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It felt like waiting, heart pounding in our chest, for the penalty shoot-outs at the World Cup: will the Italian government actually move ahead with sweeping changes to citizenship law? Will they ignore petitions and dissenting voices from within their own ranks?
The answer, as we now all know, was yes — and for many of us, it felt like losing the match. Italy’s 2025 citizenship reform has upended the path for millions of Italo-descendants who previously qualified for jus sanguinis (citizenship by bloodline) with no generational limit.
And while some in Italy cheer, pleased to see the back of what they view as opportunistic claims (primarily from South America), we mourn the loss for thousands of well-intentioned Americans, Brits, Canadians and others who genuinely hoped to reconnect with the “old country.” For many of them, the door has slammed shut.
As of 28 March 2025, automatic Italian citizenship is now limited to just two generations: you must have an Italian-born parent or grandparent to qualify. If your closest Italian ancestor is a great-grandparent or earlier, you no longer inherit citizenship under the new rules.
In our petition, we had proposed introducing a two-year legal residency requirement in the citizenship reform for those further removed — and it seems that idea has partially been taken on board. Some categories of people with Italian roots who reside legally in Italy for two years will now be able to apply for citizenship.
The change is immediate and (controversially) partly retroactive – many applications filed before the law are now in doubt. Exceptions exist (for example, if a parent lived in Italy for 2 years before the applicant’s birth, or if you submitted a complete application or filed your court date before the midnight of March 27, 2025, Rome time). And if you are confused by all the lingo, exceptions and conditions, you’re not the only one: one official commentary from the Italian parliament takes 49 pages of obscure legalese to explain what is happening.
Is it over? Perhaps not. The Constitutional Court will inevitably review, and perhaps soften, the citizenship reform, and Italy’s countless governments have a long history of overreacting and backtracking. In the meantime, we look for alternatives.
In This Guide: Looking For Alternatives To Legally Live in Italy
Countless non-EU Italian descendants are left out (for the moment) from the path to citizenship and are looking for alternative ways to live in or reconnect with Italy. The government has floated new allowances, such as a special work permit for Italian descendants outside of quota limits (to let those with Italian heritage work in Italy more easily), but details on this are still pending as of pixel time. In the meantime, if you’re no longer eligible for citizenship by descent, what are your options to live or work in Italy legally?
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This guide will explore the remaining main immigration pathways into Italy – from easiest to hardest – for non-EU nationals, with a focus on Italo-descendant Anglophones who have lost jus sanguinis eligibility. We’ll summarize each visa route’s core requirements, documents, and hidden obstacles, and include a comparison table for quick reference. We’ll also take a look at how other European countries (like France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain) handle similar cases, and what Italy might learn from them (in the – let’s admit it, extremely unlikely case that politicians read what we expats have to say) to improve accessibility for those with genuine ties to the country. Throughout, we’ll keep it practical, fact-based, and in plain English, minimizing the bureaucratic jargon.
Italy’s 2025 Citizenship Reform at a Glance
Before diving into visas, let’s quickly recap what changed with the Citizenship Reform and how it affects Italian diaspora families:
- Two-generation limit: Italy now grants citizenship by descent only to those with an Italian-born parent or grandparent. Simply having a great-grandparent who was Italian is no longer enough if the lineage to an Italian-born ancestor skips more than two generations. In effect, the chain “expires” at grandparents.
- “Effective bond” requirement: The law introduces the concept of a vincolo effettivo, meaning a real connection to Italy. Citizenship by ancestry is no longer automatic unless you can prove tangible ties such as a recent family residence in Italy or a direct parental link to Italy.
- Exceptions: There are a few important exceptions. If your citizenship was already recognized (by a consulate or court) before the law took effect on March 28, 2025, you’re safe. Ditto if your application was submitted or court date given before that time. If one of your parents is Italian-born, you still qualify. If your parent was not born in Italy but lived in Italy as a citizen for at least 2 years before you were born, that counts as a sufficient bond. These clauses help many in the second generation, but not those further removed. (Note: A stricter condition introduced in the Senate says the Italian-born parent or grandparent must have held only Italian citizenship (no dual citizenship) at their time of death, which could disqualify many who naturalized elsewhere. This detail is being closely watched and criticized for ignoring historical realities.)
- Retroactive impact: Italy has a history of applying citizenship laws (and many others!) retroactively, and this reform is no exception. Applications that were not fully submitted as of March 28, 2025 are not grandfathered in; they will be judged by the new criteria In other words, if you filed last year but your claim relied on a great-grandparent, you’ll likely be denied unless you already had your recognition appointment or court ruling by the deadline.
- New “Oriundi” work permits: To soften the blow, the law promises a new work visa category for discendenti di italiani – descendants of Italian citizens from countries with large Italian diasporas – outside the normal immigration quotas. This could allow those who lost out on citizenship to still live and work in Italy more easily than other foreigners. However, as of May 2025 the details of this scheme (eligibility, application process, degree of ancestry required, etc.) are not yet clarified by the government. We only know that it’s intended as a pathway to eventual naturalization. It also seems, unfortunately, that this visa category would only allow work as an employee, not residency as a remote worker, self-employed or retiree.
In short, Italy’s citizenship reform pivots from a very generous ancestry policy to a much narrower one aligned with other EU countries. Italian descendants who are no longer eligible for citizenship must now consider regular immigration visas (or other EU citizenships) if they wish to move to Italy. The good news is that Italy, like other EU nations, offers several types of visas and residence permits – though each comes with its own hurdles. Below, we’ll explain the main legal routes into Italy, roughly ordered from easiest to most challenging for the average person to obtain.
(Note: We assume you do not have an EU passport. If you do, you don’t need any visa to live/work in Italy due to free movement.)
Visa Pathways to Italy: From Easiest to Hardest
Despite its strict citizenship rules, Italy does welcome foreign residents through various visa programs. These range from retirement-style visas for people of independent means, to new visas for remote workers, to the more involved work and business visas. Let’s explore each:
1. Elective Residence Visa (Residenza Elettiva) – “Live in Italy as a Person of Independent Means”
Overview: The Elective Residence Visa is Italy’s version of a long-term retirement or investor visa for individuals who can support themselves without working in Italy. It’s ideal for retirees or anyone with substantial passive income/savings who dream of la dolce vita in Italy. This visa does not permit employment or active business in Italy – you must sustain yourself on your own wealth. In return, it grants a one-year renewable residence permit and a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years (and even citizenship after 10 years of residency, if desired).
