Can US citizens get residency in Italy by buying property?

Yes. Elective residence visa: from €31,000 (about $35k). Stable passive income of about €31,000/yr (three times the 1 March 2000 interior-ministry benchmark, as stated by the Italian embassy in Tashkent) from pensions, annuities, securities or property; employment and self-employment income not counted; owned or long-lease home required; no work

How long does it take?

Elective residence visa: visa decision within 90 days (statutory). The permit runs 1 year, renewable.

Does it lead to citizenship?

Citizenship possible after about 10 years, permanent residence after 5.

The Residency Index2027 edition

Italy residency for US citizens.

From: $35k
Permit in: 3 mo
Passport in: 10 yrs
Index score: 75

American passport You can already stay 90 days without a visa; residency is for staying longer, banking and owning.

For US citizens

What is different for US citizens.

US citizens living abroad remain subject to US tax on worldwide income from all sources and must report all taxable income.
IRS, U.S. citizens and resident aliens abroad
Foreign financial accounts must be reported on an FBAR once their aggregate value exceeds USD 10,000 at any time in the year.
IRS, Comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements
FATCA Form 8938 applies to a single filer living abroad above USD 200,000 at year end or USD 300,000 at any time, but foreign real estate held directly is not reportable on it.
IRS, Comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements

5 open routes

The routes to living in Italy.

Investor Visa for Italy: innovative startup

Open54

Minimum: €250,000 · about $280k
What counts: €250,000 in the capital of an Italian innovative startup registered in the special section of the companies register, held at least 2 years; invested within 3 months of entry
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable (3-year renewals while the investment is held)
Time you must spend there: no set number of days; renewal is refused after a continuous absence of more than half the permit's validity (more than 12 months on the 2-year permit), unless for serious documented reasons
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 10 years, permanent residence after 5.
Family: spouse, minor children, and dependent adult children or parents who meet the family-reunification conditions
Tax: Optional flat tax on foreign income for new residents: €300,000 a year, plus €50,000 per family member, for those moving their residence to Italy from 1 Jan 2026; up to 15 years

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Investor Visa for Italy: Italian company or venture capital fund

Open49

Minimum: €500,000 · about $561k
What counts: €500,000 in the capital of a company, or in a venture capital fund, set up and operating in Italy, held at least 2 years
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable (3-year renewals while the investment is held)
Time you must spend there: no set number of days; renewal is refused after a continuous absence of more than half the permit's validity (more than 12 months on the 2-year permit), unless for serious documented reasons
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 10 years, permanent residence after 5.
Family: spouse, minor children, and dependent adult children or parents who meet the family-reunification conditions
Tax: Optional flat tax on foreign income for new residents: €300,000 a year, plus €50,000 per family member, for those moving their residence to Italy from 1 Jan 2026; up to 15 years

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Investor Visa for Italy: philanthropic donation

Open44

Minimum: €1,000,000 · about $1.12m
What counts: €1m philanthropic donation supporting a public-interest project (culture, education, immigration management, research, cultural/landscape heritage)
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable (3-year renewals)
Time you must spend there: no set number of days; renewal is refused after a continuous absence of more than half the permit's validity (more than 12 months on the 2-year permit), unless for serious documented reasons
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 10 years, permanent residence after 5.
Family: spouse, minor children, and dependent adult children or parents who meet the family-reunification conditions
Tax: Optional flat tax on foreign income for new residents: €300,000 a year, plus €50,000 per family member, for those moving their residence to Italy from 1 Jan 2026; up to 15 years

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Investor Visa for Italy: government bonds

Open40

Minimum: €2,000,000 · about $2.24m
What counts: €2m in Italian government bonds held at least 2 years
Processing: Not published
Permit: 2 years, renewable (3-year renewals while the investment is held)
Time you must spend there: no set number of days; renewal is refused after a continuous absence of more than half the permit's validity (more than 12 months on the 2-year permit), unless for serious documented reasons
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 10 years, permanent residence after 5.
Family: spouse, minor children, and dependent adult children or parents who meet the family-reunification conditions
Tax: Optional flat tax on foreign income for new residents: €300,000 a year, plus €50,000 per family member, for those moving their residence to Italy from 1 Jan 2026; up to 15 years

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Elective residence visa

Open75

Minimum: €31,000 · about $35k
What counts: Stable passive income of about €31,000/yr (three times the 1 March 2000 interior-ministry benchmark, as stated by the Italian embassy in Tashkent) from pensions, annuities, securities or property; employment and self-employment income not counted; owned or long-lease home required; no work
Processing: visa decision within 90 days (statutory)
Permit: 1 year, renewable
Time you must spend there: no set number of days; renewal is refused after more than 6 consecutive months abroad, unless for serious documented reasons
Path to a passport: Citizenship possible after about 10 years, permanent residence after 5.
Family: spouse, minor children, and dependent adult children or parents who meet the family-reunification conditions
Tax: Optional flat tax on foreign income for new residents: €300,000 a year, plus €50,000 per family member, for those moving their residence to Italy from 1 Jan 2026; up to 15 years

Official source · Second source · checked 2026-10-20

Residency rules, thresholds and fees change often, sometimes without notice. Everything here is general information, checked on the date shown, not legal, tax or immigration advice: confirm with the official source and a licensed adviser before you act. Continental sells property; we don’t arrange visas or residency.

Short answers

What people ask.

Can US citizens get residency in Italy by buying property?: Yes. Elective residence visa: from €31,000 (about $35k). Stable passive income of about €31,000/yr (three times the 1 March 2000 interior-ministry benchmark, as stated by the Italian embassy in Tashkent) from pensions, annuities, securities or property; employment and self-employment income not counted; owned or long-lease home required; no work
How long does it take?: Elective residence visa: visa decision within 90 days (statutory). The permit runs 1 year, renewable.
Does it lead to citizenship?: Citizenship possible after about 10 years, permanent residence after 5.

The Wealth Atlas

What living well in Italy costs.

MilanA well-provided year, sourced line by line£171k

Read it for your passport

Italy residency, passport by passport.

Visa-free stays: Schengen visa list (EU Regulation 2018/1806): British, American and Emirati visitors stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa; Saudi, Indian and Chinese visitors need a Schengen visa. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Where we can help

Our markets, where a home can count.

We don’t sell homes in Italy. These are the countries where we do, and where buying one can count towards residency.

The homes: Homes in Thailand · Homes in Malaysia · Homes in the United Arab Emirates · Homes in Saudi Arabia · Homes in Oman · Homes in Spain.