The Italy elective residence visa is a long-stay national (type D) visa for non-EU citizens who want to live in Italy on stable passive income, such as a pension, annuity, rental income or investments, without working. Consulates that publish a figure usually ask for about €31,000 a year per applicant; you also need a rental contract or property deed in Italy, and the visa does not allow you to work. After arrival you apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within eight days. The exact figures and documents vary by consulate, so the one that covers your place of residence has the final word.
This guide sets out what the consulates publish, what counts as passive income, what happens after you land, and how the choice of city changes your monthly budget. It is general information, not legal or tax advice, and reflects the official sources listed at the end, checked on 28 October 2026.
How much passive income do you need for the elective residence visa?
There is no single national figure printed on every consulate page. Consulates cite Interministerial Decree No. 850/2011 (Annex A, point 13) as the legal reference, and each one publishes its own checklist. The figure that appears most often is €31,000 a year per applicant, but some pages give no number at all, and the treatment of a spouse differs.
| Italian consulate or embassy | Published income figure | Spouse and family |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate General, Houston (USA) | €31,000 a year for one person | €62,000 a year for a married couple |
| Embassy, Washington DC (USA) | “Typically around €31,000 per person” | Applies to each applicant |
| Consulate General, Los Angeles (USA) | No figure; “substantial and stable private income” | Birth or marriage certificates for dependants |
| Consulate General, London (UK) | No figure; “substantial and stable” private income | Visa can also be issued to a dependent spouse and minor children |
| Consulate General, Sydney (Australia) | At least €2,600 a month | Not specified |
| Embassy, Wellington (New Zealand) | Access to at least €31,000 per applicant | Per applicant; spouse not mentioned |
| Embassy, Tashkent (Uzbekistan) | At least €31,000 per applicant | Including the spouse |
Read the table as a range rather than a rule. A couple applying in Houston is asked for double the single figure, while other offices simply count €31,000 for each adult. If your consulate does not print a number, assume it will judge your file against similar levels and prepare evidence accordingly.
What counts as passive income, and what does not?
The consulates agree on the principle. Accepted sources are pensions and annuities, income from property you own, investment funds and stable business activities that do not require you to work in Italy. Los Angeles and London both state that income from work is not taken into consideration. Sydney adds that bank deposits and savings are not taken into consideration, so the focus is on regular income rather than a lump sum. Washington asks for resources with “guaranteed continuity in the future”, and the funds must be in your own name.
Typical evidence includes official letters from banks or financial advisers, Social Security or private pension statements and, in Los Angeles and London, the last two years of income tax returns. Houston’s checklist states that the visa does not allow any sponsor.
Which documents does the consulate ask for?
Checklists differ in detail, but most include the same core items:
- National visa application form, signed (in Los Angeles and Houston, in front of the visa officer).
- Passport valid at least three months beyond the visa’s expiry, with two blank pages.
- Proof of income as described above.
- Housing in Italy: a rental or purchase contract for a house or flat (London asks for a registered lease or deed). Los Angeles states that hotel bookings and offers of hospitality from third parties are not accepted.
- A letter explaining the reason for your stay, how long you plan to stay and where you will live (Los Angeles).
- Proof of residence in the consulate’s jurisdiction, such as a driving licence or state ID in the United States.
- A flight reservation (one-way in Los Angeles), marriage and birth certificates for family members, and the visa fee.
Since 11 January 2025, all national visa applicants are fingerprinted, according to the Los Angeles consulate. Los Angeles and Washington both say processing can take up to 90 days, with no rush service, so book the appointment well ahead. Wellington notes that its elective residence visa is issued for one year, is not renewable and is granted only on “exceptional grounds”, so contact the embassy before applying. The fee changes periodically; check the current amount on your consulate’s fees page.
The housing requirement is the one that surprises most applicants: you usually need a signed lease or a deed before the visa is issued. If you are still choosing an area, our Living in Bologna guide compares neighbourhoods and asking rents, which helps you sign a contract that matches both your budget and the consulate’s expectations.
Can you work on an elective residence visa?
