Why are wealthy investors rushing to get Italy's "golden visa" for €500,000 — while the program is still running

Italy remains one of the last European Union states to offer a residence permit program in exchange for investments, despite the general tightening of migration policy in the EU. The so—called "golden visa" attracts the attention of investors from all over the world, but its future remains in doubt, which is why many are rushing to take advantage of the opportunity now.

What is Italy's Golden visa and how does it work

The Italian Golden Visa program allows citizens of non-EU countries to obtain a temporary residence permit for two years (with the possibility of extension) if they are willing to invest in the Italian economy. There are four investment options to choose from:

• €2 million in Italian government bonds;
• €500,000 in shares of an Italian company;
• €250,000 to an innovative startup registered in Italy;
• €1 million to a charity project or foundation acting in the interests of Italian society.

The most popular way is to invest 500,000 euros in an existing Italian company. This provides an opportunity to participate in the country's economy, as well as obtain a residence permit with the possibility of extension and further naturalization.

Advantages of the program

The program has a number of unique advantages:

• Risk-free at the initial stage: investments are made only after prior approval of the application.
• Fast registration: you can get a visa in just 60 days after submitting the documents.
• Opportunity for the whole family: after the investor receives a residence permit, family members can join him — spouse, children, dependents.
• Access to the Schengen area: residents of Italy have the right to move freely in the Schengen countries.

Potential difficulties

Despite the advantages, the program requires a careful approach.:

• The need to obtain an Italian digital signature and open a bank account.
• Bureaucratic difficulties in processing applications, especially for family members.
• Requirements for legal and financial support, which increases overall costs.

Tax changes in 2025

Since the beginning of 2025, a change in tax legislation has come into force in Italy: for foreign residents, the fixed annual tax rate has increased from €100,000 to €200,000. This may reduce the general interest in Italy from investors, especially in comparison with other EU countries that have already canceled similar programs (for example, Ireland and Portugal).

However, despite this, Italy still offers one of the most straightforward and fastest programs for obtaining a residence permit for investments, especially in the segment of the real economy.

Is it worth the rush?

As the European Union continues to put pressure on countries with existing investment programs, analysts do not rule out the closure or serious adjustment of the Italian "golden visa" in the near future. Therefore, wealthy applicants are advised not to delay the decision — the current conditions may change at any time.

Output:

Italy's Golden Visa program is a real opportunity for investors not only to obtain a European residence permit, but also to become part of one of Europe's largest economies. But the window of opportunity is gradually closing, and those who plan to use this scheme should act quickly.