Retiring in Italy: A Guide to the Elective Residence Visa for Americans

Dreaming of spending retirement on the Amalfi Coast or wandering Florence’s museums? For Americans, Italy’s Elective Residence Visa is one route to making that happen. The long-term visa requires a minimum annual income of about €31,000 (roughly $35,250), according to the Italian Consulate in New York, though the exact figure can vary by consulate—Johannesburg, for instance, cites a threshold above €30,000.

A key condition: the income must be passive, such as a pension, annuity, or rental earnings—not a regular salary. Dependents like a spouse or children can join, provided they each meet the approximate €31,000-per-person requirement. The application process involves visiting a local Italian consulate in major US cities, paying a €116 (about $133) fee, and submitting documents including proof of income, health insurance, a residence lease or deed, and one-way travel arrangements. Chicago’s consulate also requires that leases verify the landlord is registered with the Italian Tax Authority.

Once in Italy, visa holders have eight days to request a Residence Permit from local police, which is necessary for stays over 90 days. The permit can be renewed annually if requirements are met, and after five years of residency, one can apply for a permanent residence card.

For those still working, Italy offers a digital nomad visa instead—a one-year visa for remote workers with at least six months of remote experience and an annual income of at least €28,000 (about $32,208). Similar application steps apply.

Italy isn’t alone in courting retirees. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa requires €28,800 (about $32,860) in annual passive income, while Portugal’s D7 Visa has a lower income bar—€920 (about $1,055) monthly—but demands €11,040 (about $12,659) in local bank savings.