The Italian government officially launched its Italy Digital Nomad Visa in April 2024. The visa is for any non–EU/EEA planning to live in Italy as a resident and work remotely. 

Many countries around the world have launched the Digital Nomad Visa. After the pandemic, this became a special visa to attract foreign remote workers into their economies.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa, including the requirements, documents needed, the application process, what you can do with the visa, how much it costs, and how long it’s valid for.

What is Italy's Digital Nomad Visa?

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Digital Nomad Visas are similar to full-time work permits in that they enable foreign citizens to relocate to a country and work legally from there with a residency permit.

According to our Global Intelligence Unit’s Global Digital Nomad Report, about 65 countries now have some form of digital nomad visa.

According to the Italian Consulate General in New York, “the visa is only available to highly specialized workers whose careers require or exceed the requirements listed in article 27-quarter of the Legislative Decree n. 286 of 25 July 1998, including careers that require post-secondary degrees or at least three years’ professional training or experience.”

The Italian government has split the visa into two categories: digital nomads, who are freelancers, consultants, or other independent specialists, and remote workers, who are company employees who can perform their work completely remotely. In all cases, the visa allows you to live and work in Italy for one year, similar to other countries like Portugal and Spain.

Benefits of the Italy Digital Nomad Visa

  • Extended stay: The visa allows digital nomads to stay in Italy for up to one year, with the possibility of renewal.
  • Access to the Schengen Area: The visa provides freedom to travel within the Schengen zone without needing additional visas, enabling easier movement across European countries.
  • Family-friendly: The visa allows applicants to bring close family members, ensuring a balanced work-life environment while living abroad.
  • An inexpensive way to obtain a second residency: Unlike other types of visas, there is no need to invest in Italy.
  • Access to healthcare and education: As a Digital Nomad Visa holder, you and your family gain the right to high-quality education and public healthcare.
  • Path to EU citizenship: EU citizenship is possible after ten years of permanent residency in Italy
  • Tax benefits: New tax residents can take advantage of special tax regimes.

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Eligibility

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The Italian Digital Nomad Visa is only available to highly specialized workers whose careers require or exceed the listed requirements, including jobs that require post-secondary degrees or at least three years of professional training or experience.

For a successful application, the government has set out four ways that you can demonstrate that you qualify:

  1. The possession of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree must be recognized through CIMEA or a Declaration of Value.
  2. For professions licensed by government agencies, such as architects, engineers, teachers, etc., you must present an attestation from the applicable Italian Authority certifying that you possess the requirements set out by Legislative Decree n. 206 of 6 November 2007. In some cases, it may be necessary to acquire a license to exercise a regulated profession before you can apply for the visa.
  3. A higher professional qualification with proof of at least five years of professional experience in the field. For each employment in the relevant five years, you must submit documents released by the Public Authority of the country where the expertise was acquired. These include identification data of the company and the business sector it operates or operates in, the position held within the company, copies of the pay slips, and a letter from the company or employer describing your professional duties at the company.
  4. The requirement is reduced to three years of professional experience acquired in the past seven years for only executives and specialists in the ICT industry.

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Requirements for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa

The following requirements must be met for digital nomads and remote workers:

  • Be a non-EU or non-EEA national.
  • Hold a clean criminal record.
  • Show proof of a lease, rental contract, or deed in the applicant’s name that is valid for the duration of the visa.
  • Provide a letter or certificate of travel medical insurance showing coverage for medical expenses of no less than €30,000.
  • Proof of legal income
  • An employment contract showing a salary that equals or exceeds that required by the collective contracts negotiated by the relevant Italian national union and that cannot be below the median annual salary as calculated by ISTAT (the Italian National Institute of Statistics).
  • Letter from employer stating that the employer has not been convicted in the past five years of any crimes related to the facilitation of illegal immigration, the exploitation of minors for work purposes, the violation of labor laws, or other crimes listed under comma 5-bis of article 22 of the Testo Unico Sull’Immigrazione.

The 2024 Minimum Income Requirements  

  • €24,789 per year (€ 2,066 per month).
  • If you come with your spouse, the income increases to €34,087 per year (€ 2,841 per month) plus €1,550 per year for every child.

Documents Needed for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa

Italy Digital Nomad Visa holders shall enter Italy and request the Digital Resident Permit. The permit is valid for one year and renewable every year as long as you prove you are working remotely in Italy for a foreign company and have the minimum required Income. You must apply for your Residence Permit within eight working days of entering Italy by going personally to the Police headquarters (Questura) where you intend to live.

The documents required include:

  • A copy of your valid passport, which should be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Italy.
  • Documentation showing you work remotely for a company based outside Italy or as a freelancer with international clients. This could include:
  1. An employment contract from a foreign employer, or
  2. Proof of self-employment or freelancing, such as contracts with clients.
  • Evidence of sufficient financial means to support yourself while living in Italy. This may include:
  1. Bank statements.
  2. Pay stubs or invoices for freelancers.
  3. A letter from your employer specifying your salary.
  •  Comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Italy and covers any medical expenses during your stay.
  • Proof of residence in Italy, such as a rental agreement or property ownership documents.
  • A criminal background check or police clearance certificate from your home country or the country where you have lived for the past 12 months.
  • A completed visa application form from your home country’s Italian consulate or embassy.
  • Two passport-style photos.

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Fees

  • Payment receipt for the € 30.46 postal bulletin for printing the electronic document. This payment should be made at a post office.
  • Receipt of payment of the € 50.00 postal bulletin, which is a contribution to the issuance of the residence permit. The payment should be made at a post office.
  •  A € 16.00 revenue stamp.
  • Non-refundable application fee of €116.