No. Los Angeles states that holders may not work or seek employment “under any conditions”, Houston that the visa “does not allow any kind of work in Italy”, and London that it does not allow the recipient to work. Remote work for a foreign employer is not treated as an exception on these pages. If you plan to keep working, read our guide to working remotely from Italy, which covers the permits designed for that.
What happens after you arrive in Italy?
The visa only lets you enter. To stay legally you need a residence permit, and the clock starts at the border.
- Residence permit within eight days. You apply at the Questura (police headquarters) within eight days of arrival, according to Los Angeles and Sydney; Washington specifies eight working days. Keep copies of everything you submitted to the consulate, because you will need it again.
- Registration with the town hall. Once you live at your address, you register with the local registry office (anagrafe).
- Healthcare. Holders of an elective residence permit can enrol voluntarily in the national health service (SSN). Under Law No. 213 of 30 December 2023, article 1, paragraphs 240 and 241, the annual contribution is calculated on household income and cannot be less than €2,000; it covers the calendar year (1 January to 31 December) and is not reduced for part years, according to an information notice from the ASL Sassari health authority. Private insurance is the alternative. Our article on what Italian healthcare covers for foreign visitors explains why a tourist card or travel policy is not enough for a move.
- Tax residence. Since 2024, the Agenzia delle Entrate considers you tax resident if, for most of the tax year (183 days, or 184 in a leap year), you are physically present in Italy, have your personal and family ties here, or are registered with the anagrafe, which is now a presumption you can rebut. As a tax resident, Italy may tax your worldwide income, subject to tax treaties. Speak to an adviser in both countries before you move.
Which Italian cities suit retirees on an elective residence visa?
Your city decides how far €31,000 a year goes. Rent is the largest line, then healthcare access and how easily you can live without a car. These figures come from our own Living guides, with asking rents measured in September 2026:
| City | Average asking rent | Indicative one-bed (50 m²) | Why retirees look at it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bologna | €16.51/m² a month | About €825 | Walkable under the porticoes, Sant’Orsola university hospital, fast trains |
| Naples | €15.33/m² a month | About €770 | Sea, food and lower rents in areas such as Fuorigrotta |
| Trieste | €12.45/m² a month | About €620 | Calm, compact city on the sea, the lowest rent of the three |
Bologna is the most balanced choice for many retirees: our Living in Bologna guide estimates that a single person living modestly needs about €1,500–1,900 a month in total, which leaves room within the usual income threshold. Trieste stretches the same income further, while Naples suits those who want a big, lively city by the sea. To get a feel for daily life before committing to a lease, start with our Bologna City Guide.
FAQ
Is €31,000 a year enough for a couple?
It depends on the consulate. Houston asks for €62,000 for a married couple, while Tashkent counts €31,000 for each applicant, including the spouse, and Washington and Wellington apply the figure per applicant. Check your consulate’s checklist.
Do savings count towards the income requirement?
Usually not on their own. Sydney states that bank deposits and savings are not taken into consideration; consulates want regular income from pensions, property or investments.
Can I rent through a holiday rental while I apply?
No. Consulates ask for a rental contract or a property deed; Los Angeles explicitly rejects hotel bookings and third-party hospitality.
How long does the consulate take?
Los Angeles and Washington say up to 90 days, with no rush processing.
Does the elective residence visa lead to citizenship?
Italian citizenship by residence is a separate procedure with its own requirements. The consular pages we checked do not cover it, so ask a qualified adviser.
Official sources (checked on 28 October 2026): Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles: Elective Residency Visa, Consulate General of Italy in Houston: Elective Residence checklist, Embassy of Italy in Washington DC: Elective Residency Visa, Consulate General of Italy in London: Elective Residence, Consulate General of Italy in Sydney: checklist, Embassy of Italy in Wellington: checklist, Embassy of Italy in Tashkent: Elective residence, ASL Sassari: voluntary SSN enrolment contributions (Law 213/2023) and Agenzia delle Entrate: tax residence of individuals (4 November 2024).
This article is general information and not legal or tax advice. Requirements change and each consulate applies its own checklist; confirm with your consulate before applying.
Photo credits: cover by Diego Romeo and portico by Florian Klassen, both via Unsplash (Unsplash License), retouched.
