With Spain's golden visa closed and Portugal's nationality timeline in flux, Italy's investor visa is drawing renewed attention from HNW families planning their European residency structures for 2026 and beyond.
What this article covers:
- Why Italy's programme is gaining ground against Portugal and Greece
- The ETIAS timeline and why Schengen residency matters now
- Investment thresholds and the no-minimum-stay advantage
- How Marlow Bray approaches Italy residency planning
Italy as the Quiet Frontrunner in European Residency
Italy's investor visa programme has long been considered an underutilised option within the European residency by investment landscape. With entry thresholds starting at €250,000 for innovative start-up investment and €500,000 for established companies, it remains competitively priced against Greece's €400,000 property minimum and offers a meaningful alternative to Portugal's increasingly congested application pipeline.
The programme imposes no minimum stay requirement, a critical feature for globally mobile families managing multiple residences. As ETIAS mandatory enforcement approaches in October 2027, the value of holding EU residency is becoming increasingly concrete for non-EU nationals.
The Advisory Angle: Why Now Matters
The closure of Spain's golden visa and uncertainty around Portugal's nationality timelines have shifted the conversation among HNW clients who were previously committed to alternative European routes.
Italy now sits in a strong comparative position: lower entry cost than Greece, no legislative backlog, and a clear pathway to residency without lifestyle disruption. For clients who require visa-free Schengen movement ahead of the ETIAS rollout, Italy warrants serious consideration as a primary or complementary strategy.
Marlow Bray works with clients to assess European residency options against their broader mobility, tax, and legacy planning goals.
If Italy's investor visa may be relevant to your 2026 planning, we welcome a conversation with one of our advisers to explore how it fits within your wider structure.



















