If you want to immigrate to Italy from the USA, then you will most likely have to apply for the Italian Elective Residence Visa, which is the most popular way to arrive here especially for retirement purposes. We can also offer detailed informationand legal advice about how to move to Italy from the USA.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa for retirement to Italy | The Elective Residence Visa is the main visa that can be used to retire to Italy from USA. |
Types of rights granted by the retirement visa | – to reside in Italy, – to purchase or to rent a property, – to bring a spouse or any minor/adult dependent children, – to apply for permanent residency after meeting all residency requirements. |
Documents necessary for the visa application | – evidence on the living arrangements in Italy, – evidence of having sufficient financial funds obtained from passive income, – a valid health insurance recognized in Italy, – visa application form completed as needed, – a valid passport, – passport photos, – documents showing the civil status, – a recent police record issued by the authorities of the state where the person is a resident, – proof of payment of the processing fee. |
| Active income allowed (yes/no) | No – one is not allowed to retire to Italy from USA and obtain active income in Italy. |
| Types of passive income allowed by the retirement visa | – pensions, – income from rented properties belonging to the applicant, – dividends, – royalties, – income from various investments, – any other type of income that is not generated through a work activity. |
| Health insurance required (yes/no) | Yes – it is mandatory to have a health insurance as a person who will retire to Italy from USA. |
| Proof of address in Italy (yes/no) | Yes |
| The minimum age for retirement in Italy | Although this is a visa document that can be used by foreign retirees, the minimum age limit is 18 years old. Visa can be used by persons who are still active and who have the necessary financial resources to relocate to a foreign country without the need of developing a work activity. |
| The value of pension in Italy | In 2020, the minimum pension was EUR 515.58 per month, but the minimum value can vary based on the type of pension a person is entitled to. |
| Minimum financial funds required per one year of stay in Italy for foreign retirees | Minimum EUR 31,000 per year for a single applicant. |
| Additional financial requirements for retiring with the spouse (yes/no) | The minimum financial threshold required per year increases based on whether the applicant arrives here alone or with a partner. |
| The minimum income required per year to retire with the spouse | For those applying with their spouses, the minimum value required is EUR 38,000 per year. |
| The minimum price of renting a property in Italy | The minimum value of a rent is EUR 300/ month, but this applies to small and isolated properties. The average rent is around EUR 600-800/ month (for an apartment). |
| The minimum price of buying a property in Italy | – EUR 1, if they respect a set of minimum requirements, including to invest in renovations at least EUR 15,000. – the average price of a property is calculated per square meter, which can be estimated at EUR 1,800 (at a national level), while the lowest value can be approximately EUR 600 per square meter. |
| Legal services offered to foreign retirees | – legal assistance in preparing the visa application file, – assistance in finding a suitable property for renting or buying, – legal representation for signing the rental/purchase agreement, – advice on the steps to follow in order to become permanent residents. |
| Legal obligations upon the arrival in Italy | After the arrival in Italy, Americans who want to retire there, have to initiate the steps for the issuance of a residence permit. |
Validity of the elective residence visa | Persons interested in retiring to Italy from USA under the elective residence visa must know that the document is valid for 1 year (2 years in some cases). |
Renewal of the elective residence visa (yes/no) | Yes |
| Validity of the renewal | 2 years |
| Quota per year | Not applicable |
| Obligations for foreigners renting a property | The procedure on retiring to Italy from USA for those who will rent a property implies having a valid rental contract signed for a period of minimum 1 year. |
| Obligations for residency in Italy for visa holders | They need to be present in Italy for at least half of the time for which their visa was issued (minimum 6 months for 1 year permits or minimum 12 months for 2 years permits). |
| Where to initiate the visa application process | The procedures of retiring to Italy from the USA can be initiated with the assistance of our lawyers, specialized in immigration law. |
| How to apply for a residence permit | Upon arrival, Americans need to obtain a residence permit application kit, on which our immigration lawyers can provide all the necessary assistance. |
| Institution that will issue the residence permit | The police station (the Questura) located in the Italian region/town/city where the American relocated. |
| When can the visa holder apply for permanent residency? | After 5 years of stay in Italy |
| Right to apply for citizenship (yes/no) | Yes |
| Residency requirements for citizenship application | A foreigner can initiate the application for citizenship by naturalization after 5 years of permanent residency (and 10 years of overall stay in Italy). |
| Dual citizenship allowed (yes/no) | Yes |
| Fee for the issuance of an Italian passport | $124.70 (fee established for the period of January -March 2024). |
Table of Contents
What documentation should I have in order to enter the Italian territory in 2026?
