Discover the new Italy Digital Nomad Visa, introduced in 2024, and learn how you can work remotely while experiencing the Italian lifestyle. From eligibility requirements to application steps, explore how this visa opens doors to living and working in Italy.
January 24, 2025
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
In 2023, almost 86 million international tourists visited Italy, which showed a significant increase from 2022. It’s very evident that there’s a global interest in this country, and some people may be so interested that they want to do more than just visit.
You may be one of these people, but making a complete move isn’t in the cards. Still, getting a taste of Italian life can be amazing, and you want to make it happen.
Getting an Italy digital nomad visa could be great, as you could work while experiencing local life. But is there such a thing, and if there is, how can you get one? Read on to find out more.
Does Italy Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
The good news is yes, Italy has a digital nomad visa! It’s a very new one, considering that it’s only been around since April 2024.
This visa is called the Digital Nomad/Remote Worker Visa, and it allows non-EU and non-EEA citizens to reside in Italy legally as highly skilled remote workers. Initially, you’ll get up to one year, but you can renew the visa afterward, as long as you still meet the requirements.
The visa has two categories:
- Digital nomads: freelancers, consultants, other independent specialists
- Remote workers: foreign company employees
With this visa, you can sponsor for a family visa. While you can do this for a spouse and children under 18, you can’t sponsor children over 18 or parents, even if they’re dependent on you.
Why Should You Get the Italy Digital Nomad Visa?
As we’ve said above, you can legally live in Italy for a year if you get this visa, and you can always renew it after the period’s over. It’s an affordable way to get overseas as well since there’s no hefty investment requirement.
Once you’re over in Italy, you’ll have access to the entire Schengen Area, without having to apply for additional visas. As a result, you’ll be able to travel freely and explore the continent with ease.
You’ll get to enjoy the benefits that other residents get too. For example, there are special tax regimes if you’re a new tax resident, and you’ll have access to high-quality healthcare and education. More importantly, if you want to stay in Europe, you’ll be able to with EU citizenship after staying in Italy with permanent residency for 10 years.
Do note that taxation in Italy can be messy and complicated. To avoid this, you should stay in the country for under 183 days, as going over would make you a tax resident, which means that you’re taxed on your worldwide income.
Italy Digital Nomad Visa Requirements
If you’re now interested in this Italy nomad visa, then you may be wondering about the eligibility requirements. Let’s explore them below.
Employment Status
Applicants have to be employed or contracted by a company that’s not based in Italy. Or they can operate as self-employed professionals working remotely.
Remote workers have two additional requirements:
- Employment contract that proves your salary is equal to or exceeds the requirements by the relevant Italian national union (not under the median annual salary)
- Letter from employer vouching for your clean criminal record in the past five years
Professional Qualifications
You must be a highly skilled worker who meets the requirements in Legislative Decree 25.7.1998, No. 286.
To prove your qualifications, you can choose one of the three options:
- Having a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree decognized through CIMEA or a Declaration of Value
- Attestation from the applicable Italian authority certifying that you have the right qualifications (for those licensed by government agencies, such as teachers and engineers)
- A higher professional qualification with proof of at least five years of experience in the field
- Three years of experience acquired within the last seven years (for executives and specialists working in the ICT industry)
Professional Experience
You should have a minimum of six months of experience as a digital nomad or remote worker.
Digital nomads can prove this by providing tax returns, client invoices, and membership in relevant associations. Remote workers can provide proof with tax returns, pay slips, or letters from their employers.
Income Threshold
The country wants to make sure that you can support yourself during your stay in Italy, so there’s an income threshold for applicants. As of 2024, the minimum amount is €24,789 per year, and this income must come from work you’ll do in Italy (it can’t come from passive income, such as Social Security).
To prove that you meet this threshold, you can use the following:
- Paystubs
- Tax returns
- W-2s
- Three most recent bank statements
Health Insurance
Again, you must prove that you won’t be a burden to the nation during your stay, so you must have an active health insurance policy. You should have a letter or certificate showing that you have coverage, and it can’t be under €30,000.
An alternative is showing proof of an Italian health insurance policy. Or you can show an affidavit of health insurance that says you’ll get Italian health insurance when you arrive.
Accommodation Proof
You must give evidence that you have suitable accommodation in Italy for at least one year. This can be done through a lease, rental contract, or deed for property. These must be in your name and cover the entire duration of your digital nomad visa.
If you’re renting or leasing, then you have to show the original copy of a Contratto di Locazione ad Uso Abitativo. In addition, you must provide proof that your landlord’s registered it with the Italian Tax Authority (Agenzia delle Entrate).
How to Apply for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa
After learning more about the eligibility requirements, you may realize that this it’s very possible for you to go this route. So what are the steps to getting this Europe digital nomad visa?
Document Preparation
Like with any other visa application, you’ll have to gather some key documents before you actually fill out the form. Below are the documents you’ll need:
- Passport (valid for at least 15 months past your date of travel to the Schengen Area; must have at least two blank pages)
- Proof of physical residence in Italian jurisdiction
- Proof of legal residence in the US (for non-US citizens applying from the US)
- National Visa form (if you’re staying in Italy for over 90 days)
- Schengen visa form (if you’re staying in Italy for under 90 days)
- One ICAO standard photograph (glued to the top of the form)
- Letter or certificate of travel medical insurance
- Proof of qualifying profession
- Lease, rental contract, or deed for property in Italy
- Proof of legal income
- Proof of work experience
- Clean criminal record certificate
- Declaration for Mailing Passports
Consulate Appointment
Once you have everything ready, you can schedule an appointment at the nearest Italian consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
When you attend, you’ll submit the application along with the required documents. There’s also a nonrefundable visa application fee, which much be the exact amount by cashier’s check or money order.
The application fee will change every quarter, based on the official euro-dollar exchange rate. Those staying over 90 days will pay the national visa fee, while those staying under 90 days will pay the Schengen visa fee.
Expect the processing time to take between 30 to 60 days, although it’s not unheard of it taking up to 120 days.
Residence Permit
After receiving your visa, you’ll have to travel to Italy.
You must apply for a residency permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within eight days of your arrival by going to the local Questura, or provincial police headquarters. To do this, you’ll need many of the same documents you used for the visa, so make copies during the application process.
Tax Considerations
As we’ve said earlier, if you stay over 183 days in Italy, you’ll be considered a tax resident. But there are ways to reduce your obligations.
For example, there’s the Regime Forfettario. Self-employed individuals who earn up to €85,000 a year benefit from a flat tax rate of 5% for the first five years of residency.
There’s also the New Residents Regime. You can get a 50% income tax exemption for up to five years.
If you want to discuss this and learn how to make the most of your taxes exemptions, Global Wealth Protection can help you maximize your income.
Apply for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa
The Italy digital nomad visa can be an excellent choice if you want to do remote work in Italy. This visa is pretty new, but it does seem pretty straightforward.
Because it can take some time to process, and there may be additional requirements or processing delays, we’d suggest you apply ASAP, especially if you’re planning on moving soon. And if you have any questions or need additional guidance, it can be useful to consult the official Italian consulate or embassy in your country.
Get in touch with us today to discuss asset protection before you move to Italy. Global Wealth Protection can help you minimize taxes while abroad.