How the €300,000 flat tax works
Italy's Art. 24-bis regime (the "regime dei nuovi residenti") lets someone who becomes an Italian tax resident — and who was not resident in Italy for at least 9 of the previous 10 years — pay a fixed annual substitute tax on all foreign-source income, no matter how large that income is.
- €300,000/year for elections from 1 January 2026 (2026 Budget Law, Law No. 199 of 30 Dec 2025), up from €200,000.
- +€50,000/year per qualifying family member who joins (up from €25,000).
- Lasts up to 15 years; the amount is locked in at your entry level (grandfathering).
- Also exempts foreign assets from Italian wealth taxes (IVIE/IVAFE) and foreign-asset reporting (Form RW).
Italian-source income is excluded — it is always taxed under normal IRPEF. One carve-out: capital gains on qualified shareholdings sold in the first 5 years are taxed ordinarily (26%), not covered by the flat tax.
Break-even: when does it pay off?
The flat tax replaces what you'd otherwise pay in progressive IRPEF on that foreign income. Italy's 2026 IRPEF brackets are:
- 23% up to €28,000
- 33% from €28,001 to €50,000 (cut from 35% by the 2026 Budget Law)
- 43% above €50,000
Because the marginal rate maxes out at 43%, ordinary tax only reaches €300,000 at roughly €716,000 of foreign income for a single filer. Below that, ordinary IRPEF is usually cheaper on the income alone — but the flat tax also removes wealth taxes and reporting, which can tip the balance for asset-heavy profiles. This calculator compares income tax only; factor in IVIE/IVAFE separately.
How to opt in: steps, ruling & the 30 June payment (2026)
Art. 24-bis is elected through your Italian tax return — there is no separate "application form". The advance ruling is optional but widely used, and the whole regime hinges on paying the lump sum on time each year.
Key steps & deadlines
| Step / Item | When |
|---|---|
| Advance ruling (interpello) — optional | Before / after move |
| Option in tax return (Modello Redditi PF) | Year 1 or year 2 |
| Lump-sum payment via F24 | By 30 June, every year |
| Substitute tax (2026 elections) | €300,000 + €50,000/member |
The "fee" is the substitute tax itself — there is no separate filing fee. Use the calculator above to see whether it beats ordinary IRPEF on your foreign income.
How long does the ruling take?
An interpello reply is generally issued within about 120 days; if information is missing, you have 30 days to supplement it. Because the option is made in the return and the tax is due by 30 June, plan the ruling well ahead. The regime can also be exited voluntarily at any time, but once you leave you cannot re-enter.
Documents to prepare
- Codice fiscale and proof of Italian tax residence.
- Evidence of non-residence for 9 of the previous 10 years.
- Eligibility checklist for the interpello (if filed).
- Details of any family members joining and countries to exclude.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies?
Anyone becoming an Italian tax resident who was not resident in Italy for at least 9 of the prior 10 years. No nationality or retirement requirement — entrepreneurs, investors, executives, and high-earning remote workers all qualify.
Is this the same as the 7% pensioner flat tax?
No. The 7% regime for foreign pensioners in southern Italian towns is a separate, mutually exclusive scheme. Art. 24-bis is the lump-sum regime for high foreign income.
I'm a US citizen — does it still help?
The US taxes worldwide income regardless of residence. Whether the Italian substitute tax is creditable against US tax (Foreign Tax Credit) requires specialist US–Italy advice; treatment varies. Get professional guidance before electing.
How is it paid?
In a single instalment by 30 June each year. Missing the payment ends the regime — your foreign income then falls under ordinary IRPEF, with no reinstatement.
Sources and official references: Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency); Art. 24-bis TUIR (Presidential Decree 917/1986); 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199 of 30 December 2025) raising the substitute tax to €300,000 and the family add-on to €50,000 for elections from 1 January 2026 (existing electors are grandfathered at their original rate), and cutting the middle IRPEF rate to 33%; Decree Law 113/2024 (€200,000 tier). The substitute tax is paid in a single instalment via F24 by 30 June each year, for up to 15 years. Income-tax comparison only; excludes regional/municipal surcharges, IVIE/IVAFE, and the qualified-shareholding carve-out. Estimate, not tax advice — an advance ruling from the Agenzia delle Entrate and a qualified advisor are required.