Key Requirements: You must demonstrate a stable, sufficient annual income from passive sources (pensions, investments, rents, etc.) well above the Italian average. There is no fixed minimum in the law, but in practice the benchmark is around €31,000 per year for a single applicant. This figure comes from a multiple of Italy’s social security indices – roughly 32 times the monthly social assistance level. For a married couple, about €38,000 combined is expected, and about €6,000–€7,000 extra per dependent child. In short, a family of four would need on the order of €45,000+ yearly passive income. You also need to have either purchased or long-term rented housing in Italy before applying, and carry private health insurance valid in Italy. Key documents include bank statements and investment/pension letters proving your income stability, a copy of your deed or rental contract in Italy (one-year lease minimum, no short-term Airbnbs), and a declaration that you won’t work.
Obstacles: The Elective Residence Visa’s biggest hurdle is financial. The income threshold (around €31k for one person) is high – for context, it’s equivalent to about £27,000 or $34,000 per year, which is beyond many early-to-mid career professionals. And remember, this income cannot come from a salary or active business – it must be passive (investments, rental income, pensions, trust funds, etc.). You’ll need to show evidence that these funds will continue stably. Italian consulates often scrutinize applications carefully; if a 30-something applicant shows exactly €31k in passive income, they might suspect you intend to sneak in and find a job.
Younger applicants sometimes get rejected on the presumption that “elective residency” is meant for retirees or the truly financially independent. Another obstacle is the housing requirement – you must secure Italian accommodation before you even have the visa, which means committing to a lease or purchase while unsure if your visa will be approved. This Catch-22 can be costly and stressful (many opt to rent property with a refund clause in case of visa denial). Finally, because you’re expected to reside in Italy at least 183 days a year on this visa, you’ll become an Italian tax resident. Italy taxes worldwide income, so you should consult a tax advisor; however, there are tax breaks for new residents that might soften the blow (for example, the 7% flat tax regime for foreign pensioners in southern Italy, or the Res Non Dom lump-sum tax for high net worth individuals).
Work and residency rights: Holders of an Elective Residence Visa cannot engage in any employment in Italy – not even remote work for foreign companies is explicitly allowed (this visa is for a life of leisure, essentially). You can manage your investments or businesses abroad, and you can earn income from assets (for instance, you could receive rent from an Italian property you own), but you cannot take up a payroll job or sell services in Italy. Family reunification is possible – you can include a spouse and minor children in your application if you show higher income for them, or they can apply for accompanying visas later. After 5 years of continuous residency, you become eligible for a permanent EU long-term residence permit (carta di soggiorno), and after 10 years you could apply for Italian citizenship by naturalization (subject to Italian language B1 exam and other integration criteria). Keep in mind that to maintain the visa you must continue to meet the income and no-work conditions each year when renewing.
Bottom line: The Elective Residence Visa is the simplest route in terms of red tape (no Italian employer or business plan needed, and no quotas apply), if you have the financial means. Thousands have successfully applied. For an Italian descendant who recently lost citizenship eligibility, this could be an option if, say, you’re a successful professional who can quit your job and live off savings/investments, or a retiree with a good pension. It’s essentially “buy your way in” (though unlike some countries’ golden visas, there’s no lump-sum investment required – just proof of income). The trade-off is you must truly be self-sufficient and give up the idea of working in Italy. Many find this visa too restrictive or unattainable financially, which leads us to other routes below.
2. Digital Nomad Visa (Lavoro da Remoto) – “Work Remotely from Italy for a Foreign Employer”
Overview: In response to the remote work boom, Italy has introduced a new Digital Nomad Visa for non-EU citizens who work fully remotely for employers/clients outside Italy. Launched in 2023-2024, this visa allows you to reside in Italy for one year (renewable) while continuing to work for your overseas company or as a freelance digital professional. Crucially, you cannot take on local Italian employment with this visa – your income must come from abroad. It’s designed for high-earning professionals (think software developers, designers, marketers, etc.) who want to enjoy Italy’s lifestyle without switching jobs. If you qualify, it’s a fantastic way to live in Italy without sacrificing your current career.
Key requirements: The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) has more stringent criteria than many might expect. Applicants must prove they are “highly qualified” remote workers with a steady income well above Italy’s average. The law set the income bar at least 3× the Italian minimum income threshold for healthcare. In practice, consulates have interpreted this as about €24,789 annual income (approximately $27,000) at minimum in 2025. Some sources indicate €28,000 as a safe figure. The key is that this income must come from your remote work – purely passive income (like investments) doesn’t count for this visa. You’ll need documentation like pay stubs, contracts, invoices, or tax returns to prove your remote earnings.
Additionally, you must show at least 6 months of work experience in your current field or with your current employer before applying. For employees, a number of declarations from your company are required. If you’re self-employed or a freelancer, you should provide client contracts or business registries, and perhaps a letter describing your business. In all cases, a clean criminal record, proof of a place to stay in Italy, and private health insurance (coverage ≥ €30,000) are required (similar to other visas). Uniquely, the DNV also asks for proof of your professional qualifications – either a university degree or evidence of “high skill” experience in your field (e.g. references, portfolio). Essentially, they want remote workers who are professionals, not odd-jobbers.
Obstacles: While this visa is a great concept, be prepared for a few challenges. First, the income threshold (~€25k+) could exclude junior remote workers or those in lower-paying fields. Also, Italian consulates only recently started processing these visas, so procedures may vary by consulate. Some consulates (like San Francisco) have published detailed checklists, while others might still lump this under “self-employment visa” in their forms. Patience may be required as staff figure out this new category. Another obstacle: no local income allowed – you can’t supplement your foreign salary with an Italian side gig. If you lose your foreign job, the visa becomes invalid.
Unlike some countries’ nomad visas, Italy’s is currently valid for only 1 year at a time (renewable if you still meet the conditions). This means a bit of annual paperwork to renew your permesso. Over the long run (5+ years), you could convert to a different residence permit or apply for an EU long-term permit, but you’d need to keep meeting the income test and not shift to an Italian employer unless you change visa status. Finally, note that Italy taxes tax-residents on worldwide income. There are tax regimes to mitigate this (e.g. a 50% income tax exemption for certain inbound workers, or the flat €200k tax regime for high earners). It’s wise to get tax advice if you plan to stay multiple years.
Work and residency rights: The Digital Nomad Visa allows you to live anywhere in Italy and work remotely (from your laptop in a Tuscan villa or a Roman café, as you please!). You cannot work for Italian companies directly on this status, but incidental business activity (like attending a conference or consulting for a foreign client’s Italian branch) is generally fine. You can bring family with you – Italy allows a concurrently applying spouse and children, though you’ll have to show additional funds for them (often a percentage of the income threshold; exact guidance on family for DNV is evolving). Family members would get a residence permit as your dependents, allowing them to live (and in the case of a spouse, to work in Italy if they find a job).
