The elective residency visa (ERV) allows non-EU nationals to live in Italy without working or carrying out any professional activities by demonstrating that they have sufficient financial means to support themselves and any dependent minors.
Since holders can’t work in Italy, it's a particularly popular option among non-EU retirees who can live off their pension, though anyone receiving a passive income is eligible to apply.
The visa is initially valid for one or two years but can be repeatedly renewed as long as you continue to meet the requirements, making it a path to permanent residency.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How to apply for permanent residency in Italy
To be eligible, you need private health insurance, proof of accommodation in Italy, and proof that you’re able to support yourself through passive income.
This might be through rent from abroad, pensions or savings, though the latter must be received in the form of a continual income stream (simply having a large sum of money sitting in your bank account won’t count).
The visa allows you to apply as a married couple and bring minor children with you, providing you have the financial means to support them.
You must demonstrate a minimum annual income of €31,000 per person, or €38,000 joint income per married couple, plus an additional five percent per dependent minor.
READ ALSO: Five expert tips for getting your Italian elective residency visa approved
But what if you’re a non-married couple who wants to make a joint application?
Unfortunately, Italy isn’t as progressive as Spain when it comes to these matters.
“Each individual must apply for their own independent visa as an independent applicant,” meaning “each of them would need to meet the required threshold (€31,000 or more),” says Italian immigration lawyer Nick Metta.
“If they share assets as joint owners and/or income (for example they own the same rental property/properties that they rent out for passive income), each of them must include full documentation about it in their respective application.”
So if you’re a long-term couple but aren’t legally married, you’ll have to apply separately.
If you're basing your application on joint assets, you'll need to make sure there's enough money coming in to allow each of you to individually meet the threshold.
"If a non-married couple owns a rented apartment, and that is all they have as passive income, the shared asset must show an annual income stream of at least €62,000 in order for both visa applications to be accepted," says Metta.
It’s important to bear in mind, however, that while €31,000 is the government’s minimum income threshold, individual Italian consulates can choose to set much higher limits – sometimes even three or four times this amount.
"In reality, a consulate would unlikely issue the visa for an applicant whose only passive income was real estate rental income barely matching the threshold," Metta adds.
"Consulates often ask for some source of income that is more reliable, like annuities, government pension, social security, etc."
As part of their near-total discretion over the process, consulates also don’t have to accept your application just because you meet their income requirements.
For this reason, immigration lawyers The Local has interviewed in the past have recommended including a letter of motivation laying out exactly why you want to move to Italy in your application.
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