The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is a temporary residence permit for non-EU remote workers and freelancers. The Visa was launched in April 2024 to allow highly skilled remote workers to conduct their business in Italy. Importantly, nomads must work for a company that is based outside of Italy.
Our article explains the core requirements of the Visa like the €28,000 per year minimum income, the one-year renewable nature of the Visa, and benefits like Schengen Area access and tax incentives.
Italy Digital Nomad Visa Key Takeaways
What is the Italy Digital Nomad Visa?
The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is a long-stay Type D visa for non-EU/EEA professionals who work remotely for companies or clients outside Italy. The program was introduced under a 2024 government decree, and to qualify, applicants must earn at least €28,000 per year, hold a university degree or professional qualification, and have at least 6 months of remote work experience.
If the applicants choose to become tax residents in Italy, they can qualify for the Italy Flat Tax regime, which exempts 50% of eligible income for up to 5 years if they live in Italy for at least 183 days per year.
Who is eligible for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa?
The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is designed for two types of applicants, digital nomads and remote workers. Digital nomads are self-employed (freelancers) and need to show client contracts, income of at least €28,000, and some work experience. Remote workers are company employees and must qualify as highly skilled, with a degree or several years of experience, and must have an employment contract.
General requirements (For all applicants)
- Be a non-EU or non-EEA citizen
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a clean criminal record
- Show proof of accommodation valid for at least 12 months
- Have health insurance with at least €30,000 of coverage
- Show proof of stable and legal income
- meet the minimum income requirement of at least €28,000 per year
Requirements for digital nomads (freelancers / Self-employed)
- Digital nomads are independent workers who provide services to clients based outside of Italy
- Show proof of at least 6 months of work experience in your field
- Provide active contracts or client agreements outside of Italy
- Your contracts need to show income of at least €28,000 per year
- You must prove that your work can be done remotely
Requirements for remote workers (Employees)
- Remote workers must qualify as highly skilled professionals.
- You must meet one of the following requirements:
- A university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or higher), or
- A recognized post-secondary qualification lasting at least 3 years, or
- At least 5 years of relevant work experience
Some consulates might ask for both education and experience. Additional requirements include:
- Your degree may need a Declaration of Value or CIMEA certification (if issued outside the EU)
- You must have a valid employment contract with a foreign employer
- You must provide a letter from your employer confirming they have not been convicted of any crime in the past 5 years
- Licensed professionals (e.g. architects, engineers, teachers) may need official recognition in Italy
- ICT specialists and executives may qualify with 3 years of experience in the last 7 years
Eligible family members
- Spouse or Partner: A legally recognized spouse or civil partner.
- Minor Children: Children under 18, including children from previous relationships (with the other parent’s consent).
- Dependent Adult Children: Children over 18 who depend on their parents due to a permanent physical or mental disability.
- Dependent Parents: Parents who depend financially on the applicant, usually if they have no other children in their home country or are over 65 and their other children cannot support them for health reasons.
Benefits of the Italy Digital Nomad Visa
- Schengen travel access: As an Italian residence permit holder, you can travel visa-free to 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- No work authorization needed: For the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, you do not need a Nulla Osta, also known as a work permit. This allows you to skip an extra approval step, which will make the process faster and easier.
- Impatriate tax benefits: If you live in Italy for at least four years, you can qualify for a 50% income tax reduction, which can also increase to 60% if you have a dependent child.
- Freelancer tax regime: Self-employed individuals earning under €85,000 per year can benefit from the Regime Forfettario, with a 5% tax rate for the first five years.
- Family Inclusion: You can bring your spouse and minor children, and your spouse is allowed to work or start a business in Italy.
- Path to permanent residency and citizenship: After 5 years, if all the requirements are met, you can apply for permanent residency in Italy, and after 10 years, you may apply for an Italian passport.
- Access to public services: Residency in Italy allows you to get a Codice Fiscale (tax ID), open a bank account, sign long-term leases, and free access the National Health Service (SSN), which is regarded as one of the best healthcare systems in Europe.
What is the minimum income requirement for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa?
The minimum income is €28,000 per year (€2,333.34 per month). If you travel with your spouse, the income increases to €34,087 per year (€2,840.58 per month), plus €1,550 per year for each child.
Documents Needed for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa
The documents required for the Italian Digital Nomad Visa include the following:
- National application form – Completed and signed.
- Passport – Must be valid; non-citizens must also provide a residence permit.
- Two passport-size photos – Recent and in the required format.
- Proof of residence – Document showing physical residence in the consular district.
- Criminal record check – No prior convictions.
- Health insurance – Covers at least €30,000 annually and valid in Schengen countries.
- Proof of accommodation – Lease, rental contract, or property deed in the applicant’s name, valid for the visa’s duration.
