Italy Digital Nomad Visa: What We Know So Far
Italy’s visa for digital nomads and remote workers isn’t new anymore. The government signed it into law in February 2024 and it’s been processing applications since April 2024. Consulates and questure across the country now have a working process, so this page covers what’s actually happening, not what might happen.
The scheme actually covers two groups under one visa: “nomadi digitali” (self-employed people working for clients outside Italy) and “lavoratori da remoto” (employees working remotely for a non-Italian employer). Both apply the same way and face the same requirements.
Income requirement
You need a minimum annual income of about €24,790, which works out to roughly €2,066 a month.
The law doesn’t set a fixed euro figure. It sets the threshold at three times the minimum income level for exemption from Italy’s healthcare contribution charge, which is currently €8,263.31 a year. Multiply that by three and you get €24,789.93.
A few consulates round this differently on their own websites. Some quote figures as high as €25,500 or €28,000, because they’re rounding the underlying healthcare threshold up rather than using the exact figure. Since the healthcare exemption threshold can be revised, check the figure quoted by the consulate where you’re applying before you submit. But €24,790 a year is the figure that matches the current official threshold and the calculation set out in the decree.
If you’re bringing a spouse, the household threshold rises to roughly €34,000 a year. Each dependent child adds a further amount on top of that. Ask your consulate for the exact current figures, since these are recalculated from the same base threshold.
Who qualifies
You need to show you’re a “highly qualified” worker. That means one of the following:
- A university degree from a course of at least three years, or an equivalent post-secondary professional qualification
- For regulated professions, certification from the relevant Italian authority under Legislative Decree 206/2007
- At least five years of relevant professional experience, if you’re applying on the experience route rather than the qualification route
On top of whichever of those applies, you also need at least six months of prior experience doing the specific remote work or freelance activity you plan to continue in Italy.
You must also:
- Work for a company, or have clients, based outside Italy
- Hold a clean criminal record for the past five years
- Have valid health insurance covering Italy for your full stay, with a minimum of €30,000 in coverage
- Have arranged accommodation in Italy before you apply
There’s no quota and no cap on nationality. There’s also no requirement to get a preliminary work authorisation (nulla osta) before applying, which is what makes this visa faster than most other Italian work visas.
Required documents
- Valid passport, with at least three months’ validity beyond your planned stay
- Completed national visa (type D) application form, with two ICAO-standard photographs
- Proof of your qualification or five years’ experience, apostilled and translated into Italian
- For employees: your employment contract or a binding job offer, showing pay that meets Italian collective bargaining standards or the ISTAT national average for the role
- For self-employed applicants: contracts or evidence of an ongoing client relationship
- Proof of six months’ prior experience in the role
- Proof of income meeting the threshold (payslips, tax returns, or bank statements)
- Health insurance policy documentation, minimum €30,000 coverage
- Proof of accommodation in Italy: a registered lease, a property deed, or a hosting declaration
- Self-declaration or documentation confirming no criminal convictions in the past five years
Any foreign document needs an apostille and an official Italian translation.
How to apply
- Gather and apostille your documents before you start. This is the step that takes longest, so start here.
- Submit your national visa application at the Italian consulate that covers where you legally live. You do not apply from inside Italy.
- Pay the visa fee, currently €116 (this is revised quarterly with the exchange rate, so confirm the exact amount with your consulate).
- Wait for processing. Consulates report around two months, though it can run longer depending on the consulate’s workload.
- Once your visa is issued, travel to Italy.
- Apply for your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the local police headquarters (Questura) within eight working days of arrival, using the postal kit system.
- If you’re self-employed, register for a partita IVA (VAT number) and enrol with INPS for social security. Employees working for a foreign company should check their tax position with an Italian commercialista, since remote employees can still trigger Italian tax residency.
Costs and fees
- National visa application: €116, adjusted quarterly
- Permesso di soggiorno postal kit: about €76 in total, made up of a €16 marca da bollo (revenue stamp), a €30 postal handling charge, and a €30.46 electronic permit production fee, plus a duration-based contribution set by the Questura
- Health insurance: varies by provider, but needs to cover at least €30,000
- Apostilles and certified translations: varies by country and document
Permit duration and renewal
The residence permit is issued for one year. You can renew it annually at the Questura as long as you still meet the income, insurance, and accommodation conditions. There’s no fixed limit on how many times you can renew, provided you keep qualifying.
After five years of continuous legal residence in Italy, you can apply for an EU long-term residence permit. After ten years of legal residence, you become eligible to apply for Italian citizenship, the same general rule that applies to most long-term residence permits in Italy, not something specific to this visa.
Bringing family
Your spouse and minor children can join you through family reunification under Article 29 of Italy’s immigration code. Their residence permits run for the same period as yours. As noted above, bringing dependents raises the income threshold you need to show, so check the current figures with your consulate before you apply.
FAQ
What’s the minimum income to qualify? About €24,790 a year, or roughly €2,066 a month, based on three times Italy’s current healthcare exemption threshold. Some consulates quote a rounded figure instead, so confirm the number with the consulate handling your application.
Do I need a job offer from an Italian company? No. The whole point of this visa is that your income comes from outside Italy. Employees need a contract or binding offer from a non-Italian employer; self-employed applicants need ongoing client work from outside Italy.
Do I need a university degree? Not necessarily. A three-year degree or equivalent qualification is the main route, but you can also qualify with at least five years of relevant professional experience.
How long does the visa last, and can I renew it? The initial residence permit is valid for one year. You renew it annually at the Questura as long as you still meet the requirements.
Can I bring my spouse and children? Yes, through family reunification. Their permits match the length of yours, and the household income threshold goes up when you add dependents.
Do I have to pay Italian tax? If you spend more than 183 days a year in Italy, you’re likely to become an Italian tax resident, which means declaring worldwide income there. Get advice from a commercialista before you move, since this affects both employees and the self-employed differently.
Is there a cap on how many visas Italy issues? No quota is set out in the decree, and no nationality restrictions apply.
See if this fits your situation
Reading the requirements is one thing. Knowing whether you’d actually qualify, and which country fits best, is another. Take the quiz to get a personalized read on your income, timeline, and options.