Italy’s New Digital Nomad Visa: What You Need To Know
In recent years, a global shift in work culture has resulted in a rise to a new generation of professionals known as digital nomads. They can use technology to work remotely, free of traditional office spaces and geographical boundaries.
Recognising this growing trend and the economic opportunities it presents, an increasing number of countries are now offering specialised visas tailored to meet the needs of these digital nomads and granting qualifying individuals residency rights for a specific amount of time.
Does Italy Offer Visa Specific To Digital Nomads?
The Italian government passed a statute implementing the Digital Nomad Visa in early 2022 and designated responsibility for issuing the visa's regulations to another government body.
After three years of negotiations, Italy officially signed a digital nomad visa into law and applications are now available!
As of April 4, 2024, remote workers and self-employed people can apply to live in Italy for up to a year.
How To Qualify
Italy's Digital Nomad Visa is specifically designed for those living outside of the European Union and fall within the category of highly skilled workers who can work remotely.
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. Applicants must demonstrate a monthly income exceeding €2,335 or just under €28,000 annually.
Health insurance appears to be the most important requirement of acceptance, with individuals needing to take out robust plans valid for the entire period of their stay.
Those applying must prove they have suitable accommodation for the length of their stay and that they have been a digital nomad or remote worker elsewhere for at least six months previously.
As with most visa programs, you'll need to provide a clean criminal record.
How To Apply
To apply for Italy's Digital Nomad Visa, you need to gather all necessary documents.
- Valid Passport
- Passport-Sized Photos
- Proof of Employment
- Proof of Income
- Comprehensive Health Insurance
- Proof of Accommodation in Italy
- Criminal Background Check (no convictions in the past five years for crimes relating to migration, prostitution, exploitation of minors or labour exploitation)
Applicants then need to book an appointment with the Italian consulate in their country of residence and submit their application. The visa fee is €116 per application.
As with applications for other types of Italian visas, the exact requirements, and waiting times for approval, may vary by consulate.
You can expect the visa within 30 to 90 days. The permit given will read“digital nomad – remote worker” and will be valid for a period not exceeding one year. It can be renewed annually, but only if the conditions and requirements that allowed it to be issued persist.
Once your visa is approved, you have 8 days after arriving in Italy to apply for a residence permit, also known as permesso di soggiorno.
Italy Digital Nomad Visa VS Italy Self-Employment Visa
Italy currently offers a self-employment visa and various other work visa options. However, obtaining the digital nomad visa will grant successful applicants a work permit that is not subject to Italy’s restricted quota system for foreign workers.
This is significant because the quota system only allocates 500 permits per year to self-employed workers, assuming they meet all the necessary criteria, including the specific definition of a ‘self-employed worker' as per the self-employment visa requirements.
While a digital nomad visa doesn’t directly guarantee a permanent stay, it could be a first step in that direction for those interested in moving to Italy.
To discover remote work possibilities,, check out our blog post.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.
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