Your Comprehensive Guide to Bitcoin-Aligned Italian and Portugal Residency

In an increasingly interconnected world, the concept of citizenship is evolving. For Bitcoin holders and cryptocurrency investors, maintaining digital asset exposure while securing European residency has traditionally meant choosing one or the other.

Bitizenship has changed this paradigm by creating Bitcoin-aligned pathways to European citizenship that allow investors to keep their cryptocurrency holdings while gaining the security, freedom, and opportunities that come with European Union residency and eventual citizenship.

This comprehensive guide explores how Bitizenship's innovative programs in Italy and Portugal provide legitimate, government-approved routes to European citizenship for global investors who understand Bitcoin's long-term value proposition.

This comprehensive review examines how the program works, who it benefits, and what investors should consider before applying.

What is Bitizenship ?

Bitizenship is a Singapore-based fintech company pioneering the intersection of Bitcoin investment and global mobility. Founded by Alessandro Palombo, a thought leader in digital sovereignty and citizenship innovation, Bitizenship has established itself as the premier provider of Bitcoin-aligned residency investment pathways.

Company Track Record

• Over €25 million in Bitcoin-aligned residency investments facilitated
• Notable backers including Balaji Srinivasan (former CTO of Coinbase, author of The Network State)
• Strategic partnerships with over 25 organizations globally
• Active programs in multiple European jurisdictions
• Advisory relationships with government institutions on citizenship policy

The Bitizenship Philosophy

Bitizenship operates on the principle that digital sovereignty and geographic sovereignty should be aligned. The company believes that individuals who have chosen Bitcoin as their primary store of value shouldn't be forced to liquidate their holdings to access the benefits of European residency and citizenship.

By creating compliant investment structures that maintain Bitcoin exposure, Bitizenship enables investors to secure their future without compromising their financial strategy.

Bitizenship Programs Overview

Bitizenship currently operates two flagship programs, each designed for different investor profiles and objectives:

Program 1: The Bitcoin Dolce Visa (Italy)

The Bitcoin Dolce Visa is Bitizenship's Italian residency program, offering one of the most affordable entry points to European citizenship in the EU. The program is built around a €250,000 investment in BTC Italia (Bitizenship Italia S.r.l.), a Milan-based Innovative Startup focused on Bitcoin Layer-2 staking and treasury management.

Key Features

• Investment Amount: €250,000 in equity (Class B shares)
• Initial Visa: 2-year residence permit, renewable for 3-year periods
• Physical Presence: No minimum stay requirement to maintain residency
• Permanent Residency: Eligible after 5 years
• Citizenship: Available after 10 years with B1 Italian language proficiency
• Processing Time: 3-6 months from application to visa approval
• Investment Timing: Capital transferred only after visa approval (investor-friendly)

BTC Italia: The Investment Vehicle

BTC Italia is registered as an Innovative Startup under Italian law and operates with the following characteristics:

• Core Business: Bitcoin Layer-2 network validation (e.g., Core Network)
• Treasury Strategy: Company assets held in Bitcoin as working capital
• Custody Model: Non-custodial staking (company maintains full control of assets)
• Risk Management: No slashing risk, no exposure to altcoins
• Exit Rights: Shareholders can withdraw every 24 months with BTC or EUR redemption
• Dividends: Performance-linked payouts based on company treasury and staking income
• Location: Headquartered in Milan, Italy's financial capital

Italian Residency Benefits

• Schengen Access: Visa-free travel across 27 EU countries
• Right to Work: Full authorization to work or start businesses in Italy
• Healthcare: Access to Italy's world-class Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN)
• Education: Full access to Italy's public education system and universities
• Family Inclusion: Spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents can be included
• Tax Benefits: Optional flat-rate tax of €200,000/year on foreign income (for tax residents)

Program 2: Bitcoin Ecosystem Golden Visa (Portugal)

Bitizenship's Portugal program represents the first regulated, explicitly Bitcoin-aligned Golden Visa fund structure in Europe. Portugal's Golden Visa program is renowned for offering one of the fastest pathways to EU citizenship, requiring only 5 years compared to Italy's 10-year timeline.

Key Features

• Investment Amount: €500,000+ (fund investment route)
• Initial Visa: 2-year residence permit, renewable for 3-year periods
• Physical Presence: Average of 7 days per year required
• Permanent Residency: Eligible after 5 years
• Citizenship: Available after 5 years with basic Portuguese language proficiency (A2 level)
• Processing Time: 6-12 months from application to visa approval
• Fund Structure: Regulated investment vehicle focused on Bitcoin ecosystem companies

Investment Structure

The Portugal Bitcoin Ecosystem Golden Visa Fund is structured as a regulated investment vehicle that:

• Invests in Bitcoin-native companies and infrastructure projects
• Maintains exposure to the Bitcoin ecosystem while meeting regulatory requirements
• Provides diversified exposure across multiple Bitcoin-related ventures
• Complies with Portuguese fund regulations and Golden Visa program requirements
• Offers professional fund management by experienced cryptocurrency investment specialists

Portuguese Residency Benefits

• Schengen Access: Visa-free travel across 27 EU countries
• Fast-Track Citizenship: 5-year pathway (half of Italy's timeline)
• Minimal Stay: Only 7 days per year average required
• Right to Work: Full authorization throughout Portugal and EU
• Healthcare: Access to Portugal's national health service (SNS)
• Education: Free public education and access to universities
• Family Inclusion: Spouse, dependent children, and parents can be included
• Tax Benefits: Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime available with significant benefits

Why Choose Portugal?

Portugal offers several compelling advantages for investors seeking faster citizenship:

• Faster Citizenship: 5 years vs 10 years for Italy
• Lower Language Requirement: A2 Portuguese vs B1 Italian
• Atlantic Location: Strategic position between Europe and Americas
• Crypto-Friendly: Portugal has historically been favorable to cryptocurrency taxation
• Quality of Life: High safety, excellent climate, affordable cost of living
• English Proficiency: Widely spoken, especially in Lisbon and Porto

Competitive analysis : Italy vs other European golden visas

Conclusion: Your Path to European Citizenship

Bitizenship has created something unprecedented in the citizenship-by-investment space: legitimate pathways to European citizenship that honor Bitcoin holders' conviction in digital assets. For the first time, investors can secure the benefits of EU citizenship without compromising their long-term Bitcoin strategy.

Whether you choose Italy's affordable €250,000 entry point with maximum flexibility or Portugal's faster 5-year citizenship path, both programs offer genuine routes to one of the world's most valuable citizenship portfolios—the European Union passport.

The decision between programs depends on your priorities. If budget and no physical presence requirement are paramount, Italy offers exceptional value. If faster citizenship is your goal and you can meet minimal stay requirements, Portugal provides the quickest path to an EU passport.

Regardless of which program you choose, Bitizenship's Bitcoin-aligned approach represents the future of global mobility, one where digital sovereignty and geographic sovereignty work in harmony rather than opposition.

Review compiled January 2026. This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or immigration advice. 

For the latest information, visit bitizenship.com