The Startup Visa in Italy
The Italia Startup Visa is intended for non-EU citizens who wish to establish, or in certain circumstances join, an innovative startup in Italy. The programme is managed by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) and provides a dedicated process to assess the business project and the funds allocated to the startup.
The visa is not intended for anyone who simply wishes to open a new business. The project must fit the Italian legal definition of an innovative startup and have a technological innovation component. Applicants must also show that they will contribute to the business through a self-employment relationship and that they have access to the required financial resources.
What is an innovative startup?
The definition of an innovative startup is set out in Article 25 of Decree-Law No. 179/2012, as amended by Law No. 193/2024. Among the general requirements, the company must:
- be a limited company, including a cooperative, whose shares are not listed on a regulated market or multilateral trading facility;
- have been incorporated no more than 60 months, or five years, earlier;
- be resident in Italy or in another EU or EEA country, provided that it has a production site or branch in Italy;
- from its second year of operation, have an annual value of production not exceeding €5 million, as shown in its latest approved financial statements;
- not distribute, and not have distributed, profits;
- carry out exclusively or primarily the development, production or marketing of innovative products or services with high technological value;
- not carry out agency or consulting activities as its predominant business;
- not have been established through a merger, corporate demerger, or transfer of a business or business unit.
In addition to these general requirements, the company must meet at least one of the criteria specified by law. It may allocate at least 15% of its expenses to research and development; employ highly qualified personnel in the proportions required by law; or hold, file or license a patent, or own registered software.
The requirements must be documented and maintained over time. Registration in the special section of the Business Register and continued qualification as an innovative startup are subject to specific rules. The company’s structure, project and actual activities should therefore be checked against the current legislation.
Who can apply?
Non-EU citizens may apply if they intend to establish an innovative startup in Italy and take an entrepreneurial role in the business. The application should explain the project, business model, product or service to be developed, target market and the applicant’s professional background.
The programme may also be used by a non-EU citizen who intends to join an existing innovative startup, provided that the conditions in the programme guidelines are met. In this case, the company must be registered as an innovative startup in the special section of the Business Register and have been operational for at least three years. The applicant must take an executive role and establish a self-employment relationship with the company.
The Startup Visa is different from an employed-work visa. The applicant’s role must be entrepreneurial and self-employed. The application should explain the applicant’s contribution to the company and the responsibilities they will take on in the project.
Funds and annual quotas
For the establishment of a new innovative startup, the programme guidelines require evidence of at least €50,000 in financial resources allocated to the project. For joining an existing innovative startup, the guidelines set a minimum of €100,000, to be invested in the company.
Funds may come from personal resources, investors, venture capital or other eligible sources under the guidelines. The application must include documents showing both the availability of the funds and their allocation to the startup. The amount and its suitability for the proposed project are assessed together with the business plan; meeting the minimum amount does not by itself guarantee approval.
The visa is subject to the annual quotas for self-employment established under the Italian Flow Decree. For 2026–2028, the Prime Ministerial Decree of 2 October 2025 provides for 650 total self-employment entries per year. Within this limit, 500 entries per year are provided for a group of categories that includes entrepreneurs, professionals, company officers, artists and non-EU citizens intending to establish innovative startups. These 500 places are not reserved exclusively for startup applicants, and quota availability may affect access to the procedure.
How do you apply?
Applications to the Italia Startup Visa programme are assessed by the relevant technical committee at MIMIT. Applicants submit the application form, a project description or business plan, their CV and the financial documents listed on the official portal. The application should clearly explain the innovative component, the development plan and the applicant’s role.
If the assessment is positive, the applicant receives the Italia Startup Visa certificate of no impediment (nulla osta). The official portal states that the certificate is issued within 30 days of submission of a complete application. This timeframe relates to the programme’s assessment; it does not include the time needed to obtain a consular visa or residence permit.
After receiving the certificate, the applicant must apply for a self-employment visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate responsible for their place of residence. The consular office may request further documents, including proof of accommodation and evidence of the personal income required under immigration rules. Processing times can vary by consular office, the completeness of the file and appointment availability.
After arriving in Italy, the applicant must apply for a residence permit within eight working days. The initial permit is connected to self-employment and the startup. Any renewal is subject to the relevant requirements continuing to be met.
Startup Hub and residence-permit conversion
The Startup Hub route applies to certain non-EU citizens who are already legally residing in Italy with another type of residence permit and wish to move to a self-employment permit connected with an innovative startup. Conversion is subject to the requirements and conditions applicable to the applicant’s current permit.
In these cases, the programme’s certificate of no impediment may also be required before submitting the conversion application. The official sources reviewed state a 30-day timeframe for the certificate where the complete Italia Startup Visa application has been submitted. They do not provide a general 20-day deadline for issuing the certificate or completing a residence-permit conversion. The timing of the subsequent procedure depends on the offices involved and the individual case.