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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Italy · Residence permit

How a 250 000 € Investment in an Innovative Startup Secured Italian Residence Permit with Minimum Threshold

Not everyone seeking Italian residence has two million available for government bonds—but the program is structured to allow entry at significantly lower amounts. The lowest threshold is offered through innovative startups: 250 000 euros instead of millions. Our client sought precisely the most cost-effective entry point. This is a straightforward case regarding accessible threshold requirements. We explain how we selected the startup and secured the status.

Anna KovalevskayaAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGESReading time8 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How a 250 000 € Investment in an Innovative Startup Secured Italian Residence Permit with Minimum Threshold
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor with Optimal Budget, from Minsk
Objective
Italian Residence Permit with Minimum Investment Threshold
Program
Italy, Investment Residence Permit (Investor Visa for Italy)
Key Considerations
Selection of the pathway with the lowest threshold
Threshold
250 000 € in an innovative startup registered in the official registry
Solution
Startup selection and due diligence + investment
Result
Italian Residence Permit at Minimum Investment

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The client wanted an Italian residence permit but approached the budget rationally: he had no desire to invest two million in government bonds or half a million in a company when a more accessible pathway existed. He sought the optimal entry point by investment amount without overpaying for status.

Why the standard route did not work

The Italian investment residence permit is ideal for this purpose: the program offers several thresholds for different budgets, and the lowest is an investment of 250 000 euros in an innovative startup registered in a special registry. This is four times less than the company threshold and significantly less than government bonds.

What BRIDGES had to solve

A low threshold does not mean simplified project due diligence: the startup must genuinely qualify as innovative and be registered, and it should be thoroughly reviewed before investment. In other words, the pathway is accessible in terms of amount but requires thoughtful project selection, not investment in the first available "startup."

Why a standard answer would not do

The client came to BRIDGES to enter the program at the optimal threshold intelligently: to select an innovative startup that qualifies and has been vetted, and to secure residence permit status through it for 250 000 euros.

I did not understand why I should invest millions. Irena showed the route through an innovative startup for 250 thousand and checked it. Italian residence with the minimum investment.

Artem · InvestorThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Key Considerations

Key Considerations

There was no threat of capital loss here—the task was optimal and thoughtful entry. The low threshold is attractive, but a startup requires greater attention to the project: it must qualify as innovative and be registered, and it should be verified before investment. The mistake here would be to be tempted by the amount and invest in a project that does not qualify or is unreliable.

That 250 000 € is the lowest threshold among program options

  1. 01That the startup must be registered in the innovative startup registry
  2. 02Genuine qualification of the project as innovative
  3. 03Due diligence of the startup before investment
  4. 04Model of "approval first, then investment"

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    We established priority on the optimal threshold. First, we clarified that the client wanted to enter at a reasonable amount without overpaying for status. This pointed to the lowest threshold route - innovative startup, rather than bonds or company investment.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    We explained the low threshold condition. We emphasized that the accessible amount comes with careful attention to the project: the startup must qualify as innovative and be in the registry. Lower cost does not mean easier selection of the investment object.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We selected a startup from the innovative startups registry. We identified a project actually registered in the special registry and qualifying under the program, eliminating anything merely called a startup but not meeting the criteria.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We verified the project before investment. Before committing EUR 250,000, we verified the startup: its registry status, innovative component, and reliability. A low threshold is not a reason to invest blindly.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We executed the investment under the "approval - investment" model. We proceeded with the Investor Visa route: obtained approval, then made the investment in the startup. The optimal amount became the legal basis for status.

Takeaway. Conclusion: the program's lowest threshold is EUR 250,000 in an innovative startup from the registry. The accessible amount does not preclude considered selection and project verification before investment.

How we handled the matter

How we handled the matter

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    We established priority on the optimal threshold

    First, we clarified that the client wanted to enter at a reasonable amount without overpaying for status. This pointed to the lowest threshold route - innovative startup, rather than bonds or company investment.

  2. 02

    We explained the low threshold condition

    We emphasized that the accessible amount comes with careful attention to the project: the startup must qualify as innovative and be in the registry. Lower cost does not mean easier selection of the investment object.

  3. 03

    We selected a startup from the innovative startups registry

    We identified a project actually registered in the special registry and qualifying under the program, eliminating anything merely called a startup but not meeting the criteria.

  4. 04

    We verified the project before investment

    Before committing EUR 250,000, we verified the startup: its registry status, innovative component, and reliability. A low threshold is not a reason to invest blindly.

