Residence permits for financially independent individuals: France or Italy? Expert analysis from our team at IST Hungary.

Choosing a place to relocate is about choosing a lifestyle, not just a country. France offers digital flexibility, while Italy offers stability for permanent residence.

For affluent individuals wishing to move to Europe based on passive income, France and Italy offer special residency programs – the Carte de Séjour Visiteur and the Residenza Elettiva (Elective Residence Visa), respectively. However, there are practical differences that determine which country is the right fit for you.

As an international consulting company, IST Hungary assists clients in both jurisdictions and is ready to share a detailed comparison based on the current legislative practice of 2025.

Key Requirements: A Detailed Comparison

For a quick understanding of the core differences between the programs, consider the following criteria:

Income Requirements

• France: From €2,000 per month per person.
• Italy: From €32,000 per year per person.

Required Savings

• France: Recommended from €30,000 in an account.
• Italy: Often required to demonstrate significant savings in addition to regular income.

Required Accommodation

• France: Rental or purchase agreement.
• Italy: Long-term rental contract or proof of ownership.

Health Insurance

• France: A policy covering the entire stay is mandatory for the visa.
• Italy: Mandatory for obtaining the residence permit.

Income Verification Period

• France: Proof of regular income, typically for the last few months.
• Italy: Proof of stable income, often for several years.

Possibility of Remote Work

• France: Remote work for a foreign employer or freelance activity is permitted.
• Italy: Not permitted. Remote work is a basis for the separate Digital Nomad Visa.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

• France: After 5 years of temporary residence.
• Italy: After 5 years of continuous residence.

What Qualifies as Passive Income?

Both countries accept income from foreign sources: rental income, dividends, interest from deposits, royalties, pensions.

Key Difference: In France, income from remote work (freelancing, contract with a foreign company) can also be considered for the Visiteur visa. In Italy, the Residenza Elettiva program is strictly for passive income, while remote workers must apply for the separate Digital Nomad visa.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining Status

The processes in the two countries are structurally different at all stages, which is important to consider when planning.

For France (Visa de Long Séjour Visiteur):

1. Visa D Application. Submitted at the French consulate in the country of residence. The document package includes proof of income, accommodation, insurance, a written commitment not to work in the French labor market, and more.
2. Entry and Validation. After receiving the visa, it is necessary to enter France and validate it with the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) within a specified period.
3. Obtaining and Renewing the Residence Permit. 2-4 months before the visa expires, an application for a multi-year Carte de Séjour Visiteur is submitted at the local prefecture, and subsequently, for its renewal.

For Italy (Residenza Elettiva):

1. National Visa D Application. A similar document package is submitted in person at the Italian consulate. The consular fee is €116.
2. Entry and Residence Permit Application. After entering with the national visa, the applicant has 8 days to apply in person for the residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) at the local police headquarters (Questura).
3. Receiving the Card. Processing takes up to 60 days. During this period, a temporary receipt (Ricevuta) is issued, confirming the legality of stay.

Program Comparison: Flexibility vs. Stability

Based on our experience in France and Italy, the key philosophical differences between the programs can be summarized as follows:

France – A Program for the Digital Age:

• Flexibility. No strict requirements for minimum continuous stay in the country during the first year.
• Development Opportunities. The visiteur status can later be converted into other types of residence permits, e.g., for entrepreneurial activity.
• Favorable towards Remote Workers. The ability to live legally in France while earning income from remote work.
• Complex Renewals. Each renewal essentially involves a new, full review of the entire document package.

Italy – A Program for a Permanent Home:

• Stability and Predictability. Once the residence permit is obtained, renewals are simpler provided the rules are followed.
• Clear Rules. Mandatory residence in the country for at least 183 days per year to maintain status and subsequently qualify for permanent residence.
• Tax Advantages. New tax residents can opt for a flat tax regime of €200,000 per year on worldwide income for up to 15 years.
• Bureaucracy. All stages require personal presence at various institutions (post office, questura).
• Strict Framework. The Residenza Elettiva status cannot be converted into a work permit. It is designed specifically for living on passive income.

Expert Conclusion and Recommendations from IST Hungary

Choosing between France and Italy is a choice between approach and long-term goals.

• Choose France if you value digital services and administrative flexibility, plan to spend time outside the EU, do not rule out starting a business in Europe in the future, or if part of your income comes from remote employment.
• Choose Italy if your goal is stable and permanent residence in a country with a rich culture, you are prepared for in-person interaction with bureaucracy, and your income is exclusively passive. The program is particularly advantageous for individuals with very high incomes who can benefit from the fixed tax regime.

Our offices and lawyers are located in both Italy and France. This allows us not only to provide up-to-date consultations but also to offer full turnkey support: from helping to gather documents and checking them against the unofficial requirements of consulates to organizing the relocation and resolving tax matters on the ground.

If you are facing this choice or are ready to start the residence permit application process for France or Italy, please contact our experts. We will help you objectively assess your situation and choose the optimal path to European residency.

📍Our office in France: 81 Rue de France, 06000 Nice, France

📍Our office in Italy: Via Nino Bixio, 31, 20129 Milano MI, Italy