Check here if you need an Elective Residence Visa

The Elective Residence Visa for Italy is a unique long-term visa designed for individuals who wish to live in Italy without employment. Instead of relying on a salary, applicants must demonstrate sufficient income from alternative sources, such as pensions, to support themselves. This visa is particularly suited for retirees who receive a pension and wish to make Italy their home.

Where and how to apply

To apply for the Italian Elective Residence Visa, visit the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. You could schedule an appointment online or by phone. Here you can find the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. Or you can consider an External Services Providers listed here.

Once approved, your visa will be affixed to your passport, allowing you to travel to Italy within the visa’s validity period.Ā 

Documents required

First step, you need to prepare the following:

  • Visa application form;
  • Recent passport-size photograph;
  • Valid travel document with an expiry date at least three months after the requested visa;
  • Documented and detailed guarantees regarding ample and steady economic resources, deriving from incomes (pensions or annuities), real estate ownership, stable economic-commercial activities, or other sources of availability in Italy of suitable accommodation.
    ā€œThese resources, in any case, must not be less thanĀ three times the annual amountĀ provided for in the table A attached to theĀ directive of the Minister of the Interior of 1 March 2000ā€Ā i.e. the minimumĀ subsistence amount according to ISTAT data;
  • Health insurance with a minimum coverage of ā‚¬ 30,000 for emergency hospitalization expenses and repatriation expenses.
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To support your application for the Elective Residence Visa for Italy, you might need to include a motivation letter and, in some cases, provide evidence of a one-way travel ticket reservation. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Motivation Letter: Write a detailed letter explaining your reasons for wanting to move to Italy for the long term. This letter should outline your goals, intentions, and plans for residing in Italy. Be clear about your motivation and how it aligns with the purpose of the Elective Residence Visa, which is not for short-term stays.

  • One-Way Travel Ticket Reservation: Some Italian Consulates may require you to provide evidence of a one-way travel ticket reservation. This demonstrates your intention to relocate to Italy permanently. Check with your consulate to see if this requirement applies to you. If so, make a reservation for a one-way ticket to Italy.

By including a well-written motivation letter and, if necessary, providing evidence of a one-way travel ticket reservation, you strengthen your application for the Elective Residence Visa. These documents help to demonstrate your sincere intent to establish long-term residency in Italy and increase the chances of a successful visa application.

Financial requirement

To prove your eligibility for an Elective Residence Visa for Italy based on passive incomes, you’ll need to provide detailed documentation demonstrating stable and continuous financial resources. Here’s what you need:

  • Bank Statements: Obtain letters from your banking institutions detailing your currently available funds. These letters should include information such as the type of account (e.g., savings, investment), the account balance, and your monthly earnings from interest or other sources.

  • Other Income Sources: Include documents from sources other than banking institutions that contribute to your financial stability. These may include:

    • Social Security or other pension statements
    • Property ownership and lease agreements
    • Business ownership documents
    • Dividend statements from investments

  • Continuity of Income: To demonstrate the continuity of your passive income, maintain solid bank accounts with regular deposits and withdrawals. Ensure that your monthly income remains consistent and meets the required minimum threshold.

For example, if the minimum income requirement is ā‚¬32,000 per year, a single applicant must show a monthly passive income of approximately ā‚¬2,676. Provide evidence to support this, such as regular deposits or income statements.

By submitting detailed and comprehensive documentation of your passive incomes, you increase your chances of meeting the visa requirements and obtaining approval for your Elective Residence Visa for Italy.

Accommodation requirement

To fulfill the accommodation requirement for your Italian Elective Residence Visa application, you must secure housing in Italy prior to applying. Here’s what you need to know:

  • No Hotel Bookings: You cannot rely on hotel bookings to meet the accommodation requirement. Instead, you must arrange for a long-term housing solution, such as renting an apartment or house.

  • No Third-Party Hospitality: Staying with friends or relatives in Italy temporarily is not acceptable. You must have your own independent accommodation.

  • Long-Term Housing: Seek out and secure a suitable long-term residence in Italy. This could involve renting an apartment, house, or similar accommodation. Ensure that the housing arrangement is made in advance of your visa application.

By arranging for your own independent accommodation in Italy, you demonstrate your commitment to residing in the country and complying with the visa requirements. This helps strengthen your visa application and increases the likelihood of approval for your Elective Residence Visa.

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