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Application Process

Similar to the requirements and application process of the new visa, foreign workers who are interested in performing their work remotely from Italy through the Self-employed Visa can expect to go through the following process before obtaining their new permit:

Fill out the application form Fill out the application form
Set an appointment Set an appointment
Prepare your documents Prepare your documents
Submit your application Submit your application

1. Fill out the application form: Those who are looking to work remotely as digital nomads in Italy before the start of next year will need to complete an application form for the Self-employed Visa, carefully following its instructions.

2. Set an appointment: To apply for either visa, you must locate a visa office in your home country to set an appointment with the relevant Italian authorities. Your appointment can be at an Italian Embassy or an Italian Consulate, where you’ll submit your application and biometric data and attend an interview.

3. Prepare your documents: After you have completed your application and scheduled your appointment, you will need to prepare the necessary documents to present. Some documents may need to be translated and certified with an Apostille stamp.

4. Submit your application: Once you have all your documents prepared and submitted, you must attend an interview and pay the visa fee. The application fee for the Italy Digital nomad costs €116, which is non-refundable.

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Processing Time

The processing time of the Italy Digital Nomad Visa is expected to take 30 to 60 days from the date of application submission. However, the visa process can take up to 120 days.

Family Members on a Digital Nomad Visa

When living in Italy, a digital nomad or remote worker can apply for a family visa to bring their spouse and children under 18 to join them. This includes a spouse’s child from a previous marriage or a child born out of wedlock, as long as the other parent agrees to the visa issuance.

As of 2024, digital nomads or remote workers are not able to sponsor children over 18 or their parents to live with them in Italy, even if these individuals are financially dependent on them. The sponsorship process starts in Italy at the Questura, where the digital nomad or remote worker applies for the residency permit within the first eight working days of arrival.

Taxes for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa

The tax obligations for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa depend on how long you stay in Italy and your overall income sources.

If you stay in Italy for less than 183 days a year, you are considered a non-resident for tax purposes. This means you are not taxed on your worldwide income but only on Italian-sourced income, such as local business or employment earnings.

If you stay for more than 183 days, you become an Italian tax resident and must pay taxes on your worldwide income. Italy has a progressive tax system, with rates between 23% and 43%, but you may qualify for tax credits or deductions if you pay taxes in your home country due to double taxation treaties. Italy has double taxation treaties with countries including the U.S., Canada, and others.

Path to Citizenship with the Italy Digital Nomad Visa

Digital Nomad Visa holders can apply for Italian citizenship after ten years of continuous legal residence. It’s important to note that the residency must be constant and legal, with no interruptions. Temporary absences are allowed. Citizenship is granted at the discretion of the Italian government and requires:

  • Passing a citizenship test by proving adequate knowledge of the Italian language (at least B1), history, and culture.
  • Providing a clean criminal record.
  • Proving sufficient income.
  • You must demonstrate that your annual income has been at least €8,263.31 for the past three years. If you are married and your spouse depends on you, the income requirement increases to €11,362.05, plus an additional €516.46 for each dependent child. 

Italy allows dual citizenship depending on the rules of your country of origin.

Alternative Route: The Italian Self-Employment Visa

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The Self–employed Visa can be used in place of the Italian Digital Nomad Visa, and its benefits are truly unmatched—whether it’s the advantage of double taxation treaties and other tax exemptions, access to better healthcare, or other benefits.

By applying for the Self-employed Visa in Italy, you’ll have the right to reside and work remotely in one of the most beautiful European countries without being considered a tax resident there.

You’ll also be able to travel visa-free across the rest of the European Union within just two months of submitting and approving your application.

Moreover, you can include your close family members in your application and enjoy the benefit of family reunification. All of this will make remote work much more convenient for you. Other routes to an Italian passport are through the Italy Golden Visa and the Italy Citizenship by Investment program.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Italy Digital Nomad Visa

Does Italy have a Digital Nomad Visa?

Yes, Italy has a Digital Nomad Visa. It allows non-EU and non-EEA nationals to work independently from Italy. Naturally, people aspiring to obtain an Italian Digital Nomad Visa should meet the requirements and deliver the paperwork in a timely manner.

How long does it take to get the Italy Digital Nomad Visa?

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa usually takes around 1 to 3 months, depending on the consulate and the completeness of your application. Once approved, the visa will be valid for one year, with the possibility of renewal.

Is Italy good for digital nomads?

Yes, Italy is great for digital nomads. It offers a rich cultural experience, beautiful landscapes, excellent food, and a good work-life balance. The country provides access to co-working spaces, reliable infrastructure, and an attractive visa option for digital nomads.

Does Italy allow digital nomads?

Yes, Italy allows digital nomads through its Digital Nomad Visa, which enables remote workers to live and work in the country for up to one year with the possibility of renewal.

Does the Italy Digital Nomad Visa lead to citizenship?

Although the Digital Nomad Visa grants you residency rights, it does not directly lead to citizenship in Italy.

However, the government has a Golden Visa program that can lead to permanent residency and citizenship.

Are there other similar visas in Europe?

Yes, you can apply for the Malta Digital Nomad Visa, the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, and the Spain Digital Nomad Visa.

What are the top European cities for digital nomads in 2024?

The top European cities for digital nomads in 2024 are:

  • Lisbon, Portugal
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Budapest, Hungary
  • Tallinn, Estonia
  • Milan, Italy

How do Lisbon and Berlin compare for digital nomads in terms of internet speed and coworking spaces?

Lisbon and Berlin both offer excellent internet speed, with average speeds around 100 Mbps. However, Berlin has a larger number of co-working spaces, providing more options for digital nomads. Lisbon, while having fewer spaces, is rapidly growing in popularity, attracting remote workers with its vibrant atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.