The entry in the country can only be made when having a valid (for at least 3 months beyond the date when the American returns from Italy) American passport. If you arrive here for stays of up to 90 days, this document will suffice (visa exemptions are granted only for short-term arrivals).
What is elective residence in Italy?
Elective residency refers to the situation in which a foreigner lives in Italy, but does not obtain direct income from activities related to this country. Instead, the person uses his/ her personal wealth and any other type of passive income, which is not connected to Italy.
Who can qualify for elective residency in Italy?
Elective residency is not available only for seniors. It is also addressed to any other categories of individuals who have the financial means to live here by using their own income obtained from non-Italian sources.
What is the elective residence visa?
The Italian Elective Residence Visa is very popular amongst seniors from countries which are not members of the European Union (EU), due to the fact that it does not grant the right to work in Italy and most seniors will not be interested in developing work related activities here.
What can be considered eligible sources of passive income?
The Italian Elective Residence Visa is a great resource if you want to relocate to Italyfrom the USA, as, while living here, your income can be obtained solely from the following:
- passive income, such as the pension that you are entitled to after working in your home country;
- from shares, bonds and others that you own from participation in various corporate endeavors and so on.
Are there any financial thresholds I should meet as an American citizen in 2026?
Yes, the legislation imposes a minimum financial threshold for foreigners who want to obtain the Elective Residence visa. The threshold is the same regardless of the nationality of the applicant, which means that Americans do not have to comply with certain rules applicable solely to their nationality. In 2026, those who want to immigrate to Italy from the USA must know that following thresholds apply:
- if you will immigrate to Italyby yourself, you must make the proof of having an annual income of at least EUR 31,000;
- the sum increases to EUR 38,000 if you arrive with your spouse;
- if you also have dependent children, the financial requirements increase by 20% for each dependent.
Below, you can watch a video on how to retire to Italy from USA:
Do I need to have health insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have a private, valid health insurance recognized in Italy (as you will not be able to benefit from the public health system). The health insurance must cover medical emergencies and hospitalizations and it needs to be recognized in all Schengen states, not only Italy.
How long can I stay in Italy?
The Elective Residence visa is issued for a period of 1 year.
Can I renew my visa?
Yes, Americans have the right to renew their visa upon expiry. For this, they need to make proof of maintaining the basic conditions under which the visa was issued.
Can I use the Elective Residence visa for long-term/ permanent stays?
The Elective Residence Visa is a suitable immigration documentthat can be issued as follows:
- to persons who want to immigrate to Italy from the USA on a long-term basis;
- to persons who are interested in residing here for a fixed period of time;
- to persons who want to relocate to Italyfrom the USA on an indefinite period.
What documentation should I prepare for the Italian Elective Residence visa?
Below, our immigration lawyers in Italy have drawn up a short presentation on this matter:
- the valid passport and two recent passport-sized photos;
- proof of payment of the application fee, charged for processing the visa application;
- information on the location where the American will relocate to Italy;
- proof of the address in Italy (rental contract, utility bills, property purchase agreement);
- proof of having the necessary financial income, along with bank statements from the bank in America where the applicant has his or her account;
- a criminal background check concluded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Can non-Americans living in the USA apply for the Italian retirement visa?
Currently, it is possible to relocate to Italy from the USA as a non-American living there only if the person holds a valid US Alien Registration Card or a long-term visa.
The infographic below presents information on how Americans can retire to Italy:
How long does it take to obtain the retirement visa?
Because the retirement visa is a long-term visa, the processing of the application takes around 1 month, until the Italian authorities will verify all the documentation (it can take longer in certain cases, about 2-3 months).
What other immigration pathways can I use as an American?
It is possible to immigrate to Italy from the USA following any of the available immigration routes, as long as the applicants meet the standard requirements. The legislation on immigration to Italy allows foreigners to arrive here for:
- business/ investment;
- employment;
- family reunification;
- study, training;
- research;
- humanitarian grounds, etc.
Persons interested in finding out more details on the process of immigration to Italy from the USA are invited to contact usfor legal assistance and advice.