Applications for Italy's investor visa have nearly tripled in two years, IMI Daily reported on 3 November. It cites data from Italy's Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), obtained by the Italian Investment Alliance through a freedom-of-information request. From 1 January to 13 October 2026 the ministry received 279 applications, more than in any previous full year; there were 229 in 2025 and 125 in 2024.
Since 2018, 899 applications have been filed and 782 of them, about 87 percent, have received a certificate of no impediment (nulla osta), according to the report. The ministry does not break down the remaining 117. The certificate allows the applicant to apply for the visa at an Italian consulate; the visa leads to a two-year residence permit, renewable for three-year periods while the investment is maintained.
Americans filed 160 of the 279 applications in 2026, or 57 percent, IMI Daily says. Turkey rose to third place, from one application in 2024 to 17 in 2026. Applicants came from 48 countries and territories.
Investing 500,000 euros in an Italian company remains the most used route, but its share fell from 85 percent in 2025 to 68 percent in 2026, while the innovative startup route, at 250,000 euros, rose to 28 percent, with 79 applications by 13 October. Government bonds (2 million euros) and a philanthropic donation (1 million euros) drew 32 and 3 applicants respectively since 2018. Milan was the chosen province in 51 percent of 2026 applications.
What it means
The figures show the startup route gaining ground while the company route remains the largest. IMI Daily notes that the October data cover only 13 days, so the full-year total for 2026 is not yet known.
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