  5. 05

    We executed the investment under the "approval - investment" model

    We proceeded with the Investor Visa route: obtained approval, then made the investment in the startup. The optimal amount became the legal basis for status.

  6. 06

    We completed the residence permit issuance at the minimum threshold

    The client obtained Italian residence permit status by investing the most accessible amount available under the program. The status cost him optimally, and the project selection was considered and verified.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01We established priority on the optimal threshold
  2. 02We explained the low threshold condition
  3. 03We selected a startup from the innovative startups registry
  4. 04We verified the project before investment
  5. 05We executed the investment under the "approval - investment" model
  6. 06We completed the residence permit issuance at the minimum threshold

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

I am often asked whether it is necessary to invest millions for Italian residence permit. No - and this is good news for those with a reasonable but not unlimited budget. The program has several thresholds, and the lowest is for innovative startups: EUR 250,000 versus EUR 2 million for government bonds. The difference is substantial. But I always add an important caveat: the low threshold comes with careful attention to the project. The startup must genuinely qualify as innovative and be in the registry, and it must be verified before investment. Being tempted by the amount and investing in the first so-called "startup" you find - that is the real mistake. With this client, we selected a verified innovative startup from the registry and arranged entry at the optimal amount. He obtained status without overpaying. An accessible threshold is excellent if you approach project selection wisely.

Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGESAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Optimal threshold
Route through innovative startup · Entry at EUR 250,000
Avoid blind investment
Registry-based selection + verification · Qualified project
Execute investment
"Approval - investment" model · Legal basis for residence permit
Obtain status
Program application · Italian residence permit
Obtain status
Program application · Italian residence permit

What was needed: client wanted Italian residence permit at an optimal amount without overpaying millions for status. What we did: established priority on optimal threshold; explained the low threshold condition; selected a startup from the registry; verified the project; executed the investment; completed residence permit issuance at the minimum threshold. What the client obtained: Italian residence permit with EUR 250,000 investment.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: the program's lowest threshold is EUR 250,000 in an innovative startup from the registry. The accessible amount does not preclude considered selection and project verification before investment.
  • The client entered the program at the optimal amount without blind risk - because we selected a qualifying startup from the registry and verified it before the funds were transferred.
  • An innovative start-up from €250,000 is the most affordable route to Italian investor residence. We will look at what suits you.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01What is the minimum threshold for investment residence permit in Italy?

The lowest threshold is EUR 250,000 in an innovative startup registered in the special registry. This is four times lower than the company investment threshold and significantly lower than government bonds.

02How does the startup route differ in terms of risk?

The low threshold comes with careful attention to the project: a startup carries more risk than bonds, so it is important that it qualifies as innovative and is verified before investment.

03What startup qualifies under the program?

One registered in the innovative startups registry and genuinely qualifying as innovative under the criteria. It is insufficient for the project simply to be called a startup.

04Is it necessary to verify a startup before investing?

It is mandatory. A low investment threshold is not a reason to invest blindly: before making an investment, the project's registry status, innovation potential, and reliability are verified.

05When is the investment made in a startup?

Under the Investor Visa model, approval (Nulla Osta) is obtained first, and only then is the investment made in the startup. This reduces capital risk.

06Which documents were key in this case?

We established priority on the optimal threshold. First, we clarified that the client wanted to enter at a reasonable amount without overpaying for status. This pointed to the lowest threshold route - innovative startup, rather than bonds or company investment. We explained the low threshold condition. We emphasized that the accessible amount comes with careful attention to the project: the startup must qualify as innovative and be in the registry. Lower cost does not mean easier selection of the investment object.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

The Italian investment residence permit is ideal for this purpose: the program offers several thresholds for different budgets, and the lowest is an investment of 250 000 euros in an innovative startup registered in a special registry. This is four times less than the company threshold and significantly less than government bonds.

About the author

Anna Kovalevskaya

Author: Anna Kovalevskaya

Head of Legal, BRIDGES

I have worked with citizenship and residency matters in European countries for 12 years. Programme requirements and application practices change, so I assess each matter against the current rules, the applicant's immigration history, family composition and the documents supporting the legal basis for the application.

I lead matters from the preliminary assessment through to the grant of status. In complex situations, I identify the circumstances that may affect the review, establish the legal logic of the application and oversee the consistency of the supporting documents at every stage.

During the consultation, you will receive an assessment of the available legal grounds, a clear understanding of the chosen route and a list of issues that should be resolved before filing. Once the engagement begins, I oversee the application and the key decisions of the BRIDGES team.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.