RE: "what do I need in order to gain residency in Italy?" We went to the Italian Consulate yesterday in Montevideo, UY. We have obtained our residency card in UY. The income requirement appears rubbery and subjective. First, they pegged the income at $6,000 USD per couple. Yesterday they said they would submit pension income of less than half of this. He said $3`1,000 per year per couple. He wanted to see bank statements with the monthly deposit, but also was fine with a benefit award letter from my pension fund. Tax documents are not accepted. BUT, the kicker is a rental or property. He said at a minimum we needed a year's rental contract, before we set foot in the country, Or evidence that we are buying property. But, then the paperwork is simply submitted, not guaranteed to be OK. So you could front a lot of money that you'd end up losing.