Moving to Italy as a non-EU citizen just got a whole lot easier: As of April 2024, the Italian government has finally introduced the ‘Digital Nomad Visa’. The visa, also known as Visto d’Ingresso per Nomadi Digitali e Lavoratori da Remoto, is a gateway to Italy for specialized workers and entrepreneurs who can perform their jobs remotely.
Who is the Digital Nomad Visa for?
The Italian Digital Nomad Visa recognizes two main categories of eligible applicants:
- Digital Nomads: freelancers, consultants, or other independent specialists who are self-employed or run their own companies
- Remote Workers: employees of a company who allows them to perform their work fully remotely
What are the Eligibility Requirements for the Italian Digital Nomad Visa?
The following are main requirements all applicants must fulfill:
- Qualifying Profession, which may be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
- Proof of at least five years of professional experience in the field of work permitting remote occupation
- For licensed professions (e.g. architects, engineers, etc.), licensing provided by the relevant Italian authority, or equivalent attestation.
- Annual personal income of at least €28,000 (2024 requirement). This is equivalent to three times the income level below which Italian residents are exempt from paying health insurance premiums.
- Travel Health Insurance policy providing coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization costs, and repatriation for medical reasons. As per the San Francisco consulate guidelines, the insurance must cover medical expenses of at least €30,000 per person per year (or $50,000 per person per year if amounts are defined in USD) and be applicable in all European Union member States.
- Proof of residential accommodation (rental contract or deed for property in Italy) of a duration of at least 12 months. Leases can be complicated to obtain in the current market, where landlords are overly cautious due to strong tenant protection imposed by Italian law.
- Proof of 6+ months of prior work experience in the profession that allows them to work remotely.
Remote workers (employees) must also provide:
- Employment contract
- Letter from employer stating that the employer has not been convicted of any crimes related to the facilitation of illegal immigration.
Challenges with Italian Digital Nomad Visa requirements
The main challenge with the Digital Nomad Visa for Italy is to prove that you have a long-term accommodation in Italy. Unless you had already planned to do so, you may want to avoid making a real estate investment in Italy ahead of obtaining your visa. Leasing a space rather than buying is a rational choice for most who are venturing in life abroad for the first time.
Unfortunately, the Italian rental market is highly competitive (Idealista indicates that, on average, 17% of Italian rental listings are leased within 24 hours of posting), and the standard term for a rental contract is four years. Convincing local landlords to accept foreign tenant credentials and a shorter lease term requires extensive research and negotiation, resulting in prospective tenants struggling to find viable solutions.
If you are looking for rental solutions that will allow you to qualify for an Italian Digital Nomad Visa, Dolce Living has a track record of supporting clients with residential leases that satisfy the Digital Nomad Visa requirements. Leasing Italian homes and apartments is possible and we are here to prove it!
What to do after obtaining the Italian Digital Nomad Visa?
Within eight working days of entering Italy using your newly issued Digital Nomad Visa, you must apply for a residency permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) with the local Questura (provincial police headquarters). In most Italian cities, this can be done by personally submitting an application at your local post office.
The physical Permesso di Soggiorno is a small ID card, similar to the U.S. green card, which replaces your visa. You do not need to apply for a visa again while your Permesso is valid. The Permesso di Soggiorno for Digital Nomads is issued for one year (12 calendar months). In order to continue living in Italy beyond the initial term of the Permesso, you must request a renewal at your local Questura. You will be allowed to do so as long as you maintain your lawful employment, residence, and health insurance coverage.
Because you will need to provide many of the same documents that were required upon your initial visa application, we encourage you to make photocopies of everything you plan to submit. You may use it all again and again!
