To obtain this type of residency, based on your professional and academic background and in accordance with Italian government standards, we prepare a business plan demonstrating that the business you intend to establish in Italy will have a positive impact on the local and national economy. The plan will properly outline all details related to budget, costs, human resources, marketing, and sales for the first three years of operation.
After approval by the relevant authorities in Italy, we will obtain your residence authorization, and a Type D visa for this category will be issued by the Italian Embassy in Iran. Once you arrive in Italy, your residence card will be obtained, your company will be registered, and your intended business activity will be launched.
Note: In Italy, there are different types of companies available for registration, mainly differing in terms of required initial investment, level of liability, and the ability to trade shares on the stock exchange. An SRL (Società a Responsabilità Limitata) is a limited liability company and is the most common and suitable company type in Italy for small and medium-sized businesses. The minimum required capital for registration is €10,000. This type of company is the recommended and most suitable option for clients.
Benefits of self-employed residency in Italy
- Long-term legal residency in the European Union: You live and work legally in Italy, and after a few years you may receive permanent residency and then citizenship.
- Business and Financial Independence: You can act as freelancers or business owner without an employer’s affiliation. With full freedom to choose projects, customers and how to manage revenue.
- Renewed and converted to permanent residency: If the active stays, it can be renewed every year. After five years of legal residency and tax payments, you can apply for permanent residency (Carta di soggiorno). After 10 years, you can apply for Italian citizenship.
- Free travel in the Schengen Area: With Italian residency you can travel to all Schengen Area countries (29 European countries) without a visa requirement.
- The right to use public and social services: after getting a residency card, you can access the following services: the state health system (registered in ssn) – insurance and retirement services (in case of inps payments) – free education in universities
- family companionship: after a while you can apply for a visa or family residence (ricongiungischeo familiare). your husband and children under the age of 18 will be able to join you.
- Access to the European labour market: If your activity is successful, you can develop your business to other European countries or have international activities in the future.
- The relatively lower cost of living compared to other Western European countries: the cost of living in the middle cities of Italy, such as Bologna, Turin, or the burden of cities like Paris, Amsterdam or Berlin is lower.
- Opportunities for professional growth in diverse cultural space: Italy is a country with a diverse economy, tourism market and art, fashion industry, food and design. For entrepreneurs, there are many opportunities for international cooperation.
Conditions for Italian self-employed residency
* Preparation of a Business Plan or Professional Contract: A Business Plan for establishing a company, or a professional service contract with an Italian company to carry out professional projects (for example, in IT, design, etc.).
* Company Registration or Obtaining Authorization from Relevant Italian Authorities: Depending on the type of activity you intend to carry out.
* Having a Registered Residence in Italy: Property purchase documents or a rental agreement valid for at least one year.
* No Criminal Record: Submission of a police clearance certificate.
* Sufficient Income and Capital: Having at least €100,000 in an Iranian bank account to cover business start-up costs as well as living expenses in Italy for the first two years.
* Work Experience: At least three years of relevant work experience related to the activity you plan to establish in Italy.
* Note: Proficiency in Italian or English at B1 or B2 level is considered an important advantage and facilitates the residency process.
* Note: Holding a university degree is a significant advantage but not a mandatory requirement.
The process of action and obtaining Italian self-employed residency
Consulting with PAREX and checking your conditions for this type of residence
Examining your goals and plans for Italian residency as well as exploring your career and academic record and financial ability and providing accurate advice and information about the fit of this program with your circumstances and goals.
First stepPreparing documents for obtaining an invitation as well as a residence visa
The most important is an accurate and realistic business or a work contract with the Italian company (in case of freelance activity) and job documents.
Second phaseGet an Activity Permit (Nulla Osta)
Like activity permit, tax code, social insurance registration.Stage 3Visa Application from the Italian Embassy
The visa issuance process lasts between one and two months. Fifth phaseEntry to Italy and Application of the Residence Card (Permesso di Soggiorno)
To receive a residency card in Questura during the first week of entry to Italy. Stage 6Fingerprinting at the Questura.
