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  • Italy Elective Residency Visa 2026 — Complete Guide

    Residency for retirees/wealthy individuals with stable passive income. €31K+/year. No work allowed.

    Best For

    Retirees with pension income or savings seeking a new home base

    Not Ideal For

    Working-age professionals seeking employment or those without passive income

    Known Issues

    No work allowed, high income requirements, must prove passive income source

    At a Glance

    Visa Duration
    12 months
    Processing Time
    30–90 days
    Min Income
    €31,000/monthly
    Path to PR
    5 years
    Difficulty
    6/10 — Challenging
    Application Fee
    €116

    Eligibility Requirements

    RequirementDetails
    Age Range18+
    Profession RequiredNo
    Job Offer RequiredNo
    Sponsorship RequiredNo
    License / Recognition RequiredNo
    Remote Income AllowedYes
    Business Activity RequiredNo
    Health Insurance RequiredYes
    Proof of Funds RequiredYes
    Can Apply From AbroadYes

    Financial Requirements

    ItemAmount
    Minimum Income€31,000/monthly
    Minimum Savings€50,000
    Application Fee€116
    Est. Total Relocation Cost€55,000

    Family & Rights

    RightDetails
    Family AllowedYes
    Spouse Can WorkNo
    Children AllowedYes
    Remote Work Rightslimited
    RenewableYes
    Time to Permanent Residency5 years
    Time to Citizenship10 years

    Related Pathways

    Cost of Living

    Milan
    Single (monthly)€2,100
    Family (monthly)€4,200
    Rent 1BR (center)€1,200
    Groceries€525
    Transport pass€126
    Rome
    Single (monthly)€1,850
    Family (monthly)€3,800
    Rent 1BR (center)€1,000
    Groceries€462
    Transport pass€111
    Bologna
    Single (monthly)€1,650
    Family (monthly)€3,400
    Rent 1BR (center)€850
    Groceries€412
    Transport pass€99
    Florence
    Single (monthly)€1,587
    Family (monthly)€3,231
    Rent 1BR (center)€603
    Groceries€397
    Transport pass€95

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the Elective Residency Visa?

    Residency for retirees/wealthy individuals with stable passive income. €31K+/year. No work allowed.

    Who is the Elective Residency Visa best for?

    This pathway is best suited for: Retirees with pension income or savings seeking a new home base.

    Who should not apply for the Elective Residency Visa?

    This pathway is not ideal for: Working-age professionals seeking employment or those without passive income.

    What are the financial requirements for the Elective Residency Visa?

    Applicants need minimum income of €31,000/monthly, minimum savings of €50,000. Additional costs may include the application fee and relocation expenses.

    How long does it take to process the Elective Residency Visa?

    Processing typically takes 30 to 90 days. Times may vary based on nationality, completeness of documentation, and current processing volumes.

    Can I bring my family on the Elective Residency Visa?

    Yes, this pathway allows family members including dependents.

    Can the Elective Residency Visa lead to permanent residency or citizenship?

    Yes. Holders of this visa can work toward permanent residency in approximately 5 years and citizenship in approximately 10 years, subject to meeting residence and other conditions.

    What are the known issues with the Elective Residency Visa?

    Known issues and warnings: No work allowed, high income requirements, must prove passive income source. We recommend checking the official source for the latest updates.

    Can I work remotely on the Elective Residency Visa?

    Yes, this pathway allows remote income from outside Italy. Remote work rights: limited.

    Are there alternative pathways to Italy?

    Yes. Italy offers 8 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Italy country page.

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    Official source: https://vfrm.esteri.it/Default.aspx