The DNV counts as regular legal residency, so after 5 years you could apply for a permanent residence permit (you’d need to demonstrate five years of continuous income and integration). And after 10 years, you could attempt naturalization to Italian citizenship (though one wonders if the stringent approach to diaspora might carry over to how they scrutinize naturalization applications – however, that’s speculative). One plus: this visa is not subject to annual quotas (decreto flussi). It’s open year-round to qualified applicants, a significant advantage over many work visas in Italy.
Bottom Line: Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa is a promising option for those who can meet the requirements. If you’re an Italian descendant working remotely in, say, the US or UK and earn a comfortable salary, this could be your ticket to living in Italy without giving up your job. It effectively turns you into a resident tourist – enjoying Italy’s lifestyle while being employed elsewhere. Just be ready to document everything thoroughly. This route is considerably easier than traditional work visas because no Italian employer or work permit is needed, and no quota limits apply. It squarely targets the modern remote professional – aligning with visa offerings in other countries like Portugal and Spain (which we’ll compare later).
3. Study Visa (Visa di Studio) – “Enroll in an Italian University or School”
Overview: A perhaps under-appreciated pathway to Italy is via a student visa. If you enrol in a recognized Italian university, academy, or training program, you can obtain a residence permit for the duration of your studies. This is a temporary pathway – a study visa by itself doesn’t lead to permanent residency – but it can be a strategic move. Many non-EU folks use study permits as a stepping stone: you spend a year or two in Italy studying (improving language skills and networking), and during or after your program, you transition to a work permit or another status. Notably, Italy allows students to convert their student permits into work permits outside the quota system when they finish studies or find a job. For Italian-descendant young adults who just missed out on citizenship, doing a Master’s or language program in Italy might be a way to live in Italy relatively quickly.
Key Requirements: To clarify, there are no age limits to be a student: if you’re well into your eighth decade of life and decide to study in Italy, the government will not prevent you. First, you need to be accepted into an Italian educational institution. This could be a university degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD), a postgraduate diploma, an Italian language course at a certified school, or even certain high-school study abroad or culinary programs. Most commonly, people apply for university programs taught in English or Italian.
Once you have a letter of enrollment/acceptance, the visa requirements are straightforward: proof of payment of any tuition fee, proof of financial means to support yourself during studies (the law requires a minimum amount per month of stay – roughly on the order of €450–€500 per month, so about €6,000 for one year; check current numbers), proof of accommodation (e.g. a booking in a student residence or a rental agreement), health insurance, and so on.
The financial proof can be in the form of your bank statement or an affidavit of support from parents if they’ll sponsor you. It’s generally much lower than the other visas – essentially just enough to not become a public burden, plus any paid tuition. Key documents include your educational certificates and possibly an Italian translation of your diploma (if you’re going for university, you may also need a “Dichiarazione di Valore” – a document validating your foreign education, but many schools assist with this). The process is facilitated by the Italian consulates’ Uni-Italia program for student visas, and often if you’re admitted to an Italian university, getting the visa is quite routine.
Obstacles: The major catch is that a student visa binds you to staying a student. You must remain enrolled and make progress (the permit gets renewed if you pass exams and move to the next year). If you drop out or fail, you lose the status. For someone whose main goal is to live in Italy long-term, you have to leverage the study period to find another solution (like a job) by the end of your studies. Another issue is cost and time – you have to pay tuition (though Italian public universities are relatively cheap, often €1,000–€2,500/year for international students, and some programs are taught in English).
You also spend that time not working full-time (unless remote for a foreign job, but officially as a student you’re only allowed to work part-time 20 hours/week). This might deplete savings if you’re not careful. Keep in mind that years on a student permit don’t fully count toward the 5-year requirement for permanent residence – EU rules allow counting them at 50%. Italy indeed lets you count study years at half rate if you later switch to a work permit and apply for a long-term resident card. So, for example, two years as a student would count as one year of residence for the 5-year count.
For Italian descendants, there’s also the emotional aspect: you might already have a degree and career, so going “back to school” just as an immigration strategy might not appeal or be feasible. However, some choose to do an Italian language school for a year, or a culinary course, etc., as a way to test living in Italy. Note that not all courses qualify – it must be an approved program with sufficient hours. Also, family: a student permit typically doesn’t allow you to sponsor family members unless you’re at a very advanced study level or can show hefty finances. So this path is more for single adults.
Work and residency rights: As a student in Italy, you’re allowed to work part-time up to 20 hours per week (1040 hours/year). Many international students take up casual jobs or internships. You can’t work full-time on the student permit, but during summer breaks you might extend to full-time for short periods. Importantly, once you graduate (or even before graduation if you find an employer), Italy currently permits conversion of your student residence permit to a work permit without waiting for a quota decree. This is huge: it means if you obtain a qualifying job offer, you don’t have to compete in the decreto flussi “click-day”; you can switch to a work visa directly. Italy has been encouraging this to retain foreign graduates. Similarly, if you finish a PhD or research in Italy, there are special provisions to stay job-hunting for 12 months and convert to work. After converting and working, you start accruing time toward permanent residency (with half of your student period counted).
Bottom Line: A study visa is arguably the most accessible visa in pure terms of requirements – the financial bar is low, and Italian schools welcome international students. For those with Italian ancestry who are younger (or looking for a career change), it’s a viable way to immerse in Italy. It’s what we’d call a “grey-area” pathway because it’s not a direct route to staying permanently unless you make use of the time to transition to another status. But given that Italy now limits jus sanguinis, pursuing ius culturae (citizenship by cultural integration) through education might resonate with some. If, for example, you always felt Italian but can’t get citizenship now, spending two years doing a Master’s in Italy will definitely strengthen your connection – and possibly open doors to employment there. Just go in with a plan for what happens after the studies (e.g. network for jobs, improve your Italian language, explore internship opportunities that could lead to sponsorship).
4. Family Reunification (Ricongiungimento Familiare) – “Join a Family Member Who’s in Italy”
Overview: Family reunification is a broad category, but it’s worth mentioning because it can be the easiest of all if you genuinely qualify. The basic idea is, if you have immediate family who are Italian citizens or legal residents, they can sponsor you to come live in Italy as their family member. For Italian descendants, the most common relevant scenario is marriage: if you marry an Italian citizen (or an EU citizen), you are entitled to a residence card essentially as a right. We’re not suggesting a marriage of convenience – but it’s an undeniable fact that many people go on to obtain citizenship by marriage (after 2 years of marriage to an Italian, you can apply, even faster if you reside in Italy). Aside from marriage, other family ties could be: if your parent or child is an Italian citizen or resident in Italy. For example, say your adult daughter moved to Italy and got citizenship or a work permit; as her dependent parent over 65, you might be able to join her under certain conditions. Or if one of your parents was actually recognized as an Italian citizen and moved to Italy, they could potentially bring you even if you’re over 18 (though only if you are financially dependent on them, which is a high bar if you’re a healthy adult). Spouses and minor children are the straightforward cases. This is a common pathway to coming to Italy, and most large-ish CAF (no-profit tax and accountancy advisory centres) will do the paperwork for very little money.
