The Italy Digital Nomad Visa: A Comprehensive Guide
What is digital nomad visa?
“Digital nomads” represent a lifestyle trend that has gained prominence in the 21st century. With the advancement of information technology, an increasing number of professionals—such as IT workers, media personnel, language teachers, and freelancers—have broken free from traditional office settings. They now have the ability to work remotely from any location worldwide with internet access. This concept of remote work gained significant traction, especially before and during the pandemic.
Once liberated from office constraints, some remote workers choose to embrace a unique lifestyle: they carry their bags and travel to various destinations while continuing to work remotely. These individuals, known as “digital nomads,” experience a blend of exploring new cultures and working from different corners of the world.
To attract digital nomads and promote tourism and emerging industries, governments in at least 65 countries and regions worldwide have introduced specialized digital nomad visas. These visas typically have the following characteristics:
1. Applicants must be remote workers with stable monthly income and cannot be employed locally.
2. Digital nomad visas are essentially extended travel visas, often valid for one year and allowing residence for up to two to four years in the destination country without the option for permanent immigration.
However, in some Latin American and Southern European countries—such as Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, and Ecuador—digital nomads can eventually obtain local permanent residency or even naturalization after accumulating a certain length of stay.
For more information on digital nomad visa programs, explore the details in our “Global Digital Nomad Visas | An Incomplete Handbook” on this websites.
Italy Digital Nomad Visa: An Overview
The Italy Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the “Visa for Remote Workers” (Visto per Lavoro da Remoto), is a national visa designed to allow non-EU/EEA citizens to legally reside in Italy while working remotely for a company or clients outside of Italy.
It is a non-quota visa, meaning there is no annual limit on the number of applications the government can appThe visa is specifically aimed at highly skilled professionals who meet strict criteria regarding their professional qualifications, income, and remote work status:
1. Citizenship: You must be a citizen of a country outside the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.
2. Professional Qualifications: You must qualify as a “highly specialized worker,” which means you must demonstrate one of the following:
University Degree: A recognized Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree (minimum 3 years). OR
Professional Qualification: An accredited professional license or post-secondary professional qualification (lasting at least 3 years). OR
- Professional Experience: At least five years of relevant professional experience, OR at least three years of professional experience in the last seven years for managers/specialists.
Digital Nomad (Freelancer/Self-Employed): Individuals who work for themselves (e.g., freelancers, consultants, business owners) with clients located outside of Italy.
Remote Worker (Employee): Individuals who are employed on a payroll by a company that is not based in Italy.
4. Financial Requirements: You must prove a yearly income of at least €30,000 – €32,400 from a source outside of Italy. This is often demonstrated through bank statements, contracts, and tax returns.
5. Other Essential Requirements:
Proof of Accommodation: A lease, rental contract, or deed for a property in Italy that is valid for the duration of the visa.
Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage for the full duration of your stay in Italy, with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
Clean Criminal Record: A recent criminal background check from your country of residence and any country you have lived in for the past five years.
Application Process:
The application process for the Italian Digital Nomad Visa is a multi-step process that starts outside of Italy.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply:
📑 Step One: Gather and Prepare Your Documents
Collecting and preparing the documents is often the most time-consuming part.
Translations and Legalization: All non-Italian documents (like criminal checks, diplomas, etc.) must typically be translated into Italian by a sworn translator and may require an Apostille or other legalization, depending on the country of origin. Verify this crucial step with your specific consulate.
Application Form: Complete the official National Visa application form (Type D, for stays longer than 90 days).
Financial Proof: Collect bank statements, tax returns, or payslips to prove you meet the income threshold.
Accommodation Proof: Secure your accommodation contract and ensure it meets the consulate’s requirements (some require the landlord to have registered it with the Agenzia delle Entrate).
🗓️ Step Two: Book an Appointment at the Italian Consulate
Where to Apply: You must apply for the visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over your legal place of residence (where you currently live). You cannot apply from inside Italy.
Schedule: Appointment waiting times can be long (sometimes 2-4 months), so book as soon as you have your documents ready.
Fees: Be prepared to pay the nonrefundable visa application fee (typically around €116, but check the current exact amount and accepted payment methods with your consulate).
🛬 Step Three: Attend the Interview and Receive Your Visa
Interview: Attend your scheduled appointment with all original and photocopied documents. You will submit your application, provide biometric data (fingerprints), and may be interviewed to verify your qualifications and intent.
Processing: Processing time can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days or longer, depending on the consulate.
Approval: Once approved, the national (D-type) Digital Nomad Visa will be affixed to your passport. This visa is generally valid for one year and allows you to enter Italy.
🇮🇹 Step 5: Apply for the Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)
This is a critical post-arrival step that must be completed within 8 working days of entering Italy.
1. Get the Kit: Go to a local Poste Italiane (post office) that handles immigration and request the “Yellow Kit” (kit giallo) for a Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit) application.
2. Complete Forms: Fill out the forms in the kit and include copies of all the documents you submitted for your visa.
3. Submit and Pay: Return the kit to the post office and pay the application fees (€30.46 postal bulletin, €50 postal bulletin, and a €16 revenue stamp, plus a fee for the post office service).
4. Appointment: The post office will give you a receipt and an official appointment date and time for the Questura (Police Headquarters) for fingerprinting and to complete the process.
5. Receive Permit: After your Questura appointment, you will eventually receive your physical residence permit card.
Dependents:
The Italy Digital Nomad Visa allows the main applicant to bring their spouse and minor children (under 18) through the family reunification process.
Visa Validity:
The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is initially valid for one year.
Once you arrive in Italy with your Digital Nomad Visa, you are legally required to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit) at the local police headquarters. The Digital Nomad residence permit is renewable annually as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, such as maintaining the minimum income threshold, having valid health insurance, and proving ongoing remote work.
After five continuous years of legal residence in Italy, you may be eligible to apply for Permanent Residency (Permesso di Soggiorno UE per Soggiornanti di Lungo Periodo).
After ten years of continuous, legal residence as a civil and tax resident, you are then eligible to apply for Italian Citizenship by Naturalization. This process requires successful integration into Italian society, maintaining a clean record, and proving a higher level of Italian language proficiency (B1 level).
Official Links:
Italian Government Site Visa Page: https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti
SPID Public Digital Identity System: https://www.spid.gov.it/en/