Italy Digital Nomad Visa 2026: Requirements, Income, and How to Apply

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers and freelancers to live and work in the country. The visa was introduced 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 and meet all the other requirements. 

At Global Citizen Solutions, we assist our clients through every step of the Digital Nomad Visa application process. This includes the document preparation, and post arrival assistance, such as helping you secure your residence permit.   

Our article explains the core requirements of the visa, such as 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

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa allows non‑EU/EEA/Swiss remote workers to live in Italy for 12 months while working for a foreign employer or having clients based outside of Italy.  

The visa can be renewed annually and continuously, provided that all the requirements are maintained. 

Applicants need a minimum annual income of €28,000, plus proof of highly skilled work and a clean criminal record.  

Required documents include proof of accommodation in Italy, health insurance that covers at least €30,000 per year, and a valid work contract or business agreement.  

The average processing time for the visa is two months from submission, with document preparation usually taking a month before this.  

The visa allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Area, making it easier to move between certain European countries as a tourist.

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is a long-stay Type D visa for non-EU/EEA/Swiss 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, professional qualification, or have sufficient experience, and have at least six months of remote work experience. 

The official guidance separates self-employed digital nomads from employed remote workers, as their documentation and requirements will differ slightly. Importantly, the Italian residence permit follows a successful visa application and your arrival in Italy. You need to apply at the local Police Headquarters (Questura) within eight working days of arrival. 

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/EEA/Swiss 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 
• 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 three years, or 
  • At least five years of relevant work experience 
• Prove at least six months of remote work experience 
• 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  
• They must also demonstrate income of at least €28,000 per year 
• 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 three years, or 
  • At least five 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) 

1. Schengen travel access: As an Italian residence permit holder, you can travel visa-free to all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.  
2. No work sponsorship needed: For the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, you do not need a company to sponsor your visa. This allows you to skip an approval step, which will make the process faster and easier. 
3. Inpatriate tax benefits: If you will live in Italy for at least four years, you can qualify for a 50% income tax reduction, which can increase to 60% if you have a dependent child. The reduction applies immediately but you must maintain tax residency in Italy for at least four years consecutively to qualify.  
4. Family inclusion: You can bring your spouse and minor children, and your spouse is allowed to work or start a business in Italy. 
5. 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 Italian citizenship.  
6. 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, potentially, gain access to the National Health Service (SSN), which is regarded as one of the best healthcare systems in Europe. 

The minimum income is €28,000 per year (€2,333.34 per month). If you travel with your spouse, the income increases by 20% to €33,600 per year (€2,800 per month). Plus, you will need to add approximately €1,500 per year for each child. The main applicant must demonstrate an annual income of at least three times the exemption threshold for healthcare participation expenses. Additionally, some consulates may require a higher income. 

You need to follow the Italian Consulate with jurisdiction over your legal residence and your local document requirements may differ as a result. The general documents required for the Italian Digital Nomad Visa include the following: 

• National application form: Completed and signed 
• Passport: Must be valid 
• 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 if non-EU) 
  • 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 working remotely, 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: Pay slips, 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 their current employer has had no convictions for immigration, labor, or child exploitation offenses in the past five years.

1. Speak to an immigration consultant at Global Citizen Solutions: Get in touch with us to check whether you qualify, and to discover how we can make the process seamless and efficient.  
2. Prepare your documents: Collect your documents, including your apostilled degree, proof of earning at least €28,000 per year, and six months of remote work experience. It may be helpful to work with an Italian immigration lawyer to simplify the process. 
3. 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. 
4. Visa approval (~two months): If your application is approved, your visa will be placed in your passport so you can travel to Italy. 
5. Apply for a residence permit:  After arriving in Italy, you must apply for your residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within eight working days at your local Questura. Some Questure may allow post-office submission, but you should check locally. 
6. Biometrics and Card Collection: Attend your fingerprint appointment, and then collect your residence card, which will take four to eight weeks; it can take longer in bigger cities.  

You will need to show payment of the €30.46 fee for printing electronic documents. This payment should be made at the post office. 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 1 January, 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, based on the official euro to dollar exchange rate set by the Italian government. The current fee is listed on the consulate’s website. 

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 the country on your worldwide income. The Italian tax authority has confirmed that remote workers can use tax benefits from the Italian Flat Tax Regime, but each one has its own rules and requirements.

Regime Forfettario (Flat Tax)

The forfettario regime is a beneficial tax regime available to individuals operating as self-employed taxpayers through a VAT number, provided they meet the statutory and ongoing eligibility requirements.  

The reduced tax rate is 15% on taxable income calculated by applying a profitability coefficient to gross income, based on the relevant ATECO code. For new activities that satisfy the legal conditions, the reduced rate is 5% for the first five years. The regime applies up to €85,000 in annual revenue or fees and exceeding this threshold causes exit from the regime from the following year, while exceeding €100,000 triggers immediate exit. 

To qualify, you must open a VAT number, file the required notification with the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate), and obtain a tax code (Codice Fiscale). Self-employed workers and professionals must also enroll in the relevant social security system, usually INPS or, where applicable, the relevant professional pension fund.  

Crucially, the 5% rate applies only where the activity is genuinely new and does not amount to a continuation of an activity carried out in the previous three years, nor a mere continuation of prior employment.

Regime for Impatriate Workers

The impatriate workers regime applies to individuals who transfer their tax residence to Italy starting from 1 January 2024, under the rules introduced by Legislative Decree 209/2023. Generally, it excludes 50% of employment income and Italian-source self-employment income from taxable income, subject to the annual cap which is set by law.  

For taxpayers who meet the specific conditions linked to having a minor child in Italy, the exemption may increase to 60%. To benefit from the regime, you must not have been tax resident in Italy during the three tax periods before the transfer and must commit to maintaining Italian tax residence for at least four years.  

The relief applies to the new employment relationship or self-employment activity carried out in Italy, subject to the current legal requirements. The self-employment portion of the impatriate exemption is contingent on the income being classified as Italian-sourced, and freelancers with entirely foreign clients should confirm their eligibility with a tax advisor before assuming the 50%/60% benefit applies to them automatically. 

The former regime offering a 90% exemption for relocation to certain Southern Italian regions belongs to the pre-2024 rules and should not be confused with the current regime.

Double Taxation Treaties

A tax treaty prevents or mitigates 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 your tax obligations will likely be reduced or removed by the treaty provisions.