Key Requirements: The requirements differ slightly depending on whether the sponsor is an Italian/EU citizen or a non-EU resident in Italy. If your sponsor is an Italian citizen, the process is simpler and largely a formality (especially for spouses and minor kids). You’ll need to show the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.), and the Italian or EU family member needs to demonstrate they have accommodation for you. If your sponsor is a non-EU national with a residence permit (say your sibling or parent on a work permit in Italy), then they must meet certain income and housing requirements to bring you. For example, to sponsor a spouse or child, the sponsor must earn above a certain annual income threshold (usually equal to the social allowance × number of family members – roughly €6,000–€8,000 per year required, doubled if bringing two family members, etc.) and have an apartment of adequate size (verified by a housing suitability certificate). They apply for a nulla osta (authorization) in Italy, and once approved, you apply for the visa at the consulate.
For spouses of Italian/EU citizens, there’s an easier route under EU free movement law – you get a Carta di Soggiorno per familiari UE which is a 5-year card. This doesn’t require proving income or even language ability upfront, because EU law prioritizes family unity. One just has to register the marriage and file the application.
Obstacles: The obvious obstacle is you need a qualifying family relationship in the first place. Many Italian diaspora folks don’t have immediate family in Italy – their ancestors left generations ago. So unless you happen to have a close relative living in Italy now, this might not apply. Marriage to an Italian is the most potent scenario, but of course that’s not a “visa strategy” one pursues lightly. Assuming you do have family, other obstacles could be bureaucratic delays: obtaining the nulla osta and visa can take a few months. If the sponsor is a non-EU citizen, they now must have been living in Italy at least 2 years legally before they can bring spouse or parents (a new rule as of 2024). This was meant to ensure the sponsor is settled and contributing before family joins. Also, extended family (siblings, cousins) generally have no reunification rights – only spouses, parents, children (and in some cases dependent grandparents/grandchildren). So your cousin in Calabria sadly can’t sponsor you unless you get legally adopted or something extreme.
Another obstacle: if you’re being sponsored as a dependent adult child or parent, you must prove dependency (financial and in some cases medical). Italian authorities are tough on this to prevent abuse. For instance, a 25-year-old child of an Italian resident usually wouldn’t qualify unless incapacitated or studying and still financially supported fully by the parent.
Work and residency rights: If you obtain a family residence permit, it generally allows you to live and work freely in Italy. A spouse on a family permit can take up employment or self-employment without needing their own work visa – a huge advantage. The permit’s duration will match that of the sponsor’s permit (if the sponsor is a non-EU resident) or be 5 years if the sponsor is an Italian/EU citizen. After living 5 years on a family permit, you can qualify for a permanent residence card. And if your spouse is Italian, you can apply for citizenship after 2 years of marriage (if residing in Italy) – this is one of the fastest citizenship routes in Italy (though processing can take 1-2 more years). Children under 18 who are brought in as family can typically naturalize at 18 if they’ve been in Italy since before age 14 (the law has provisions for quick citizenship for minors who essentially grew up in Italy).
Bottom line: Family reunification isn’t an option everyone can utilize, but it’s certainly the smoothest path when it’s available. For our context: if you happen to have an Italian citizen spouse or decide to marry your long-time Italian partner, your problem is basically solved. If your parent or child becomes an Italian citizen or resident, they can sponsor you (with some caveats). It’s worth noting that some Italian descendants have taken an indirect approach: one family member (say a sibling or cousin) who is eligible for citizenship by descent might go through the process and move to Italy, then later that person (now an Italian citizen) could potentially sponsor others via family visas or even through the new work visa for descendants when it appears. That’s a bit roundabout, but it highlights that if some in your family line still qualify under the new rules (e.g. a closer generation), they might pave the way for the rest.
In summary, while you can’t “inherit” citizenship beyond 2 generations now, you can still inherit opportunities through family ties. Living with or near family in Italy can be both emotionally rewarding and practically simpler for integration. For those without such ties, we turn to more individual-based routes: work and business visas.
5. Self-Employment Visa (Lavoro Autonomo) – “Be Your Own Boss in Italy”
Overview: Italy offers a self-employment visa category for individuals who want to work in Italy not as an employee but as a freelancer, independent professional, or entrepreneur. This is a broad umbrella that covers everyone from freelance graphic designers to import-export traders to consultants, as well as those starting a small business in Italy. In theory, if you can show you’ll earn a living independently in Italy, you can get a visa. In practice, this category is one of the more bureaucratically complex routes, because Italy imposes various conditions and (until recently) numerical quotas on self-employed visas. That said, for a determined person – especially one with a specific professional skill or business plan – it’s a viable path to long-term residency.
Key Requirements: The requirements differ based on what kind of self-employed activity you plan in Italy. There are a few sub-categories:
- Freelance professionals: If you belong to a regulated profession (architect, doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc.), you must show you are qualified to practice in Italy (e.g. you have an Italian license or you can get one). If it’s a non-regulated profession (like IT consultant, writer), you generally need a “certificate of no impediment” from the relevant professional body or Chamber of Commerce in Italy. Essentially, an Italian authority must vet your business plan or qualifications and issue a nulla osta (authorization) saying you’re allowed to pursue that work. Often, demonstrating that you have sufficient funds (historically around €17,000 in available capital) and an economic plan is required for this clearance.
- Entrepreneurs (business owners): If you plan to invest in Italy (like open a company or buy into one), there are specific thresholds. One path is the entrepreneur visa requiring an investment of at least €500,000 in an Italian company and creating at least 3 jobs – but that’s more for significant investors. Smaller entrepreneurs can still apply under the generic self-employment quota if they show a sound business plan and financial resources. You’d likely need to present a business plan to the local Chamber of Commerce, show you have funds to start (there isn’t an official minimum beyond covering a year’s expected expenses, but having at least €20-30k could be expected), and possibly prove future income projections above a certain level.
- Artists, musicians, sports figures: Italy even has provisions for self-employed artists or sports professionals – requiring a declaration from the appropriate Italian cultural or sports authority that your presence is of value.
Historically, Italy set an annual quota for all self-employment visas (a few hundred slots nationally per year, excluding special programs like the Startup Visa). This meant you had to apply in a narrow window. However, the latest immigration law changes in late 2024 appear to create multi-year quotas and possibly more flexibility. It’s a bit in flux, but likely a limited number of self-employed visas are granted each year outside of special cases.
No matter the sub-type, general requirements include: proof of sufficient income or capital to support yourself (the law used to cite income > the minimum level for health care registration, roughly €8,500/year, but realistically you should show significantly more, or substantial savings if a new business), a clean criminal record, and suitable accommodation in Italy (yes, even for a self-employed visa you’ll need an address). Often you must also obtain a codice fiscale (tax code) and maybe even start the process of opening a VAT number or Italian company before the visa – this chicken-and-egg situation usually means working with Italian professionals to get preliminary documents.
