Italy offers a residence route for investors that can lead to citizenship over many years. North Macedonia markets a faster citizenship by investment route whose delivery has been questioned. Here is how the two compare.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
These are two different outcomes. The Italy Investor Visa is a residence permit that lets you live in Italy and, in principle, naturalise much later. North Macedonia citizenship by investment offers a passport directly, but its delivery record is disputed.
The Italy route is run by the Investor Visa for Italy Committee at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The North Macedonia route sits with the Ministry of Interior. Always verify against those sources before acting.
Italy publishes set thresholds. You may invest from 250,000 euro into an eligible innovative Italian startup, 500,000 euro into an Italian limited company, 2 million euro in government bonds, or make a 1 million euro philanthropic donation. The investment is made only after approval.
For North Macedonia, marketed figures point to roughly 200,000 euro into an approved private investment fund or 400,000 euro as a direct investment, plus fees. Because the route is contested, treat these as indicative only. Confirm the current figure with the official authority.
Italy issues an initial permit for two years, renewable, with no minimum physical presence to renew. A path to Italian citizenship by naturalisation generally opens only after ten years of legal residence, subject to conditions.
North Macedonia is marketed as taking a few months to a passport, but that speed is exactly what is in question. Confirm the current figure with the official authority.
The Italy Investor Visa is a residence permit, not a passport. An Italian passport, available only after naturalisation, is among the strongest in the world for visa free travel.
A North Macedonian passport offers visa free or visa on arrival access to many countries and short stay access to the Schengen area. Confirm the current visa free list with the issuing authority before relying on it.
Italy suits someone who wants a credible, government run route into the European Union, is comfortable holding an investment, and is patient about citizenship. North Macedonia appeals to those who want a passport quickly, but the unresolved questions about delivery make independent guidance important before any commitment.
| Item | Italy Investor Visa | North Macedonia Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Residence permit, renewable | Citizenship and passport |
| Indicative entry | From 250,000 euro startup, 500,000 euro company, 2 million euro bonds, or 1 million euro donation | Reported 200,000 euro fund or 400,000 euro direct investment, plus fees. Confirm the current figure with the official authority |
| Official authority | Investor Visa for Italy Committee | Ministry of Interior |
| Status | Open | Contested. Confirm current status |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Italy: Investor Visa for Italy Committee at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. North Macedonia: Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia. publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. It is a residence permit. Italian citizenship is a separate, much later step, generally after ten years of legal residence and subject to conditions set by the authorities.
It is contested. Independent reporting questions how many passports have actually been issued. Verify the current position with the Ministry of Interior before committing any funds.
Use the Investor Visa for Italy Committee for Italy and the Ministry of Interior for North Macedonia. Programmes, costs and rules change, so check the current figures and request matched, independent guidance.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.
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