Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa
Italy introduced the digital nomad visa after the pandemic. The visa is now fully implemented and widely used, but still not as simple as it seems. Many applicants successfully obtain it, but the process remains demanding and requires careful preparation.
Italy introduced the digital nomad visa after the pandemic, with Decree-Law No. 4/2022, which added letter q-bis) to Article 27(1) of the Italian Immigration Act (Testo Unico Immigrazione). The implementing decree later clarified the requirements and made the visa operational, allowing applications to be filed starting in 2024.
Two years later, the visa is now fully implemented and widely used. Many applicants successfully obtain it, but the process remains demanding and requires careful preparation.
Who qualifies as a digital nomad or remote worker?
Under Italian law, a digital nomad or remote worker is a non-EU citizen who performs highly qualified work in Italy through technological tools that allow the activity to be carried out remotely, either independently (digital nomad), or for a company, including companies not established in Italy (remote worker).
The visa is exempt from quota limits and does not require a work permit (nulla osta). This is an advantage in terms of timing, but it can also be a disadvantage, because there is no pre-approval from Italian authorities and the Consulate has full discretion, meaning outcomes may vary.
Standard document checklist
The list below is applied by the majority of Consulates, but requirements may vary depending on the Consulate where the application is filed.
- Passport valid for a period of at least 15 months past your intended date of travel to the Schengen Area, including Italy.
- Proof of physical residence in the consulate jurisdiction.
- One visa application form, completely and clearly filled out and signed by the applicant.
- One recent ICAO-standard photograph: 45 mm tall and 35 mm wide, full face, front view, color photograph.
- Letter or certificate of travel medical insurance showing coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, and repatriation for medical reasons, for the days you are outside the United States. Insurance coverage must not be less than EUR 30,000, or USD 50,000.
- Proof of qualifying profession, one of the following:
- Possession of a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, which must be recognized through CIMEA or a Declaration of Value.
- For professions licensed by government agencies, such as architects, engineers, teachers, etc., an attestation from the applicable Italian authority certifying that the applicant possesses the requirements set out by law. In some cases, it may be necessary to acquire a license to exercise a regulated profession before applying for the visa.
- A higher professional qualification with proof of at least five years’ professional experience in the field. For each employment in the relevant five years, the applicant must submit the following documents issued by the public authority of the country where the expertise was acquired:
i. Identification data of the company and the business sector in which it operates or operated.
ii. The position held within the company, such as owner, partner, or employee.
iii. Copy of the employment contract and/or copies of pay slips related to the period worked, at least two for each year.
iv. Letter from the company or employer describing the applicant’s professional duties at the company, including the start and end dates of employment.
- For executives and specialists working in the ICT industry only, the requirement is reduced to three years’ professional experience acquired in the past seven years.
- Lease, rental contract, or deed for property in Italy. The lease, rental contract, or deed must be in the applicant’s name, must cover the entire duration of the visa, and must be registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate, the Italian Tax Authority. A third party’s offer of hospitality or a hotel stay is unacceptable.
- Proof of legal income of at least three times the minimum necessary to pay healthcare taxes in Italy — no less than EUR 24,789 per year. Proof can be provided in a variety of ways, including pay slips, tax returns, or the three most recent bank statements. The income must derive from the work the applicant will be performing in Italy. Other passive income, such as Social Security, rent, or stocks, will not be considered.
- Proof of six or more months’ prior work experience in the field.
- For digital nomads: tax returns, client invoices, and membership in professional or industrial associations can all provide evidence of employment.
- For remote workers: tax returns, pay slips, or a letter from the employer can be used as proof of employment.
- The non-refundable visa application fee.
Practical considerations
- Applicants cannot apply while in Italy but need to return to their country of residence.
- In most Consulates, it is very difficult to book an appointment for filing the visa application, and when available, appointments can be given after some months. Appointments must be booked using the Consulate’s online booking system.
- The processing time for the visa is up to 90 days for remote workers and 120 days for digital nomads, and the Consulate will keep the passport while the application is pending. The term is not mandatory, and the Consulate may take more time to decide on visa issuance.
- The lease requirement remains one of the most challenging aspects.
- Consulates retain broad discretion, and outcomes may differ.
Overall assessment
The digital nomad visa is now fully operational, and many applicants obtain it. Requirements are clear and consistently applied, but the process remains documentation-heavy and not as simple as it may appear. The fact that it is not necessary to obtain a pre-approved work permit (nulla osta) from Italian immigration authorities speeds up the process but also leaves the final decision entirely to the Consulate.
Related articles
- FAQs: Digital Nomad Visa and Remote Workers Visa in Italy
- Italy Digital Nomad Visa Explained in One Slide
- Digital nomads and remote workers (in Italian, Ministry of the Interior)
