Italy is offering more than just wine and history. The Golden Visa programme lets entrepreneurs and investors from Latin America live and build businesses in Europe. For Brazilians and their neighbours, this programme opens the gates to one of the world’s most culturally rich and economically stable regions.
What the Italy Golden Visa is
A residence-by-investment programme. Italy’s Golden Visa allows non-EU nationals to obtain a two-year residence permit in exchange for a qualifying investment. It's officially known as the “Investor Visa for Italy” and launched in 2017 to attract foreign capital and innovation.
Four investment options. To qualify, investors must choose one of the following:
Invest at least €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup.
Invest €500,000 in an existing Italian limited company.
Donate €1 million to a public interest project (e.g. culture, research).
Purchase €2 million in Italian government bonds.
Initial visa is for 2 years. After that, you can renew it for 3 more years. After five years of residence, you may apply for permanent residency. After ten, for Italian citizenship.
Why the programme suits Latin American entrepreneurs
Low startup threshold. The minimum investment in innovative startups is only €250,000. This is lower than similar golden visa programmes in Europe, such as Portugal or Spain.
Italy welcomes entrepreneurship. Many Brazilian and Latin American investors prefer to invest in what they know — building businesses. The Italian system supports this with:
Access to local accelerators and business hubs.
Strong ties to sectors like fashion, food, design, and technology.
Special visa category for innovative startups.
Simple tax residency rules. Unlike some countries, Italy allows flexibility. You don’t need to spend 183 days a year in Italy to keep your investor visa — just prove your investment remains active and you follow other basic rules.
No need to move your whole life. You can maintain your main residence in Brazil or elsewhere, as long as you manage your investment and follow Italian compliance.
Benefits of living or investing in Italy
European gateway. With a Golden Visa, you gain access to the entire Schengen Zone. That means visa-free travel in 26 European countries.
Family inclusion. Your spouse, children, and even dependent parents can be included under one visa. Everyone gets the same rights.
High quality of life. Italy offers safety, healthcare, education, and a strong cultural connection to Latin America — especially for Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking communities. Many Brazilians find it easy to adapt.
Legal path to citizenship. Italy offers citizenship after ten years of residence. Brazil allows dual citizenship with Italy, and many Brazilians already have family roots there.
The application process step-by-step
Step 1: Get your Nulla Osta (authorisation).
Apply online via the dedicated Italian government platform. Submit proof of your identity, investment plan, clean criminal record, and sufficient financial means.
Step 2: Apply for the visa.
After receiving the Nulla Osta, go to your nearest Italian consulate in Latin America and apply for the visa itself.
Step 3: Enter Italy and activate residence.
Once you arrive in Italy, you have 8 days to go to the immigration office and apply for your residence card (permesso di soggiorno).
Step 4: Make the investment.
You have 3 months to complete your planned investment after entering Italy. For startups, this means transferring the €250,000 to the company’s bank account.
Step 5: Renew and settle.
After two years, renew for three more. Then apply for long-term residency or even citizenship after a few more years.
What makes this attractive for Brazilians
Cultural and historic ties. Italy is home to the largest population of Italian descendants outside of Italy — in Brazil. Over 30 million Brazilians claim Italian heritage. This cultural closeness makes integration smoother.
Portuguese and Italian are similar. Language learning is faster for Portuguese speakers. This gives Latin Americans a head start when settling or doing business.
Strong demand in key sectors. Brazil’s business strengths — in agriculture, energy, fashion, tourism — align with Italy’s economy. There are many opportunities to launch relevant businesses with cross-border potential.
Growing community support. More Brazilian entrepreneurs are using the programme. That means peer support, local communities, and experienced advisors are already available.
Common concerns and answers
“Do I need to speak Italian?”
Not at the start. All application steps can be handled in English. But learning the language helps greatly with life and business in Italy.
“What if my startup fails?”
As long as your initial investment remains for the required period, your visa status is safe. But investing wisely — with proper legal and financial guidance — is key.
“Can I buy real estate instead?”
No. Italy’s Golden Visa is not a real estate-based programme like Greece or Portugal. The goal is to attract business capital, not property buyers.
“How long do I need to stay in Italy?”
There’s no hard residency rule for the Golden Visa. But if you want permanent residency or citizenship, you must live in Italy long-term and be physically present most of the year.
Conclusion
Italy’s Golden Visa offers Latin American entrepreneurs a rare chance. For just €250,000, Brazilians and other Latin Americans can get a legal path to live in Italy, access Europe, grow a business, and include their families. With cultural ties, tax flexibility, and a favourable business climate, Italy is becoming a serious choice for investors from Latin America.
If you are interested in applying or want to know how the programme works in your specific case, contact Immigrant Invest for tailored advice and full legal support.