Obstacles: Buckle up – the self-employment visa process can be notoriously labyrinthine. The need for Italian authorities’ pre-approval (nulla osta) is the biggest hurdle. You might have to deal with a professional association or local officials in Italian, explaining your business plans. Each region or Chamber of Commerce might have its own procedures. Bureaucracy aside, there’s also the quota – if the quota is small and oversubscribed, you might miss out simply due to a cap. The “decreto flussi” in recent years did allocate a few hundred slots to self-employed individuals, including specific sub-quotas for entrepreneurs in certain sectors, famous artists, etc. For example, one year they might allow 500 self-employed visas: 100 for entrepreneurs investing €500k, 50 for artists, etc., and the rest for generic freelancers (if you can believe it, 1200 fast-tracked slots are made available to foreign footballers: talk about priorities!). Planning and timing are key, since you typically apply right when the decree opens. There is hope that with a new multi-year quota and labor shortage concerns, Italy may expand or even remove quotas for certain self-employed cases.
Another obstacle: credential recognition. If your profession is regulated (say you’re a nurse or teacher), Italy might require re-qualification or at least registration in Italy, which can be a lengthy process itself. If you skip that, your visa could be denied on grounds that you’re not legally able to practice that job in Italy.
Also, you need a decent handle on bureaucracy or a good attorney. Many people hire an Italian immigration lawyer or consultant to assemble the paperwork for a self-employment visa, because it’s not as standardized as other visa types. Expect to gather documents like bank statements, business plans, letters of reference, possibly contracts with prospective Italian clients (showing you will have income), etc. The consulate will want to see that you genuinely will be able to earn a living in Italy on your own – they might ask, “have you already lined up any work or clients in Italy?” Catch-22: you can’t legally work before the visa, but having some letters of intent from potential clients can bolster your case.
Work and residency rights: A self-employment visa, once obtained, gives you a one-year residence permit for lavoro autonomo, renewable as long as your business is active and earning income. You are free to carry out the specific activity you were approved for – and actually, once you have the permit, you can engage in any lawful self-employed activity (for example, if you came as a “freelance consultant” but later want to switch to selling handmade ceramics, you can, just update your VAT activities – the permit isn’t tied to one project). You cannot be a regular employee for someone else on this permit (you’d need to convert to a lavoro subordinato permit for that), but you can invoice companies as an independent contractor. After 5 years, you can get a permanent residence assuming your business yielded enough income to support you each year and you didn’t have long breaks in renewal. And yes, this time counts toward the 10-year citizenship clock as well.
One thing to note: Italy introduced a special Startup Visa program (discussed next) which is technically a subset of self-employment, but with streamlined process for innovative startups and no quota. So if your self-employment plan is tech-related and you have capital, consider the Startup Visa route, as it bypasses some hurdles.
Bottom Line: The self-employment visa is a path for the entrepreneurial at heart. If you’re an Italian descendant who runs your own business or wants to, and you can transplant that activity to Italy, it’s worth exploring. Many dual citizenship service providers, for instance, who lost their own eligibility might turn around and come to Italy on a self-employment visa offering services to others! The process, however, requires patience and probably professional help. Italy’s message here is: we welcome talent and investment: here are 12 forms to fill in triplicate first. On the bright side, Italy has been trying to simplify certain aspects – for example, in 2020 they eliminated the requirement of a special “verification of no criminal impediments” from the local police for self-employed applicants. And the new laws are aiming to streamline work visa processes digitally, which should eventually make it easier. So, while currently one of the harder ways in, the lavoro autonomo route can be highly rewarding if you succeed, since you are effectively your own sponsor and can carve out a niche in Italy’s market.
6. Italy Startup Visa – “Launch an Innovative Startup in Italy”
Overview: The “Italia Startup Visa” is a special initiative Italy launched in 2014 to attract foreign entrepreneurs who want to build innovative startups in Italy. It is essentially a fast-track subset of the self-employment visa, exempt from the normal quota and red tape. If you have a tech startup idea and at least €50,000 in funding, you can apply online to a committee in Italy for an endorsement. With that in hand, getting the visa is relatively straightforward. This route is ideal for startup founders, especially those in fields like tech, biotech, renewable energy, etc., who have a solid business plan and some capital or investor backing. Think of it as Italy’s version of Silicon Valley outreach: they want talent and new companies to come create jobs.
Key requirements: The headline requirement is the €50,000 minimum investment in the startup. This doesn’t mean you pay the government; rather, you need to show that your startup will have at least €50k in capital to get off the ground. The funds can be your own money, or from investors (venture capital, angel, even a crowdfunding campaign or a startup competition grant). You will need a detailed business plan for an innovative product or service. “Innovative” is defined by law – generally the startup should involve technology or new methods, and meet one of these criteria: at least 15% of expenses in R&D, or at least 1/3 of the team are advanced degree holders, or you own a patent/tech idea. (You don’t have to meet all; one of those suffices to qualify as a startup). You must be the founder or a key team member (director or majority shareholder) who will be active in the company.
The application is two-step: first, apply to the Italia Startup Visa Committee (an inter-ministerial panel of experts) with your business plan, passport, CV, proof of funds (e.g. bank letter confirming you have €50k ready), and some background info. They typically respond within 30 days. If approved, they issue a nulla osta (clearance) for startup visa. Then you apply for the visa at the consulate with that clearance and standard documents. Also note, they expect you to have made at least a minimal income of €8,500 in the previous year – this is to show you can support yourself before the startup makes money.
Obstacles: Compared to a generic self-employment visa, the Startup Visa is smoother – no quota limits and a promise of quick processing. However, convincing the committee is the challenge. You really need a solid, plausible startup idea. They could reject applications that look half-baked or where funding is unclear. €50,000 is also a significant sum; you either need personal savings or to win over an investor. It’s lower than many countries’ startup visa requirements, but still, you must show evidence of those funds (a bank will have to attest that you have the money, and that it’s from legitimate sources – read, anti-money laundering checks). Also, if your business truly needs more than €50k, the committee might expect to see that. They caution that €50k is a minimum and could be deemed insufficient if the project clearly would require more. So tailor your plan to match your financial resources.
Another potential obstacle is the business environment – Italy’s bureaucracy for starting a company, getting patents, etc., is not as lightning-fast as some other countries. You will likely want a local partner or consultant to help incorporate the company once you arrive. By law, you actually incorporate after you get the visa and move, which is good (less upfront hassle). Be prepared for the usual challenges of running a startup, now with added cultural and language adjustments but, frankly, setting up a company in Italy is one of the easier procedures.
