Make Italy Your Office: Digital Nomad Visa Guidelines and Tips

Oksana Blyskun, autor

A new remote work visa was approved in Italian legislation on March 28, 2022, and has been in effect since April 4, 2024.

  The decree from the Italian government defines a digital nomad as a citizen of non-EU states "who carries out a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools capable of allowing them to work remotely, both as a self-employed worker or as a collaborator or employee of a company even if not resident in Italy."

The visa is open to workers who have an annual income of at least three times the minimum level required for exemption from participation in healthcare costs in Italy. That figure amounts to just under €28,000 annually.

  Health insurance is required for acceptance, with individuals needing to have robust plans valid for the entire period of their stay.

  Applicants must demonstrate suitable accommodation for the duration of their stay and show they have been a digital nomad or remote worker elsewhere for at least six months previously.

  They will need to visit a valid diplomatic-consular office and submit a declaration signed by their employer before any visa will be granted.

  Not everyone is eligible to apply, though. It is advised that individuals who have been convicted of a crime within the last five years, even with a non-definitive sentence, will be automatically rejected from the visa process.

The permit issued will indicate: "digital nomad - remote worker" and will be valid for up to one year. It can be renewed annually, but only if the conditions and requirements that led to its issuance remain in place.

It will only be granted to those with "advanced technological means", implying it's suitable for individuals who can work remotely from Italy.

Your Italian Office

If a digital nomad wants to bring family members along, that's also allowed, but with certain conditions. Italy's police headquarters have the final say on whether a residence permit for family reasons can be granted.

Applicants must be tax compliant in Italy before applying for the visa. Typically, the Italian tax authorities will need to communicate with the tax authority of the applicant's home country.

In case of tax violations, the violation will be reported to the authority that issued the visa.

Starting from 4 April 2024, applications are being accepted for Italy's digital nomad visa.

 Interested individuals must schedule an in-person appointment at an Italian consulate in their country of residence.

Required documentation includes a valid passport, proof of employment, proof of income, health insurance, proof of accommodation in Italy, and a criminal record certificate.

  Once the visa is approved, applicants have eight days from their arrival in Italy to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).

Good luck!