Italy’s Startup Visa program is designed for individuals from outside the European Union who want to establish their own unique business in Italy.

To qualify for the Italian Startup Visa, applicants must meet certain criteria. They must demonstrate that they are establishing an innovative startup company, which is defined as a joint stock company or cooperative with shares that are not publicly traded on regulated markets or multilateral trading facilities.

Established by the Ministry of Economic Development in 2014, the Italy Startup Visa (ISV) offers a pathway for non-EU citizens to pursue entrepreneurship in Italy.

To qualify for the Italian Startup Visa, there are several criteria that your startup must meet:

  1. Operational Duration: Your startup should have been in operation for no longer than 4 years.
  2. Principal Headquarters: The main headquarters of your startup must be located in Italy.
  3. Revenue Limit: Your startup should have generated less than €5 million in income.
  4. Focus on Innovation Technology: The primary focus of your startup’s business must be on innovative technology.
  5. Profit Sharing: Your startup should not distribute profits.
  6. Independent Establishment: It should not have been formed through a merger or as a branch of another company.
  7. Criteria Satisfaction: Your startup must meet at least one of the following criteria:a. At least 15% of its expenses are dedicated to Research & Development (R&D) activities.b. The team consists of at least one-third PhD students, PhDs, or individuals who have conducted research for a minimum of three years, or at least two-thirds hold master’s degrees.c. It owns, holds rights to, or is licensed for a patent, industrial right, or original software registered with SIAE (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers).

Application Procedure

If you’re interested in obtaining the Startup Visa in Italy, the Ministry of Economic Development has laid out a comprehensive process to guide you through. This visa is specifically designed for innovative startups, offering various advantages to businesses categorized as Innovative Startups.

Here’s what you need to know:

  1. English Accessibility: The application process can be conducted entirely in English. All necessary forms, informational materials, and even a dedicated customer service are available in English. This is particularly beneficial for applicants who may not be fluent in Italian.
  2. Centralized Procedure: The entire process is centralized, meaning that all communication is routed through a single administrative body. This body, which is the Ministry of Economic Development, specifically the Directorate General for Industrial Policy, Competitiveness, and SMEs, oversees interactions with other involved administrations such as central police offices and consular representations abroad. Essentially, applicants have a single point of contact throughout the process.
  3. Efficiency: The process is designed to be expedient. The Certificate of No Impediment, necessary for visa issuance, is typically granted within 30 days of submitting the application.

Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:

  • Upon receiving the Certificate of No Impediment, you must proceed to apply for the visa at the appropriate Embassy or Consulate.
  • Upon arriving in Italy, you have 8 days to submit a request for a residence permit to the relevant authorities.

By following these steps diligently, you can navigate through the Startup Visa application process in Italy smoothly and efficiently.

Italy introduced the Italia Startup Hub in 2014 to boost startups. This move allowed people living in Italy on other types of permits to switch to a startup visa without leaving the country.

To switch permits, you need a certificate of no impediment, typically issued within 20 days of applying. Then, you can apply for the conversion at the post office.