Work and residency rights: With the startup nulla osta, you’ll get a 1-year visa (often coded as self-employment/startup) and then a 1-year permesso di soggiorno which can be renewed for a second year, and so on. Startup founders also enjoy some perks: you may qualify for mentoring or incubator support (if you got investment from an Italian incubator, they’ll help). The visa allows you to work full-time on your startup. You shouldn’t need to take other employment – the expectation is the startup is your job – but technically, once you have the self-employed permit, you could take on some other self-employed gigs if you have time. Bringing family is allowed; they come as your dependents (family cohesion visas). After 5 years of continuous residency, you can apply for permanent residence (hopefully your company is a success by then!). If the startup fails or you pivot, you’d need to ensure you transition your permit (for example, if you end up taking a normal job, you’d convert to a work permit).
One interesting note: The Italian government has promoted this program globally, and it has an almost 100% approval rate for those who meet the criteria. It’s much friendlier than the general self-employment route, not to mention, far less onerous.
Bottom line: The Startup Visa is an excellent option if you have the entrepreneurial drive and either funds or investor support. For Italian descendants with a tech background, it could be an attractive way to return to the “old country” and start a business, leveraging Italy’s talented workforce (and perhaps lower costs compared to Silicon Valley). It bypasses the typical labor certification or sponsorship – you are your own sponsor. Not everyone will have a startup idea or €50k ready to invest, but if you do, Italy offers you a red carpet relative to other categories. Plus, there’s a bit of patriotic symmetry in it: bringing innovation and jobs to Italy is a great way to restore the exchange after generations of emigration.
7. Work Permits (Employment Visas & the Quota System) – “Get Hired by an Italian Company”
Overview: Last but not least, the classic route: move to Italy for a job offer. If you can find an Italian employer to hire you and sponsor a work visa, that’s a direct path to living in Italy. There are a few flavors of work visas, but generally Italy has a strict quota system (decreto flussi) that limits how many non-EU workers can be hired each year and from which countries/sectors. The common types are lavoro subordinato (standard employment), lavoro stagionale (seasonal work), and some special high-skilled categories like the EU Blue Card or intra-company transfers (which are outside the quota). For many Italo-descendants abroad, this route might be challenging unless you have in-demand skills or don’t mind seasonal manual work. But it’s worth understanding, especially if you have a line on a job in Italy.
Key Requirements: First, you need a job offer (contract) from an Italian employer. The employer then must apply for a work authorization (nulla osta) on your behalf when the immigration quotas are open. Typically, the government issues a Decreto Flussi annually (or multi-year now) specifying how many workers can be brought in and in which categories. For example, the decree might say: 30,000 seasonal farm workers from Country X, 10,000 caregivers, 5000 in construction, etc. You must fit into one of the allowed categories/nationalities of that decree. Many quotas are reserved for specific countries that have migration agreements with Italy (often including countries like Philippines, Tunisia, Morocco, India, Albania, etc.).
For seasonal work, requirements are lower: it usually covers agriculture and tourism jobs (farm picking, hotel staff) for up to 9 months. Employers must provide a job contract and usually lodging for the worker. For non-seasonal work, the employer must show that the job fits a quota slot (like a certain industry) and sometimes that they tried to hire locally (though Italy doesn’t have a strict labor market test like some countries). They also must meet minimum salary and contract standards. If you are highly skilled (university degree and a job with salary above ~€34,000), you might qualify for an EU Blue Card, which Italy offers outside the quota – this could be a great route if, say, you work in IT or engineering and find a position in Italy, as the Blue Card bypasses the flussi and grants you a 2-year permit with mobility rights in the EU.
For all work permits, you’ll need to present at the visa stage: the nulla osta, your contract, your credentials, and standard documents. You’ll also need at least basic conversational Italian in many cases to land the job, though not a formal visa requirement (except some specific jobs like healthcare require proof of language).
Obstacles: The obvious one is finding a job in Italy as a non-EU citizen. Italy’s job market can be quite insular and Italian-language-heavy. Unemployment is still high in some sectors, so the government doesn’t open quotas for every profession. Many quotas in recent years have focused on manual labor sectors with shortages (e.g., agriculture, construction, trucking, caregiving). If you are a software developer or some professional, you’d likely go the Blue Card route or potentially come as a student first then get hired. It’s rare for Italian companies to sponsor a foreigner through the regular quota unless they really can’t find that skill in Italy.
The quota process itself is competitive – applications open on a certain day and often fill up within hours (it’s an online click-day scramble). Employers need to be prepared and act fast. As a prospective employee, you might have limited control here. Seasonal work quotas are usually large (like 40,000+) and easier to get if you have an employer lined up, but these only grant short-term stays (though you can be re-hired more easily by the same company the next time around).
Another obstacle: time limit & renewal – if you come on a seasonal visa, you must leave after it ends (though you can be invited back next year; after working multiple seasons some workers convert to longer permits). For standard work permits, initially you get a 1-year (or 2-year if permanent contract) permit, tied to that employer. If you lose the job, you have a short window to find another or you risk losing status (though Italy gives unemployment benefits and some months to job-hunt).
Also note: Italy’s bureaucracy for things like the work permit and then the permesso can be slow – you might be waiting months to actually get your permit card after arriving, though you can work in the meantime with the initial visa stamp. The regional variation in processing times is huge.
Work and residency rights: Obviously, on a work visa you have the right to work for the employer who sponsored you. After some time (I believe after 2+ years on a regular work permit), you can apply for an “carta di soggiorno per lavoro” that is more open or convert to an EU long-term permit after 5 years, at which point you can work for anyone. If you have a Blue Card, you can change employers more freely and after 18 months can even move to another EU country’s Blue Card. Family reunification: a big plus, if you have a work permit (non-seasonal) you can immediately sponsor your spouse and minor children to join you – no need to wait (except, as mentioned, the law now says you need 2 years residence to bring over parents or adult dependent children, but spouses/kids are exempt from that wait). Your spouse on a family permit can also work. So a single work visa could effectively bring the whole family if needed, making it a powerful option if achievable.
After 5 years of continuous work residence, you can get the EU long-term residence permit (provided you pass an Italian language A2 test and meet income threshold that year). That gives you permanent stay and some flexibility to work in other EU states. And as always, 10 years legal residence makes you eligible to apply for citizenship by naturalization (with language B1 requirement now). Italy in early 2025 talked about possibly reducing naturalization to 5 years for certain categories, but it’s not law yet; if that ever passes, work permit holders might get to apply for citizenship sooner.