- Proof of qualifications – Must meet one of the following:
- A recognized bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree (via CIMEA or a Declaration of Value).
- A certification from the Italian Authority for regulated professions.
- At least five years of professional experience (three years for IT executives/specialists).
- Work experience – At least six months of experience in the field, proven by tax returns, invoices, pay slips, or employer letters.
- Proof of employment – Contract for at least one year (for employees) or evidence of client contracts (for freelancers).
- Proof of income – Payslips, tax returns, or bank account statement proving the required income level.
- Employer’s criminal record check – This is specifically needed for remote workers as they have employers. It is a letter confirming the employer has no convictions for immigration, labor, or child exploitation offenses in the past five years.
How to Apply for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa: Step-by-Step Application Process
- Speak to an immigration consultant at Global Citizen Solutions: Get in touch with us and use the free consultation to check whether you qualify. Additionally, you can understand the best way to start your Italy immigration journey.
- Prepare your documents: Collect your documents, including your apostilled degree, proof of earning at least €28,000 per year, and 6 months of remote work experience. It may be helpful to work with an Italian immigration lawyer to simplify the process.
- Consulate Appointment: Book and attend an appointment at the Italian consulate in your country, where you submit your Type D visa application and pay the €116 government fee.
- Visa approval (30–90 days): If your application is approved, your visa will be placed in your passport so you can travel to Italy.
- Apply for a residence permit (within 8 days): After arriving in Italy, you have to apply for your residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within 8 working days at a post office.
- Biometrics and Card Collection: Attend your fingerprint appointment, and then collect your residence card, which will take 4 to 8 weeks; it can take longer in bigger cities.
How much does it cost to apply for an Italy Digital Nomad Visa?
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 postal bulletin, which contributes to the issuance of the residence permit. The payment should be made at a post office. Additionally, a €16 revenue stamp.
The nonrefundable visa application fee must be paid in exact amount by cashier’s check or money order, payable to the Consulate General of Italy. The fee is updated every three months on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st, based on the official euro to dollar exchange rate set by the Italian government. The current fee is listed on the consulate’s website.
Timeline for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa
| Step | Action | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Document Gathering | Collect required documents such as apostilled degrees, police clearance certificates, and employment declarations. | 4–8 weeks |
| 2. Appointment Booking | Book an appointment at the Italian consulate (availability depends on the region). | 2–8 weeks |
| 3. Visa Processing | The consulate reviews the Type D long-stay visa application. | 15–90 days |
Taxes for Digital Nomads in Italy
Tax for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa depends on how long you stay in the country. If you live in Italy for more than 183 days in a year, you become a tax resident and are required to pay tax in Italy on your worldwide income. The Italian tax authority has confirmed that remote workers can use some tax benefits from the Italian Flat Tax Regime, but each one has its own rules and requirements.
Regime Forfettario (Flat Tax)
The Regime Forfettario allows for a 5% flat tax for first 5 years for new businesses, 15% thereafter, on a taxable percentage of gross income. The maximum profitability coefficient of 78% applies to many professional and technical activities. It applies to businesses generating revenue of up to €85,000 annually. If this limit is reached you must exit the regime, and if revenue exceeds €100,000 you will immediately exit the regime.
You must register with the Agenzia delle Entrate and obtain a Codice Fiscale. Freelancers also need to register with INPS for social security contributions which ranges between 24% and 35%. The 5% rate only applies if you have not operated a business or conducted freelance activity in the 3 years before the regime. Additionally, the business cannot be a continuation of previous employment.
Regime per Lavoratori Impatriati (Impatriates Regime)
Under the Impatriates Regime you can receive a 50% income tax exemption for 5 years and it can be raised to 60% if you have a minor child who is also a resident of Italy. The regime is available to both employed and self-employed workers who were not tax residents of Italy in the prior 3 years.
The effective tax rates can be extremely low, around 22% to 24% including local taxes, in early years when combined with other allowances. Additionally, there is a 90% income tax exemption for impatriates who relocate to Southern regions of Italy including Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Sardinia, and Sicily.
Double Taxation Treaties
A tax treaty prevents double taxation on foreign-sourced income for tax residents of a country. Italy has treaties with: the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Panama, and nearly 100 other countries. This means that you will not be taxed twice on the same income, if you are from one of these countries.
Family Reunification Under the Italy Digital Nomad Visa
Spouses, registered partners, dependent children, and certain dependent parents can qualify for co-terminous residence permits. The main applicant must register at a local Sportello Unico after arrival to trigger the automatic family permit process. Family permits grant immediate access to Italy’s national health service (SSN) upon payment of the annual €2,000 contribution. However, family members must have health insurance when applying, then gain SSN access when their residence permit is issued.
