Italy Start-up Visa: Complete Guide for Innovative Entrepreneurs
What the Italy Start-up Visa is, who can apply, requirements, procedure, benefits, lifehacks and common mistakes to avoid.
Business in Italy
Sep 11, 2025
6 min read
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Start-up Visa
Where your entrepreneurial future in Europe is born
1-year renewable residence permit for innovative start-up
Access to tax incentives and public funds for innovation
Support from the Italia Startup Hub government system
Possibility to obtain permanent residence through entrepreneurship
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Introduction
What You Need to Know
The path to realize your innovative enterprise in Italy
Do you have an innovative project in your heart? An idea that can change the rules of the game in your sector? Italy offers you much more than a visa: it opens the doors to realize your start-up in the heart of Europe, in a country where creativity, technology and style meet every day.
Whether you are a digital entrepreneur, a visionary in the green field, or a young talent with a unique proposal β the innovative start-up visa is the most direct way to transform your vision into a recognized and supported enterprise by the Italian system.
Ready to start your journey? Follow the steps below to understand the complete process.
Step 1
Who can apply for it?
You can apply if:
π
Available
Non-EU citizen
You are a non-EU citizen
π‘
Available
Innovative entrepreneurial idea
You have an innovative entrepreneurial idea and want to establish a start-up in Italy
π€
Available
Partnership with existing start-up
Or you want to become an operating partner of an already existing start-up
π°
Available
Financial availability
You have at least 50,000 euros available to invest (personal funds, investors, crowdfunding or support from incubators)
π
Available
Permit conversion
If you are already in Italy you have a valid residence permit and want to convert it
π’
Optional
Incubator support
Simplified visa procedure if you have a support letter from a certified incubator
Important Notice
Currently, by regulatory provision, the application is not accepted from Russian and Belarusian citizens.
How to submit the application
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If you are abroad
Procedure for those applying from abroad:
Send everything via email to the Ministry of Economic Development which manages the Italia Startup Hub program
If approved, you receive the Nulla Osta via email
Book the visa at the Italian Consulate in your country
Once you obtain the visa, you arrive in Italy and request the residence permit
The response arrives in about 30 days. With certified incubator, approval can arrive in a few days.
π
If you are already in Italy
Procedure for permit conversion:
Send the documents to the Ministry of Economic Development which manages the Italia Startup Hub program
If approved, you receive a certificate that allows you to convert your current permit
Book an appointment at the Single Immigration Office and at the Police Headquarters for the new residence permit
If you have a long-term EU permit, the procedure is slightly different (contact us for details). The conversion is evaluated within 20 days.
Step 2
Step 2: Required Documents
Here's what you need:
π
Project documents
Application form (with CV and project description)
Detailed business plan
Support letter from a certified incubator (optional)
π°
Financial documentation
Proof of availability of at least 50,000 euros (bank statement, investor or incubator letter)
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Personal documents
Valid passport
Copy of current residence permit (if you are already in Italy)
Criminal record certificate from countries where you have lived in the last 5 years
Private health insurance
Proof of accommodation (required after approval)
Translation & Legalization
All foreign documents must be translated by a sworn translator and legalized with apostille. Future Italian manages translations and legalizations to guarantee complete legal validity.
We Handle Everything
With Future Italian we manage the entire start-up visa process, from business plan to final approval. Our experience with the Italia Startup Hub system guarantees success and professionalism.
Step 3
Step 3: Application Process
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
1
Project analysis and consultation
We analyze your entrepreneurial idea, verify the innovation requirements and help you perfect the business plan according to the Ministry's criteria
2
Documentation preparation
We prepare all required documents: application form, business plan, proof of funds, certificates and necessary translations
3
Incubator support (if necessary)
We help you find and obtain support from a certified incubator to accelerate the approval procedure
4
Application submission to Ministry
We correctly compile and send the application to the Ministry of Economic Development through the Italia Startup Hub program
5
Monitoring and follow-up
We monitor the application status, handle any requests for clarification and coordinate all subsequent steps
6
Consular visa and permit
We assist you with the consular appointment (if abroad) or with permit conversion (if already in Italy). After approval you have 180 days to enter Italy, within 8 days of arrival you must request the residence permit (valid 1 year and renewable), then you can register your start-up and start business activities with access to tax incentives and public funds
π Your start-up visa has been approved! Congratulations, you can now realize your innovative enterprise in Italy!
How long does it take?
Complete startβup visa process from project and business plan assessment to residence permit issuance.
6-12
months
Average processing time
How Future Italian Can Help You
The start-up visa requires accurate project preparation and deep knowledge of the Italian innovation system. With Future Italian every application is handled by experts who understand the Ministry's evaluation criteria and guide you towards approval, transforming your entrepreneurial idea into an Italian reality.
Personalized consultation
We analyze your idea and verify if it can work in the Italian context. We also help you find an incubator if necessary.
Document assistance
We prepare all documents with you, including the business plan and necessary translations.
Application support
We correctly compile and send the request, and assist you with the appointment at the Consulate or Police Headquarters.
Case monitoring
We monitor the status of your application and intervene in case of delays or additional requests.
Post-approval support
We help you concretely launch your enterprise: registration, VAT number, future permits, banking, incentives.
You have the revolutionary idea. We make it happen in Italy.
With Future Italian, you're never alone
Start your journey to Italy and discover how to turn your dream into reality
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
The start-up visa is a special permit for non-EU citizens who want to establish or participate in innovative start-ups in Italy. It allows you to live and work in Italy to develop your enterprise, with access to tax incentives, public funds and support from the Italian government innovation system.
You must demonstrate having at least 50,000 euros to invest in the project. These funds can come from personal savings, external investors, crowdfunding campaigns or support from certified incubators. It's important to clearly document the availability and origin of the funds.
Times vary: if you apply from abroad, evaluation takes about 30 days; if you're already in Italy and request conversion, about 20 days. If you have a support letter from a certified incubator, approval can arrive much faster, even in a few days.
No, it's not mandatory, but highly recommended. A support letter from a Ministry-certified incubator significantly speeds up the procedure and increases approval chances, because the government considers this an important 'quality mark' that certifies the value of your idea.
Yes! If you already have a valid residence permit in Italy, you can request conversion directly without having to leave the country. The conversion procedure is faster (about 20 days) and is handled through the Single Immigration Office and Police Headquarters.
The Ministry evaluates projects in technological, digital sectors, green economy, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, fintech and other innovative fields. The project must demonstrate innovative character, growth potential and ability to create economic and employment value in Italy.
After approval you have 180 days to enter Italy (if abroad), you request a residence permit valid 1 year and renewable, you can register your start-up and start business activities. If your enterprise grows, you have access to tax incentives, public funds and facilitations to obtain permanent residence.
Absolutely yes! We have partnerships with various certified incubators in Italy and can help you find the most suitable one for your sector and project. We assist you in the application process and preparation of documentation to obtain the support letter.
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