Bottom Line: Getting a work visa for Italy can be tough for an individual, but not impossible. If you have Italian heritage and also a sought-after skillset, you might leverage connections or Italian language ability to land a job. It’s more common, however, for people to either come first via another route (study, spouse, etc.) and then find a job, or for those in fields like academia or tech to use the Blue Card. Seasonal work is comparatively easy to get if you’re willing to do agricultural or hospitality work – a few Italo-descendants have indeed done this to “get their foot in the door,” using seasonal gigs in Italy and then seeking longer options. Just be aware that a purely seasonal job won’t immediately put you on track to settle permanently; you would have to either convert it to another permit or go home and come back next year.
In any case, Italy’s quota system is evolving. In 2023, they introduced a 3-year quota plan and higher numbers to meet labor shortages. There is political will to simplify hiring of needed non-EU workers while still maintaining control. This could mean more opportunities in the coming years in sectors like caregiving (badante roles for an aging population), construction, and tech. If you’re set on Italy and have flexibility in the kind of work you can do, keep an eye on annual quota announcements and be ready to seize an offer.
Comparison of Italy Visa Options
To summarize the above routes, here’s a comparison of key criteria for each:
| Visa Route | Who’s eligible (typical profile)? | Financial requirements | Work allowed? | Difficulty level | Time to permanent residency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elective Residence (ERV) | Wealthy individuals, retirees (no work allowed). | ~€31,000/year passive income for single; ~€38k for couple; must own or rent home in Italy. | No (no employment in Italy) | Moderate–High (financial bar, consulate scrutiny). | 5 years (but must maintain income each year) to apply for long term residency; 10 years to citizenship. |
| Digital Nomad | Remote workers (employees or freelancers) with high income. | ~€25,000/year from remote work (e.g. €24,789 in 2024); plus 6+ months experience and proof of remote job. | Yes, but only remote for foreign employer (no local hire). | Moderate (clear criteria but new process; must prove professional status). | 5 years (continuous renewals); 10 years to citizenship. |
| Study Visa | Students (university or other studies). | Must show ability to support ~€6,000/year (lower for shorter courses); pay any tuition; acceptance to school. | Yes, part-time (20 hrs/week during term). | Low–Moderate (easy entry if admitted to school; conversion later is extra step). | Study years count half; after graduation can convert to work permit and then 5 years to LTR from that point. |
| Family Reunification | Spouses, minor children, dependent parents of Italians or residents. | Sponsor needs stable income (e.g. ≥ €8k/year) and housing; if sponsor is Italian/EU, no fixed income requirement for spouse/children. | Yes (family members can work with a family permit). | Low (if genuine relationship; bureaucratic but straightforward). | 5 years to LTR (or immediate citizenship in 2 years if spouse of Italian). |
| Self-Employment | Entrepreneurs, freelancers, professionals. | Varies by activity; e.g. proof of ~funds or income, viable business plan, For Startup Visa: €50k funding required | Yes (you work for your own business or clients). | Medium to High (bureaucracy, need Italian approvals, often limited quotas). Easier for the Startup Visa. | 5 years to LTR; 10 years to citizenship. (Startup founders also 5 years to LTR; no quota). |
| Work Visa (Employee) | Hired by Italian companies; seasonal workers. | Must have job offer; employer must meet salary standards (e.g. ≥ Italian minimum wage or sector contract). No specific $$ for applicant, but job must be full-time. | Yes (tied to sponsoring employer; can change jobs if permit allows). | High (need Italian employer and to fit quota; Blue Card easier for high-skilled). | 5 years to LTR; 10 years to citizenship. (Seasonal work permit itself doesn’t lead to LTR unless converted). |
(LTR = Long-Term Residence permit, i.e., permanent residency in Italy/EU)
As you can see, each option has trade-offs. The Elective visa is easiest on paperwork but hardest on bank balance. The work visa is conceptually straightforward (get a job) but practically limited by quotas and job market realities. Digital Nomad and Startup visas are new and attractive for certain profiles, whereas studying or having family ties can be a gentler introduction to life in Italy, though with more steps to stay long-term.
What Italy Could Learn from Other Countries: A Brief Comparison
Italy’s new citizenship reform comes just as other European countries are innovating with immigration pathways to attract talent and even reclaim their own emigrant descendants. Here’s how some notable EU countries handle similar situations, and what ideas Italy might glean from them:
- France – “Profession Libérale” Visa: France offers a long-stay visa for self-employed professionals (often called Profession Libérale). Its approach is quite pragmatic – you must prove you have or expect to earn at least the French minimum wage (~€18,000/year gross) from your business, and provide a business plan and any necessary qualifications. The process is generally not quota-limited and is handled by the consulate and local authorities. Essentially, if you can support yourself at a modest level and your business is viable, France lets you try. Many non-EU freelancers have used this to move to France. What Italy could learn: Italy’s equivalent (self-employment visa) is far more convoluted. Adopting a clearer income benchmark (like France’s one-SMIC rule) and removing or simplifying quotas could make Italy more attractive to one-person entrepreneurs. France’s system still checks viability, but it doesn’t demand extraordinary wealth – about €1,500/month income is enough – which is a lower bar than Italy’s Elective visa requiring ~€2,600/month with no work allowed. Italy could similarly empower local commerce chambers to approve viable freelance plans and welcome those who meet a reasonable income floor.
- Netherlands – DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty): The Netherlands has a unique treaty allowing U.S. (and similarly, Japanese) citizens to obtain residency by starting a small business. The requirement is basically to register a business and invest a nominal capital (just €4,500 in a Dutch business bank account). There’s no heavy vetting of business plans or income for DAFT applicants; it’s a friendship perk dating from 1950s treaties. The visa is easy to renew as long as that capital stays and the business is active. Spouses can work without restriction. What Italy could learn: While Italy obviously can’t replicate a treaty-based visa for all nationalities, it could introduce a low-bar “entrepreneur visa” for nationals of countries with historic Italian diaspora (like Argentina, Brazil, USA). For instance, allowing an Italo-descendant to start a small business in Italy with, say, a €5,000 or €10,000 investment, with a minimum residency requirement, and bypass the usual labor market tests would be comparable. This would acknowledge the special bond and encourage small entrepreneurship in Italy’s many depopulated towns. Even without limiting by nationality, simplifying the self-employment path akin to DAFT (minimal investment, quick process) would make Italy far more attractive to freelancers globally.