Italy’s €2,000 per year for SSN access for the main applicant is generally more comprehensive and cost-effective for families than private plans. Family permits align end-dates with the principal visa holder and they don’t need to apply separately for renewals. This is a major difference between Italy and some other EU nomad destinations where dependents must purchase private health insurance for their entire stay. Additionally, family members can work in Italy without labor-market tests.
What causes rejections and delays for the Italian Digital Nomad Visa?
- Highly skilled requirement: Applications are rejected if your degree does not match your job, is not properly recognized, or you cannot prove 5 years of experience without a degree.
- Income requirements: You must earn at least €28,000 per year from active remote work and irregular or passive income may lead to rejection. You must provide evidence of a recent and continuous source of income. Digital nomads will have to provide evidence of contracts that will reasonably remain in place for the period they will spend in Italy.
- Missing documents: Not having a complete application or missing documents will lead to an application rejection. Among other things, you will need to prove that you have worked remotely for over 6 months and that your employer or clients are based outside of Italy.
- Employer documents: Your application can be denied if your employer does not provide a signed declaration or if your contract does not clearly allow remote work from abroad.
- Housing and insurance: Using short-term accommodation or not having full health insurance with at least €30,000 coverage in Italy can result in rejection.
- How to avoid delays: Submit a recognized degree certificate, CIMEA, or Declaration of Value upfront to avoid delay and make sure your income is clear and consistent, as irregular or unexplained deposits can delay your application.
Italy, Portugal, and Spain Digital Nomad Visa Comparison
| Criteria | Italy | Portugal | Spain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Worker Visa) | D8 Remote Work Visa | Digital Nomad Visa |
| Income Requirement (Single) | €28,000/year (~€2,333/month) | €3,680 per month (€44,160 per year) | €2,850 per month (€34,200 per year) |
| Initial Permit Duration | 12 months (renewable) | 2 years | 3 years |
| Processing Time | 30 to 120 days (varies by consulate) | 60 to 90 days plus 60 to 90 days for permit | 20 working days from within Spain, 15 to 45 working days from outside Spain |
| Application Route | Consulate only | Consulate only | In-country (UGE) or consulate |
| Family Inclusion | Spouse, civil partner, dependent children, and dependent parents | Spouse, dependent children | Spouse, dependent children |
| Family Health Access | SSN access after €2,000/year | SNS access after registration | Public health after registration |
| Path to Citizenship | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years (2 years for Latin Americans) |
| Health Insurance | Private (€30k) and then SSN | Private insurance (€30k) or SNS access | Private insurance required (€30k) |
5 Best Cities for Digital Nomads in Italy
Italy has lifestyle options for everyone, from fast-paced cities like Milan and Rome to slower, more affordable places like Bologna and Palermo. The cost of living for a single person can be around €1,600 to €2,700 per month in big cities or about €1,400 to €2,000 per month in small towns, but it all depends on a person’s lifestyle. Italy’s Mediterranean climate attracts many digital nomads and the country ranks 25th on the Digital Nomad Index by the Global Intelligence Unit of Global Citizen Solutions.
01/ Bologna
Bologna is great for nomads because it offers lower costs than Milan/Rome while maintaining good infrastructure. You’ll find rent for a small apartment for about €1,200-€1,400/month (one-bedroom), reliable internet fiber in most areas, and several co-working spaces such as Serendippo, Kilowatt, and more. The city also has an active creative scene, so expats and remote workers can become part of this culture.
02/ Florence
Florence attracts creatives. It has inspiring surroundings, historic beauty, and good co-working options like Multiverso & Impact Hub. Cost of living is slightly higher, with one-bedroom rent going for €1,500+ per month in central or popular neighborhoods. Internet reliability is also good, though older buildings sometimes have weaker wiring. There is also a decent expat and nomad community, especially among artists, writers, and designers.
03/ Turin (Torino)
Torino is underrated. It gives a combination of reasonable cost, good internet, and culture. Rent in nicer areas can be €600-€1,000/month for a one-bedroom apartment. Internet speeds are good, and there are many fiber options. Co-working spaces are growing, and there is a friendly mix of locals, students, and expats. It doesn’t have the rush of big cities but gives access to tech hubs.
04/ Milan
Milan is tough to beat if you want big-city scale with maximum amenities. Great international connectivity with airports, trains, many co-working spaces, very fast internet, and a vibrant expat presence. Cost is much higher, though as nomads should expect to spend €2,000-€2,800/month in total costs, including rent, utilities, and food, depending on their lifestyle. Milan is best for people who need networks and business opportunities and don’t mind higher prices.
05/ Palermo (Sicily)
Palermo is appealing if you want culture, sunshine, a relaxed pace, and lower cost. Daily costs and rent are much less demanding than in the north. A one-bedroom near central areas may cost €700-€1,000+, depending on the neighborhood. The internet in the city center is good. There are co-working spaces like Moltivolti and a growing community of creatives and expats.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory 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.
