Why Do I Have to Choose the Elective Residence Visa for Italy?

The Elective Residence Visa Italy (Residenza elettiva in the Italian language) is a 1-year visa that allows you to enter Italy for a long-term visit.
It can be renewed for 2 years.

It applies to foreigners who intend to relocate to Italy.
And if they can do so by financially supporting themselves autonomously.
In other words: without working.

With an Elective Residence Visa in Italy, You can come to Italy with your family.
Without working but only enjoy life, with full coverage of all social services offered.

It is the best option for relocating to Italy if You have a stable passive income. 

This point is crucial, and often there are denials because of this requirement.
Indeed, applying for an Elective Residence Visa is not an easy game.

The Italian Consulates tend to be severe when evaluating the required document.
And so if you have all the requirements for an Elective Residence Visa.

And that’s also interesting to have a look at the reasons why the Italian Consulates reject the Elective Residence Visa application.

According to general statements on Italian Consulates: 

The Italian Elective Residence Visa is for foreigners – retired persons, persons with high self-sustaining incomes and financial assets like HNWIs – who have chosen Italy as the Country of permanent residence [or long-term relocation, we add] and who can support themselves autonomously, without having to rely on employment while in Italy, whether as dependent employees, as self-employed employees or employees working remotely online. You cannot finance your residence in Italy through any work.

Which Benefits Will I Have from the Elective Residence Visa Italy?

The requirements of the Elective Residence Visa Italy.

Let’s see in detail what are the requirements for qualifying for the Italian Elective Residence Visa.

How to apply for the Italian Elective Residence Visa?

We can divide the application for an Elective Residence Visa for Italy into main 3 phases.

The application process is one – formally there are no phases.
We divide it into three different stages to quickly understand the entire process.

Here we have the main three steps for the process of applying (and getting) an Elective Residence Visa.

 

The Eligibility Phase

Before starting the entire with the Elective Residence Visa procedure, it’s imperative to check the potential eligibility with the Client. 

It is an important step we take with our clients, as it’s mandatory to lower the chance of a rejection of the Visa from the Italian Consulate.

Each case it’s different – and each person has a different financial situation, which’s not always in line with the Elective Residence Visa for Italy. 

So it’s impossible to have some standardized parameters. 
We processed all applications on a case-by-case basis, and we will offer the Client tailored and dedicated assistance.

As you can see, official statistics clearly show how high is the average denial rate of the Elective Residency Visa from the Italia Consulates.

So it’s essential not only to avoid self-applications but to be assisted by qualified Italian Immigration Lawyers like us. 

Preparation Phase. The required documents for the Elective Residence Visa

Once each document is correctly collected, translated, and legalized, you can submit Your application at the local Italian Consulate. Let’s see the Italy elective residence visa application process.

Before the Consular interview, you must prepare all your and your family members’ paperwork.

That’s is a necessary [and strictly personal] step of the Elective Residence Visa for Italy.

 

What Documents Do I Need For The Elective Residence Visa?

So let’s look at the required documents to apply for an Elective Residence Visa for Italy. 

Before Anything.
Proving You Live Under The Italian Consulate Jurisdiction.

Before anything else, you have to be sure you’re applying in the right place, so the right Italian Consulate.

This may sound like a useless tip, but that’s not. 
You have to apply at the Italian Consulate in the district where you are legally resident.

The Italian Consulate will accept your application for an Elective Residence Visa only if you live under the Consular jurisdiction.

We often received inquiries like, “Can I apply at the Italian Consulate in XXX if I’m traveling for tourism in YYY?”  “I live in Los Angeles but have a second house in NYC. Can I apply in NY?”
The answer is No.

The Italian Consulate will certainly ask you “Prove me that we are competent for this application. ” 

So You may have to show you legally and effectively live in that place. 
You may prove this with utility bills, driver’s license, or any other document that proves you live in that place daily (or most of the time).

The Elective Residence Visa Italy Application Form.

Below is an example of the template, the Italian Consulate uses for the Visa D Type.
That’s an example for the Italian elective residence Visa Application form.