Have your fingerprints taken at the Questura and receive your family residence card within 30 days. Seventh stageDocuments required for self-employed residency in Italy
- Passport with at least 2 years of validity for the applicant
- Original and translated power of attorney authorizing the Parks company lawyer to handle the applicant’s residency procedures
- Preparation of a feasibility study (Business Plan) for the intended activity in Italy (prepared by Parks)
- Preparation of a CV and personal profile of the main applicant, spouse, and children
- Translation of all educational, professional, and specialized documents
- Passport with at least 2 years of validity for the applicant
- Copy of passport and copies of previous Schengen visas
- Original and Italian translation of the applicant’s birth certificate
- Visa application form and 2 color photographs
- Proof of financial means and bank statements for a period of 6 to 12 months
- Nulla Osta authorization issued by the Italian government for residency approval
- Documents related to professional background and tax payments
- Proof of accommodation: Documents related to renting or purchasing a residence in Italy
- One-way flight reservation
To apply for a Self-Employment Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Autonomo) in Italy, after entering with a Type D visa and receiving the Nulla Osta, you must, within 8 working days of arrival, visit the post office or immigration office to officially submit your residence permit application. Below are the required documents for applying for the self-employment residence card in Italy:
- Original passport and copy, along with a copy of the residence visa
- Residence permit application form (a package known as the Kit Giallo)
- Rental agreement or property ownership deed in Italy
- Documents related to one-year health insurance coverage
- Copy of the Nulla Osta
- Professional and business documents: Italian company registration certificate, certificate of membership in the Chamber of Commerce, and tax code
- Bank documents: Proof of funds in Italy with a minimum balance of €28,500 to cover first-year living and business start-up expenses
Feasibility Study or Business Plan
The Three Core Principles of a Business Plan
* We must demonstrate that the project, in addition to covering all your personal and business expenses, will generate benefits for both you and Italy.
* Proof of your technical and managerial skills, as well as your language proficiency, to successfully manage your company.
* Proof that all initial start-up costs for establishing the company are fully secured.
Key Sections of a Business Plan
* The name and core idea of the proposed project
* A complete introduction to the activity and presentation of your product or services in the market
* The needs of the Italian market for your product or service
* The required investment amount and your plan for securing it
* Your advertising and marketing strategy
* Information about the number and type of target customers and market expansion plans
* Explanation of the project’s connection to technology and innovation
* Sales forecasts for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year periods
Costs for applying for self-employment residency in Italy
- PAREX service fee for receiving the applicant's residence permit
- Travel costs to Italy (including flights, hotels, transfers to the destination city)
- Costs related to purchasing or renting a property, including: security deposit, monthly rent, and real estate agency commission.
- Government payments such as insurance and stamps = approximately €500 per person.
- Document translation and Italian embassy certification fees = approximately €300 to €700.
- Italian embassy visa stamp fee = €116 per person.
- To register a company with the Chamber of Commerce, your company account must have €10,000.
Residence of the spouse and children of an applicant for self-employment residence in Italy
- The main applicant’s residence permit in Italy must be issued.
- Having sufficient income according to Italian living standards to cover all family expenses.
- Having suitable accommodation in Italy: providing a rental agreement or property deed; the residence must meet health standards and have enough space for all family members.
How to obtain residence for family members
First method
Second method
Family reunification residency for the parents of the main applicant
For parents over 65 years old: Residency for accompanying parents over 65 can be obtained in 2 cases. If the parents do not have any other child in your country to take care of them, or if the son or daughter who is with the parents in your country has a serious and severe illness themselves.
For parents under 65 years old: If the parents are financially dependent on you for their living expenses and do not have any other child in their own country.
Extending self-employed residency in Italy
- Have real and continuous economic activity
- Prove income from your job in Italy: Minimum income for the main applicant 8,500 euros and for each family member 4,000 euros.
- Provide tax records from the previous year
- Have valid health insurance
- Reside in Italy.
Timeline for obtaining Italian self-employment residency
Overall, the timeline for obtaining self-employment residency in Italy varies depending on the status of the documents, the destination city, and the response time of the relevant authorities. The entire process, from start to receiving the residency card, consists of 2 main stages:
- Process inside your country: From start to receiving the residency visa while the applicant is in a country, which takes 3 to 5 months
- Process inside Italy: From the applicant’s entry into Italy until receiving the residency card.
The approximate time for each stage is as follows:
4Travel to Italy and obtaining the residency cardApplication for residency card and fingerprint registration at the Questura2 to 4 months
| Row | Various stages | Explanations | Approximate time |
| 1 | Preparation of applicant’s documents | Official translation of the applicant’s documents and power of attorney with confirmation from the Italian embassy | 1 to 2 months |
| 2 | Application for permit (Nulla Osta) from the Italian government | Thorough review of documents by the Italian government for issuing the permit | 2 to 3 months |
| 3 | Obtaining visa from the Italian embassy | Requesting an embassy appointment and submitting the visa application | 1 to 2 months |
Obtaining permanent residence with self-employment residence in Italy
Citizenship and passport with self-employment residency in Italy