In order to open a startup in Italy and apply for a Startup Visa, the following requirements must be met:

• the startup must have been operating for no more than 4 years;
• the main place of operation is in Italy;
• the turnover must not exceed €5 million;
• does not participate in profits;
• must not be formed by merger or branch of another company;
• must meet at least 1 of the following criteria:
  • at least 15% of expenses are devoted to research and development activities;
  • at least 1/3 of the team is composed of Ph.D. students, Ph.D. students, or personnel who have conducted research activities for at least 3 years or, alternatively, 2/3 is composed of personnel with a master's degree;
  • owner, custodian or licensee of patent of an industrial nature or software registered with the SIAE.

It can be conducted entirely in English. Application forms, information materials, and customer support services, both as well as the program website itself, are offered in English. This is to facilitate applicants who are not fluent in Italian;

The online procedure for the Italian Startup Visa

The Ministry of Economic Development website has a full presentation on how to acquire innovative startup status and all the benefits to this type of activity (Innovative Startup).

It can be conducted entirely in English. Application forms, information materials, and customer support services, both as well as the program website itself, are offered in English. This is to facilitate applicants who are not fluent in Italian;

The procedure is entirely centralized. A single administration (the Ministry of Economic Development, specifically the Directorate General for Industrial Policy, Competitiveness and SMEs, where the Program Secretariat resides), handles communication with the other administrations involved (central police offices, consular representations abroad). It also serves as a single point of contact for applicants;

It is promptly completed. The Certificate of No Impediment for the issuance of a visa is normally issued within 30 days of the submission of the application.

Once the clearance is issued, you must apply for a Visa at the appropriate Embassy or Consulate. Within 8 days of your arrival in Italy, you must also submit your application for a residence permit to the relevant authorities.

Hub for Startups in Italy

With the Introduction of the Hub for Startups Italy in 2014, the possibility of applying for a Startup Visa in Italy was also extended to those who are already living in Italy or have a residence permit for other reasons, and which can be converted to one for startups, without having to leave the country.
In order to convert the residence permit you have, you must obtain a certificate of no impediment (generally issued within 20 days of application), and then apply for conversion at post offices.