Italy’s New Digital Nomad Visa: A Comprehensive Guide [2025]

Updated 09/2025

Italy, your favorite destination for vacation, and your dream home, is now making it slightly easier to make that a reality. Yes, it’s true, there is finally a Italy digital nomad visa for remote workers outside the EU. This opportunity allows digital nomads to experience life in Italy while fulfilling their professional obligations. This article will provide an in-depth look at Italy’s new digital nomad visa, its requirements, benefits, and the application process.

Just a note ahead of time – this is a brand new visa, and I don’t yet have experience or examples to pull from. While it sounds great on paper, the full process might prove to be much more difficult. (In fact, this article shares some hesitations that I, too, feel.) Consulate members might not be up to date; chaos might ensue when you go to apply, but know that it legally exists. If you run into any resistance, going with a lawyer is your best bet.

Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

If you want to apply for this new visa to Italy here’s the criteria you have to meet:

1. This is only for non-EU citizens.
2. You must be EITHER a Remote Worker with a contract from an employer outside of Italy, allowing you to work remote. This contract must meet the minimum median requirements. OR a Freelancer.
3. You must be a “highly skilled worker,” meaning you must show proof of a degree or professional training with between 3-5 years of professional experience (depends on sector).
4. Income of no less than 24,789 euros a year.

If you are sure you meet that, then this is the list of paperwork you need to show:

• Passport (valid!)
• National Visa Form (here’s an example from the NY Consulate)
• Passport Photo 40x35mm
• Proof of travel medical insurance covering all the days you will be out of US. Coverage must not be less than €30,000. (OR Italian Health Insurance, if by some chance you have it)
• Rental Contract or Deed showing a residence in Italy. This must be an official contract covering the length of the whole visa. It must be in the form of a Contratto di Locazione ad Uso Abitativo, complete with proof that the landlord has registered it with the Agenzia delle Entrate.
• Proof of income of at least three times the minimum necessary to pay healthcare taxes in Italy, no less than €24,789/ year.
• Proof of six or more months’ prior work experience in the field ( more on this below)
• Proof of qualifying profession (more on this below)

“Qualifying Profession” – How To Prove it

In order to show proof of a qualifying profession there are a few different things you can show. As mentioned this visa is only available for those of you who have careers that require post-secondary degrees or at least three years’ professional training or experience.

You can show it in these ways:

• A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, with the Declaration of Value. This is also done through the Consulate and requires all diplomas and transcripts in their original to be notarized and apostilled. More in this blog.
• Suppose you plan on working as an architect, engineer, nurse, or teacher, etc.. In that case, you’ll need to obtain a certificate from the applicable Italian Authority certifying that you possess the required qualifications. This is for any profession that in Italy requires a license. You can check here.
• OR A higher professional qualification with proof of at least five years’ professional experience in the field (if you are in ICT, then only three years).  To prove these five years, you need to show:
  • The Company you worked for, and in what sector it operates in
  • Your position in the company
  • Copy of your contract, or payslips while working for them
  • A letter from that company stating your duties during that employment time.

Proof of Experience and Additional Documentation

Those last two points require different paperwork depending on if you are a “remote worker” or a “freelancer”.

If you are a remote worker here’s specifically what you’ll need to include:

• Employment contract that has to show a salary equal to or exceeding the “collective contracts” in Italy, or at least above the median annual salary determined by ISTAT. (I’m going to be honest here, if you have a full-time contract from any country like UK, US, Australia, or Canada, yes you’re fine, the parameter is low.)
• Letter from your employer stating they have not been convicted in the past five years of any crimes related to immigration (exploitation, illegal immigration, trafficking, etc). Here is a sample, again from the NY Consulate, you can adjust for your own. Make sure it’s signed by a legal rep of the employer and includes a copy of their ID.
• To show proof of experience in the field you can show tax returns, pay slips or a letter from the employer attesting to time worked.

If you are a freelancer, then you just need to show proof of experience and income through tax returns, client invoices, or membership in professional or industrial associations.

A last note on documentation for Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa

As you might have gathered, it’s simple… yet not. It’s a lot of paperwork, and the complexity is going to depend more on your specific situation. As usual, it’s also going to depend on who’s processing your application and the mood they are in.

If you have a degree that you can get the Declaration of Value for, then you are really all set. I’ve been told by my dear friend Damien O’Farrell (whom I strongly recommend you reach out to if you run into any issues during the process) that if your degree is in a different field than your work, you can still get a pass by showing proof of working in the field for five years.

The rest of the proof documentation will depend a little on your relationship with all employers.

When it comes to challenges, the only big one is getting a rental contract in Italy. This is the most annoying catch-22 because to get one, you also have to have a Codice Fiscale, and to get that, you need to get a legal representative or come on over to Italy. At the moment, my biggest advice here is to either come to Italy spend some time on a tourist visa while you get it sorted, hire a lawyer to help you get situated, or work with a property finder.

I’m currently on the hunt for good contacts for you all to help smooth out this process. At the moment, I do know one specific property finder focused on Tuscany, namely the Arezzo area, who can help out. Give her a shout if you need, and if you happen to know anyone else who can help, send me a message!

After the Visa – The Permesso di Soggiorno and Taxes

We’ve covered what you need while applying, but to clarify, when you begin this new digital nomad life in Italy, you will need to remain compliant with Italian tax regulations. Every country has a different agreement with Italy, but if you remain longer than 180 days a year in Italy, you will owe taxes. This will involve opening a Partita IVA and finding a trusted account to help clarify.

Also once you arrive with the Italy digital nomad visa in your passport, you do need to apply for the Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days of arrival. When renewing, you will renew this Permesso, in Italy, not the original visa. You’ll need to show all the same documentation as the visa.

Your residence permit will be good for one year, and you will then have to renew it. You can renew for every year that the visa is valid.

Now about those taxes. Yes, you’re going to need to have a wonderful Partita IVA. This is an Italian tax code and you’ll have to do your taxes in Italy. By giving up residence in your home country and taking up residence in Italy, you should not be double-taxed. However, please consult with someone fluent in both countries if you are concerned about investments, pensions, etc. As for opening and managing your partita IVA, I highly recommend xolo. This is an online service in English that can help you open, invoice, and file your Italian taxes.

Benefits of Having Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa

The Italy digital nomad visa offers several advantages, making it a great way to make Italy home.

1. A one-year validity with the possibility of extension, as long as you keep meeting those requirements! Meaning this can continue as long as you are dedicated to it.
2. No need to apply for the nulla osta or decreto flussi. (THE main highlight of this visa, setting it apart from the Freelance visa and making it easier for you to come!)
3. Family Unification – bring your spouse, and kids on over! This offers you a chance to start a new life in Italy with your family.

How do you Apply?

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Gathering the necessary documents, including proof skilled professional status, employment by a company based outside Italy, and valid health insurance coverage. All what is mentioned above.
2. Set an appointment with your local consulate.
3. Submit the application and documents through the local consulate.
4. Awaiting approval and following any additional instructions provided by the Italian authorities.
5. Once approved, head to Italy and immediately apply for your Permesso di Soggiorno (learn more about that process here).

Final Thoughts

Italy’s new digital nomad visa presents a great opportunity for remote workers to experience life in Italy while maintaining their professional commitments. Italy is a dream destination for working remotely – imagine the great views and great wine you can sip on while you close up a project?

Disclaimer:This article aims to provide general information about Italy’s digital nomad visa. For the most up-to-date and accurate details, it is recommended to consult official government sources or consult with legal professionals specializing in Italian immigration law.