Of course, for applying [and that’s valid for all Italian Visas] the documents must be collected as attachments to the Application Form. 

Still, the Elective Residence Visa Application Form is a standardized form for all Italian Consulates. 

The Elective Residence Visa Application Form is for an individual application: this means that each over18 applicants will have to fill up their Form. 

The Form must be signed before the Consular Officer, not before.

Passport + Other IDs + 2 Recent Passport-Size Photos.

The Elective Residence Visa is only the first step for aiming to obtain the Italian Passport.

You will have to bring Your Passport. 

In case You are a legal resident in the Country but not a Citizen of that Country, You will also need to bring the ID/Residence Permit. 

For example: if you are a Chinese citizen living in the US with a Greencard, You will have to bring Your Chinese Passport with your U.S. GreenCard. 

Passport must have almost two blank pages (for the Elective Residence Visa stamp) and must have nearly three months validity.

We highly suggest almost six months.

Documents Related To Your Passive Incomes

Here, there is a big part of documents for proving You have enough stable and continuous passive income to be eligible for an Elective Residence Visa For Italy.

You need to show a documented and detailed guarantee of substantial and steady economic resources.
A typical example of relevant documents is banking institutions’ letters stating currently available funds. 

You have to be as detailed as possible, so you need to show: type of account, account balance, and monthly earnings.
Or documents from other sources that will provide you with additional financial revenues. 
These may include Social Security pensions or other types of pension, property ownership and lease agreements, business ownership, dividends, and related documentation.

Then, to demonstrate the continuity of these amounts, you must show solid bank account/s and a set monthly income.

For example, as the minimum income to prove is 32,000€/year, a single applicant must have a monthly payment of around € 2,676 from passive income.

You need to provide documentation that demonstrates additional sources of financial revenue, such as Social Security pension, other types of pension, property ownership and lease agreements, business ownership, dividends, and related documents. Additionally, you must show solid bank account/s and a set monthly income to prove the continuity of these amounts. For example, a single applicant must have a monthly payment of around €2,676 to meet the minimum income requirement of €32,000/year. It is important to secure accommodation in Italy before submitting your application, as hotel bookings and third parties’ hospitality are unacceptable.

Documents Related To Your Italian Accommodation

You need to secure accommodation in Italy before Your application. 

Pay attention: hotel bookings and third parties’ hospitality are unacceptable too. 

It has no relevance if You want to stay in a Hotel/Airbnb or similar because you need to search for a house and make it in advance. 

Motivation Letter + One-Way Ticket

You must also explain your long-term goal of moving to Italy. 
Remember, the Elective Residence Visa For Italy is not for short-term purposes.

We also recommend the One-way travel ticket reservation (mandatory for some Italian Consulates).

Post-Approval Phase. After You get Your Italian Elective Residence Visa

The Italian Consulate approved your application, and now You have Your Elective Residence Visa Italy. 

So, what now? What to do? 

It’s essential to finalize the procedure correctly, or the Visa itself will not be enough for Your regular and legal stay in Italy. 

After you have your Visa, you have one year to enter Italy. 

You have eight days to register yourself at the Italian Authorities and then apply for an Elective Residence Permit when you enter.

We will assist you and your family members in the entire process in Italy. 

That’s an important step, or the authorities may revoke your Visa. 

Frequently Asked Questions on the Elective Residence Visa Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Elective Residency Visa For Italy we collected from our 8+ years of experience.

The correct and legal completion of the procedure is crucial for ensuring your regular and lawful stay in Italy with the Visa.

Once you obtain your Retirement Visa for Italy, you must enter Italy within one year.

Upon arrival, you must register with the Italian Authorities within eight days and promptly apply for an Elective Residence Permit.

We will provide comprehensive assistance to you and your family throughout the entire process in Italy.

Failure to complete this important step may result in the authorities revoking your Visa.

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Elective Residence Visa for Italy that we have gathered from our extensive 8+ years of experience.

You may find the answers you were looking for right now. 

Why us for your Elective Residence Visa Italy.

Featured on