Elective Residence Visa Italy: The Complete 2025 Guide
Income requirements, documents needed, consulate process, and what to expect after arrival. The most popular visa for Americans retiring in Italy.
Italy Visas Guides for Americans
Every visa type available to Americans moving to Italy: elective residence, digital nomad, student, and more.
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Elective Residence Visa Italy: The Complete 2025 Guide 12 guides
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The Elective Residence Visa is the most common choice for retirees. It requires passive income of at least €31,000/year and prohibits work. For those who work remotely, the Digital Nomad Visa is now available.
Americans can visit Italy for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa (under the Schengen Agreement). To stay longer, you must obtain a long-stay visa (Type D) before departure.
Italian consulate processing typically takes 60-90 days after your appointment. Appointment wait times at major US consulates range from 2-6 months, so plan 12-18 months ahead.