Residency & Legal Pathways
Guidance on visas, residency, and dual citizenship in Italy, with Viaita’s in-house Italian legal counsel involved throughout the process.
Why Legal Planning Matters Early
Whether you are pursuing dual citizenship, applying for a visa, or planning to stay in Italy long-term, understanding the legal requirements early matters. They can affect how long you can stay, what you are permitted to do, and which steps need to happen before or after you arrive. Knowing that upfront can help you avoid making commitments before you understand what your options allow.
CHIAREZZA — FROM THE START
How It Works
Here’s what you can expect when you work with Viaita on a visa, residency, or citizenship matter.
STEP 1:
Welcome Call
We talk through what you are trying to do, your timing, and any concerns so we can understand your situation and where to begin.
STEP 2:
Your Legal Plan
​We outline the path forward, what Viaita will handle, what documents or information are needed, and how our in-house Italian legal counsel will be involved.
STEP 3:
We Move It Forward
Viaita carries out the agreed work, stays involved through the process, and keeps you informed as the matter progresses.
Pathways We Support
Viaita works with clients on a range of visa, residency, and citizenship matters in Italy, including:
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Dual Citizenship, Including Jure Sanguinis​
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Elective Residence Visa
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Digital Nomad & Remote Worker Visas
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Investor Visa for Italy (“Golden Visa”)
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Work-Related Visas, Including Athletic Opportunities
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Family-Based Visas
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Student Visas
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Depending on your circumstances, Viaita can also assist with post-arrival requirements and administrative steps, including the permesso di soggiorno and codice fiscale.
The path that applies to you depends on your circumstances and the requirements of the consulate or authority handling your case. Other visa and residency options may also be available.
What Viaita Handles Along the Way
Once your path is identified, Viaita helps manage the details that come with it, from preparing documents and tracking requirements to working with our in-house Italian legal counsel and keeping you informed as your case moves forward.
01
DOCUMENTS & PREPARATION
We help you gather and organize the documents required for your case and identify what may still be needed before legal review or filing.
02
​CONSULATE, COURT & LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
Requirements can vary depending on the consulate, court, or Italian authority handling your case. We help you understand what applies to your situation and prepare accordingly.
03
​TIMING & DEADLINES
We keep track of appointments, filing windows, document validity, and other dates that can affect the process.
04
​IN-HOUSE ITALIAN LEGAL COUNSEL
Viaita’s in-house Italian legal counsel is involved throughout the legal work. When additional expertise is required, licensed Italian attorneys through Studio Legale Internazionale are brought in as needed.
05
​KEEPING YOU INFORMED
We keep track of what has been completed, what is still outstanding, and what happens next, so you are not left wondering where things stand.
Viaita is not a law firm. Legal services are provided by licensed Italian counsel.
Important Legal Considerations
Your visa, residency, or citizenship matter may be only one part of your legal needs in Italy.
Depending on your circumstances, other legal questions may come up around property, contracts, inheritance, estate planning, or disputes. Viaita’s in-house Italian legal counsel can advise on these matters and involve additional licensed Italian attorneys through Studio Legale Internazionale when the situation requires it.
Property Purchases & Transactions
Legal review can be important before you commit to a property purchase or sale. Our in-house counsel can review contracts and related documents, identify legal concerns, and work with the notary and other professionals involved in the transaction.
Contracts & Disputes
If a contract, property matter, or professional relationship in Italy becomes a concern, our in-house counsel can review the issue, explain the legal considerations, and advise on the next steps that may be available.
Inheritance & Estate Planning
Living in Italy, owning property there, or having family ties to Italy can raise questions about inheritance and estate planning. These issues may need to be considered alongside any planning already in place in the U.S.
Other Legal Matters in Italy
Not every legal issue fits neatly into a visa, property, or inheritance category. When another civil or administrative matter arises, Viaita can help identify what kind of legal assistance is needed and involve the appropriate attorney when necessary.
Emergency Assistance & Repatriation Coordination
While rare, a death in Italy can leave families dealing with unfamiliar documentation, local authorities, consular requirements, and arrangements for returning remains or cremated remains to the U.S.
Viaita works directly with KRS, Inc. International Funeral Shipping and Nancy R. Lepore, a repatriation specialist who splits her time between Italy and the United States, bringing both professional expertise and firsthand experience to this work.
KRS handles the specialized documentation and logistics required for international repatriation, working with local authorities, consular offices, funeral homes, and transportation providers. Viaita remains involved to help the family understand what is happening and who is handling each part.
Italian Citizenship by Descent After the 2025 Reform:
What Families Should Know Now
For families exploring iure sanguinis, or Italian citizenship by descent, the 2025 reform brought major changes and uncertainty for many applicants. Since then, court developments have raised new questions and made it even more important to look carefully at each family line before assuming eligibility.
