).
| Regime | Benefit | Duration | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impatriati — standard (new tax residents) | 50% IRPEF exemption on employment/self-employment income | 5 years (renewable 5 more if minor children or property purchase) | Art. 5 D.Lgs. 209/2023 (from 2024); replaced old art. 16 D.Lgs. 147/2015 |
| Impatriati — with children / property | 50% IRPEF exemption extended + additional 10 years | 10 years total | D.Lgs. 209/2023 art. 5(5) |
| Pensionati al Sud (foreign pensioners, South Italy) | 7% flat tax on foreign-source income | 10 years | L. 145/2018 art. 1(273-275); comune <20k inhabitants in South |
| Regime forfettario (self-employed, <€85k revenue) | 15% flat tax (5% first 5 years); no IVA; no IRAP | Ongoing while qualifying | L. 190/2014 artt. 54-89 |
Sources: D.Lgs. 286/1998 (Testo Unico Immigrazione); DPR 394/1999 (Regolamento Attuativo); DL 50/2017 (Investor Visa); D.Lgs. 209/2023 art. 5 (impatriati — in force from 1 January 2024); L. 145/2018 (pensionati al Sud); L. 190/2014 (forfettario).