- Portugal – D7 Passive Income & Digital Nomad Visas: Portugal has been a darling for expats thanks to its flexible visa schemes. The D7 “passive income” visa only requires about €760 per month in stable income (roughly €9,120/year), which can be from pensions, rents, remote work, etc. and proof of savings for a year. It’s intended for retirees or others who can live on modest means. Portugal also launched a Digital Nomad (D8) visa that, similar to Italy’s, targets remote workers but with a clear rule: you must earn 4× Portugal’s minimum wage – that was €3,040/month in 2023, now about €3,480/month in 2025. Family can join, and the visa can convert to permanent residency after 5 years. What Italy could learn: Two things: accessibility and clarity. Portugal’s D7 shows that requiring only ~€9k/year makes it feasible for many pensioners or nomads to move, bringing investment and consumption into Portugal’s economy. Italy’s elective visa asks for three times as much and forbids working – an overkill that turns many away. Perhaps Italy could introduce its own version of D7 for those with smaller pensions or remote incomes – particularly targeting Italo-descendants who might not be rich but want to reconnect and will spend money locally. On the digital nomad front, Italy’s criteria (€25k/year) is in line with Portugal’s (€36k/year in 2025) in absolute terms, but Italy could improve clarity (Portugal explicitly ties it to 4× minimum wage, auto-adjusting each year). This makes the rule transparent and fair. Italy could also extend nomad visa durations (Portugal offers a temporary 1-year or a 2-year residency route, giving choice).
- Spain – Digital Nomad Visa & Non-Lucrative Visa: Spain recently (2023) rolled out a Startup Law that included a Digital Nomad visa. Their income requirement is 200% of Spain’s minimum wage, which in 2023 was about €2,334/month, and for 2024/25 around €2,760/month (after a minimum wage hike). They also require health insurance and a clean record, and the visa is 1 year extendable to 3, then 5. Spain also for years has had the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), akin to Italy’s elective residency, but the threshold is 400% of a smaller metric (IPREM), about €28,800/year for a single in 2025 – lower than Italy’s ~€32k, and crucially, Spain’s NLV (like Italy’s) disallows local work, but holders often work remotely unofficially. What Italy could learn: Spain’s digital nomad visa has a very similar logic to Italy’s but they nailed down dependent requirements clearly (+75% for first dependent, +25% per additional) and even adjusted when the minimum wage rose. For the non-lucrative/retiree visa, Spain’s slightly lower threshold and more flexible approach (they don’t demand you already own a home, for example) makes it more accessible – Italy could likewise ease the accommodation rule (e.g. allow a booked long-term Airbnb or family invitation for the visa stage, instead of insisting on a signed year lease). Spain also doesn’t outright forbid remote work on NLV (it’s a gray area with recent guidance allowing some remote work). Italy could consider permitting Elective residents to do non-Italian remote work, which would remove the dilemma for younger retirees who still consult online, etc.
- Others: Many other EU countries have interesting models. Germany has a well-known Freelancer (“Freiberufler”) Visa in Berlin for artists and professionals – basically you need letters from potential German clients and enough savings to not need public aid, and the city (note, the city) grants you a permit to freelance. It’s case-by-case but no numerical cap. Ireland has special ancestry permission: if you have an Irish grandparent, you can get Irish citizenship relatively straightforwardly by registering the birth – no need for a visa at all, and no apostilles and legalisations either! Italy could have done something similar, but they chose a different path. The UK (not EU now) long had a UK Ancestry Visa that allows Commonwealth citizens with a UK-born grandparent to live and work in the UK for 5 years, leading to settlement. Italy’s new law stops at parent/grandparent for citizenship, but perhaps they could consider a visa for 3rd, 4th generation Italian descendants to come for 5 years and then be eligible for naturalization – basically an ancestry visa. This would mimic the UK approach and salvage goodwill among the diaspora. Critically, these ancestry residency permits should be dealt with at the comune level, cutting out the overburdened Italian foreign embassies and consulate system.
Even Spain in 2022 passed the “Law of Democratic Memory” which granted Spanish citizenship to many grandchildren of exiles and migrants, reflecting a desire to reconnect with descendants abroad. It had a window of application and certain criteria, but tens of thousands in Latin America benefited. Italy instead shut the door on great-grandchildren in general.
What Italy Could Learn Overall
The common thread in many of these countries is flexibility and inclusivity. Easier financial requirements for those who bring their own money, clear paths for remote workers, and special consideration for cultural/ancestral ties. Italy’s citizenship reform, while addressing valid concerns (consulate overwhelm, security of a huge passport diaspora), might have swung the pendulum too far in excluding people with genuine Italian heritage who could contribute if given a chance. By studying these other models, Italy could implement secondary avenues: for instance, a special visa for Italian-origin individuals (the law’s promised work permit outside quota is a start, but the restriction to being an employee is an issue: Italian-descendants from North America and other OECD countries are unlikely to want to get a job on an Italian salary) with simpler terms, or adopting the “as long as you don’t become a burden” ethos of Portugal’s D7.
At the very least, Italy can simplify its own visa bureaucracy: digitize applications, publish transparent criteria (some of which they’re doing in 2025 citizenship reforms). Competing for global talent is a real challenge. Places like Portugal and Spain now actively court the same remote-working, roots-seeking individuals that Italy risks turning away. If Italy wants not to lose out, it should perhaps temper the restrictive citizenship stance with more welcoming immigration policies in parallel – especially aimed at those with Italian roots who are likely to integrate quickly.
Conclusion: Don’t Give Up
Italy’s post-2025 citizenship reform landscape is a mixed bag for Italian descendants. On one hand, the jus sanguinis reform has undeniably tightened the gates of citizenship, leaving many feeling cut off from a heritage they long claimed. On the other hand, Italy does provide a spectrum of other visas that, with patience and persistence, can lead you to the same goal: legally living in Italy, building your life there, and eventually (if you wish) becoming Italian through residency rather than blood.
For the readers of Magic Towns – often people with one foot in the old world and one in the new – the key message is: don’t despair. Your Italian journey might not be as straightforward as “apply at consulate, get passport” anymore, but it’s far from impossible. Whether you choose to retire under the Tuscan sun on a pension, work remotely from a Sicilian beach, enroll in an art school in Florence, start a café in your grandparents’ village, or get hired by a Milanese firm, there is a pathway for you. Each comes with bureaucracy – this is Italy, dopotutto – but also with the promise of la dolce vita if you succeed.
Italy, for its part, is at a crossroads: an aging population and regional labor shortages on one side, and a cautious approach to immigration on the other. The experiences of France, Portugal, Spain, and others show that welcoming foreign talent and diaspora can be a win-win – rejuvenating communities and economies while fulfilling personal dreams. Italy’s new special work permit for descendants and faster naturalization for second-generation residents are steps in the right direction. But there is room to be bolder: perhaps expanding visa options with lower income thresholds, or creating an Italian “ancestry visa” to give those with Italian lineage a temporary residency chance even if citizenship by blood is off the table.
In the end, if you carry Italy in your heart, there’s likely a way to carry yourself to Italy. It may require jumping through a few hoops and maybe a leap of faith. Yet, as many expats will attest, once you’re sipping an espresso in an ancient piazza or harvesting olives on your ancestor’s soil, those hurdles tend to fade into part of the adventure. Benvenuti in Italia – it might take paperwork to get there, but for many, it’s worth every effort. Safe travels and good luck with your Italian plans!
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