Italy · Startup Visa
Italia Startup Visa for Non-EU Founders
The Italia Startup Visa, run by Italy's Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), gives non-EU founders a route to a self-employment visa for an innovative startup. Founders already living in Italy use the parallel Italia Startup Hub.
- Startup route
- Italia Startup Visa
- Minimum capital
- Funding level set by MIMIT guidelines; confirm with MIMIT
- Permanent residence
- 5 years (EU long-term residence permit)
- Citizenship
- 10 years of legal residence
Italia Startup Visa
Status: Suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens since 27 October 2023
The Italia Startup Visa is a simplified procedure for non-EU nationals who want to set up an innovative startup in Italy. MIMIT assesses the business proposal, and a positive assessment lets the founder request a long-stay self-employment visa for startups at the Italian consulate. The company must qualify as an innovative startup under Article 25 of Decree-Law 179/2012, which sets tests on age, size, purpose and profits, plus an innovation test met through research spending of at least 15 percent, highly qualified staff, or a patent or registered software. The program has been suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens since 27 October 2023.
- Run by
- MIMIT (Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy)
- Visa type
- Long-stay national visa (type D), self-employment
- Visa length
- 91–365 days, then a residence permit
- Permit request
- Within 8 working days of arrival in Italy
- Company test
- Innovative startup under Article 25, DL 179/2012
- Minimum funds
- Set in MIMIT guidelines; confirm with MIMIT
- Restrictions
- Suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens
Requirements
- Be a non-EU national planning to set up an innovative startup in Italy.
- Company must be an unlisted capital company and SME, under 60 months old, with production value up to EUR 5 million from year two.
- Meet the innovation test: R&D of at least 15 percent of costs, highly qualified staff, or a patent or registered software.
- The company must not distribute profits and must mainly develop innovative, high-tech products or services.
- Not hold Russian or Belarusian citizenship while the suspension remains in force.
How to apply
- Prepare the business proposal and submit it to MIMIT under the Italia Startup Visa procedure.
- After a positive MIMIT assessment, apply at the Italian consulate for the long-stay self-employment visa for startups.
- Within eight working days of arrival, apply for the residence permit using the post office application kit.
- Register the company in the special section of the business register for innovative startups.
Italia Startup Hub
Italia Startup Hub extends the same simplified procedure to non-EU citizens who already live in Italy with a valid residence permit, for example as students or employees, and who want to stay on to found an innovative startup. Instead of leaving the country to apply for a new visa, they can ask to convert their current permit into a self-employment permit for startups. The company has to meet the same innovative startup criteria as under the Italia Startup Visa, and the business proposal goes through the same MIMIT review.
- Who applies
- Non-EU nationals already holding an Italian permit
- Outcome
- Conversion to a self-employment permit for startups
- Run by
- MIMIT
- Company test
- Same innovative startup criteria as the visa
Requirements
- Hold a valid Italian residence permit when applying.
- Plan an innovative startup that meets Article 25 of Decree-Law 179/2012.
- Pass the same MIMIT review of the business proposal used for the Italia Startup Visa.
- Keep the startup active to renew the converted permit.
How to apply
- Submit the business proposal to MIMIT under Italia Startup Hub.
- After a positive assessment, request conversion of the current permit into a self-employment permit.
- Register the startup in the special section of the business register.
Innovative startup status after the 2024 reform
Eligibility depends on the company qualifying as an innovative startup, a status defined by Article 25 of Decree-Law 179/2012. The version in force since 18 December 2024 requires an unlisted capital company that is a small or medium enterprise, incorporated no more than 60 months earlier, tax resident in Italy or with an Italian branch, that has never distributed profits and whose main purpose is innovative, high-tech products or services. Registration in the special section lasts three years, extendable to five if the company meets added conditions such as research spending of 25 percent, a public testing contract or a patent.
MIMIT's program page records that applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens have been suspended since 27 October 2023. The funding a founder must show, and the accepted forms of evidence, are set in the program guidelines rather than in the immigration law, and the innovative startup rules themselves changed in December 2024. Founders should therefore read the current MIMIT guidance before preparing a business plan and filing.
Questions and answers
How much money do I need for the Italia Startup Visa?
The funding a founder must demonstrate is set in MIMIT's program guidelines, not in the Consolidated Immigration Act. Amounts and accepted forms of funding can change, so confirm the current figure with MIMIT before preparing the application and the business plan that supports it.
Is the Italia Startup Visa open to Russian citizens?
No. MIMIT suspended the Italia Startup Visa for citizens of Russia and Belarus on 27 October 2023, and its program page still records the suspension. Nationals of other non-EU countries can apply under the standard procedure, subject to the innovative startup criteria.
Can I apply for an Italian startup permit from inside Italy?
Yes, through Italia Startup Hub, if you already hold a valid Italian residence permit. The hub applies the same simplified procedure to non-EU residents already in the country, so a student or employee can move into self-employment as a startup founder without first returning home to apply for a new visa.
What must a founder do after arriving in Italy?
Within eight working days of arrival, the holder of a long-stay self-employment visa must apply for a residence permit, usually by sending the application kit from a Poste Italiane Sportello Amico office. The post office receipt includes credentials for tracking the file, and the Questura later sets a date to collect the permit.
Official sources
- Start-up innovative: programmiwww.mimit.gov.it
- Decreto-legge 18 ottobre 2012, n. 179, art. 25www.normattiva.it
- Decreto legislativo 25 luglio 1998, n. 286, art. 26www.normattiva.it
- Visto per l'Italiavistoperitalia.esteri.it
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Italy.
Startup visa
Positive MIMIT assessment, then a long-stay self-employment visa
02Temporary residence
Self-employment permit; investor permit 2 years, renewable for 3
03Permanent residence
EU long-term permit after 5 years, with income, housing and Italian test
04Citizenship
10 years of legal residence and B1 Italian; dual citizenship allowed