Wildcard Nomad

Digital Nomad Visa Guide to Italy

Imagine your office overlooking the cobblestone streets of Rome or nestled in a Tuscan village surrounded by vineyards. Italy’s rich culture, history, and delicious cuisine make it a dream destination for digital nomads seeking a perfect blend of work and pleasure.

The highly anticipated Italy Digital Nomad Visa is set to launch soon, allowing you to make this dream a reality. It is a much-welcomed alternative to the Italy Self-Employment Visa, renowned for its restricted quotas and difficulty to obtain. While not all program details are finalized, this guide offers insight into what to expect when applications are open.

Does Italy Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa has been voted into Italian law on March 28, 2022, but applications are not yet open. If you rather not wait and are a self-employed professional or a freelancer, you can apply right now for the Self-Employed Visa in Italy. Read further for details.

Who Can Apply for an Italy Digital Nomad Visa?

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa was created for remote workers who are non-EU citizens. The visa will simplify the application process by eliminating the need for a Nulla Osta (work authorization form) that’s required in the Self-Employed Visa. 

The Italian Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Labour still needs to define specific nuances in program procedures and requirements. However, there are some eligibility and required documents that are already known. Keep in mind, the details may change and the Italian consulates will have the final say on who gets these visas.

Eligibility Criteria

Non-EU Citizens: The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is primarily designed for non-EU citizens who wish to work remotely while residing in Italy. Individuals from countries outside the European Union are eligible to apply for this visa to work remotely in Italy.

Skilled Professionals: The visa targets highly skilled professionals who possess specialized expertise in their respective fields. The exact definition of “highly skilled” is not specified. Applicants are likely expected to demonstrate a level of proficiency or expertise in their line of work. For example, you could be a highly qualified worker as a freelancer or a professional employee with a background in higher education or significant experience.

Employed by Companies Based Outside Italy: Applicants must be employed by companies registered outside Italy. This requirement is to ensure remote workers are employed by international companies and are not competing for work in Italian companies.

Documents Required for Italy Digital Nomad Visa

  • Valid Passport: National passport valid for at least three months after your return date from Italy. It must be issued within the previous 10 years and have two blank pages.
  • Passport Photos: 2 Passport-sized color photos, taken no older than six months.
  • Application Form: Fully completed application form and declaration.
  • Work Contract: Proof of work with a company registered outside Italy. 
  • Valid Health Insurance: Applicants need to have valid comprehensive health insurance coverage, including hospitalization and medical expenses, for the duration of their stay in Italy.
  • Financial Means: Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in Italy. This may include bank statements, pay slips, or tax returns as proof of economic solvency. The exact minimum income or salary requirements are yet to be specified. 
  • Clean Criminal Record: A clean criminal record certificate from the applicant’s home country or any other country of residence is mandatory. 
  • Proof of Accommodation: Applicants must provide proof of accommodation in Italy, which could be a rental agreement or hotel booking. This ensures that applicants have suitable housing arrangements during their stay.

Remote Working in Italy

Foreign visitors who want to legally work remotely in Italy can use the Visa for Italy questionnaire by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It’s important to note that any type of work, even online with clients outside Italy, requires a work visa. Currently, the only way for digital nomads to legally work online in Italy is to apply for the Self-Employment Visa.

EU citizens may work without a special permit, but tax and social security responsibilities will vary based on employment status, duration of stay, and employer location. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local consulate are the best ways to stay updated with regulation changes.

Italy Self-Employed Visa 

Remote workers still have the option to live in Italy through Italy’s Self-Employed Visa (Visto per Lavoratori Autonomi). It is an entrance visa for individuals that permits you to enter Italy. You will have to apply for this visa at a Consulate of Italy, in your home country. After you get this visa, you can enter Italy. After entering Italy on a work visa, you will need to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (Residency Permit) within 8 working days.

You will also need an approved Nulla Osta (work permit/authorization) from the Questura (Italian Ministry Police Headquarters) to stay in Italy and work remotely. Obtaining this visa can be challenging due to its limited quotas and rigorous screening.

What are the Types of Italy Self Employment Visas?

Italy offers several types of self-employed visas for ambitious professionals. The most popular options are the following:

Italy Startup Visa (Visto Per Lavoro Autonomo): Designed for foreigners aspiring to establish innovative companies in Italy or join existing companies in executive positions. Required minimum investment of €50,000.

Italy Freelancer Visa (Visto Per Lavoratori Autonomi): Granted to individuals planning to engage in self-employed freelance work without being hired by a specific company.

Italy Entrepreneur Visa: Targeted at foreigners aiming to execute investment plans benefiting the Italian economy, requiring a minimum investment of €500,000.

Requirements for the Italy Self-Employment Visa

  • Be a non-EU or non-EEA national
  • Show proof of accommodation in Italy
  • 2 passport-sized photos, full color with white background, no older than 6 months
  • Valid Passport with at least 3 months validity after the intended date of departure
  • Clean criminal record with no convictions
  • Approved Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment).  This is a work authorization security clearance obtained from the Questura (Police Headquarter)
  • Health insurance to cover hospitalization and medical expenses in Italy for at least the first 30 days entering the country
  • Proof of minimum annual income of €8,400 earned one year before visa application; or contractual evidence for services provided to Italian companies or clients

How to Apply for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa or Self-Employed Visa

Check the Application Period and Quota

Keep an eye on the annual publication set by the Flows Decree (Decreto Flussi) found on the official Italian Ministry of Labor website. This is the available timeframe for applying for the Self-Employment Visa. It typically opens near the beginning and end of the year. It also shows the designated quota limits for various classes of visas.

Key 2024 dates:

The 2024 Quota for entry of non-EU citizens is 151,000.

Non-EU residents can submit applications from April 1, 2024, to May 31, 2024.

Gather the Required Documents

Gather the required documents as outlined in the previous section. In addition, supplemental documents will be required to apply for a work permit (Nulla Osta). These include registration with the Chamber of Commerce, proof of legal requirements to perform the work activities, and a certificate from relevant authorities declaring that there are no reasons to prevent you from issuing work authorization.

Submit Nulla Osta (Certificate of No Impediment)

Apply online for the Nulla Osta Lavoro, also known as the Certificate of ‘No Impediment’. It is a work permit that authorizes you for self-employed work. It is a required document to apply for the Self-Employed visa. 

The procedures and requirements will vary depending on your profession. In most cases, you will first need to apply online and make an appointment at the Italian Police Headquarters (Questura) in the city where you intend to reside. You can hire an immigration lawyer to represent you throughout this process. If your Nulla Osta is approved, you can then apply for the Self-Employed Visa. The Nulla Osta is valid for 6 months, so make sure to enter Italy before it expires.

Complete Self-Employed Visa Application

Download and fill out the Self-Employment Visa application form on the official Italian Consulate website in your home country. Provide information about your work, accommodation plans, and financial stability. Pay close attention to specified formats and validity requirements or you risk getting your application denied.

Schedule an Appointment

Book an appointment with the Italian Consulate or Embassy in your home country. Do this well in advance, as availability varies. Check the official website for appointment procedures and additional requirements.

Submit Your Application

Arrive on time at the Italian Consulate, making sure you have all your documents with you. Rehearse for additional questions regarding your work or intention to move. During your visit, you will need to provide fingerprints. After submitting everything, the Consulate staff will review your application for compliance with visa requirements. Now you are ready to wait patiently for your self-employed journey in Italy. If your application is successful, you will be issued a Self-Employed visa and have 6 months to enter Italy from the date of issue.

Expected Time Frame

It may take up to 90 days for the Self-Employed Visa to be approved and issued from the date of applying. Processing time varies widely based on where you apply, the time of year, and the type of visa being processed.

Arrive in Italy and Apply for a Residence Permit

After receiving the Self-Employed Visa you can enter Italy. After entry, you must apply for the residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within 8 working days to work and stay legally in Italy. The residence permit can be applied via a postal kit found at a Postal Office with a Sportello Amico counter. After documentation has been submitted you can proceed to book an appointment at the Police Headquarters (Questura) to obtain your residence permit.

Documents Required for Residence Permit:

  • Submit the Residence Permit application in person after completing and signing it
  • Photocopy of all pages of your passport or a similar travel document
  • Proof of sufficient funds to start your intended activity in Italy
  • A certificate of enrollment in professional or trade registers
  • Nulla Osta (Certificate of ‘No Impediment”) 
  • Evidence of suitable accommodation arrangements, such as hotel bookings
  • Evidence of an annual income surpassing the minimum required by law for exemption from health service payments. Alternatively, you can provide a guarantee from an organization, an Italian citizen, or a foreign national with legal residency in Italy.

Summary

The Digital Nomad Visa for Italy is a highly anticipated visa for remote workers that is almost ready for application. No date has been specified which means that the only option to legally stay and work remotely in Italy is through the Self-Employed Visa. It is a challenging visa to obtain due to its restricted quotas and highly bureaucratic procedure. If you had the choice between waiting for Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa to become available or applying for the Self-Employed Visa, we would highly suggest going with the former option.