Italy•EuropeDigital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa
At a Glance
1–4 months
EUR €116
1 year
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote work OK
Living in Italy
Overview
Long-stay national visa for highly qualified non-EU remote workers and freelancers to live and work remotely from Italy.
Italy's Digital Nomad and Remote Worker Visa, launched 4 April 2024 under art. 6-quinquies of D.L. 144/2022 and the implementing decree of 29 February 2024, is a long-stay national (Type D) visa for non-EU citizens performing highly qualified remote work from Italy. It sits outside the Decreto Flussi quota.
Applicants must be highly skilled per art. 27-quater of D.Lgs. 286/1998 (degree, regulated-profession credential, or 3-5 years' ICT experience), show six months of prior remote work, prove income of at least three times the healthcare exemption (EUR 25,500), hold EUR 30,000 health cover, and have Italian accommodation. Valid up to one year, renewable, with family reunification allowed.
This visa is ideal for highly qualified non-EU freelancers, consultants, and remote employees of foreign companies who want to live in Italy long-term without a local sponsor.
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 1 year |
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Non-EU/EEA national
Highly qualified worker under art. 27-quater of Legislative Decree 286/1998 (bachelor's degree or higher, regulated-profession credential, OR a higher professional qualification with at least 5 years of relevant experience, OR at least 3 years of ICT manager/specialist experience within the prior 7 years)
Performs remote work for a company or clients based outside Italy, as a digital nomad (self-employed) or remote worker (employee)
Minimum annual income of at least EUR 25,500 (three times the Italian healthcare exemption threshold of EUR 8,500); income must derive from work, not passive sources
At least 6 months of prior work experience in the relevant field
Comprehensive medical and hospitalisation insurance covering Italy for the full stay (minimum EUR 30,000 coverage)
Suitable accommodation in Italy (registered rental contract or property deed covering the full visa duration)
Clean criminal record (declaration of no convictions in the last 5 years for specified offences)
Remote workers (employees) only: employment contract showing annual gross salary not less than EUR 33,000 and original employer letter attesting role and remote-work permission
KEY CRITERIA
Education
bachelor or higher
Experience
1+ years
Min. Income
25,500 EUR/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Completed and signed visa application form
Valid passport (with at least 3 months validity beyond stay and 2 blank pages)
Recent passport-sized photograph
Proof of remote work (employment contract or client agreements)
Evidence of professional qualifications or 5 years of work experience
Proof of annual income (tax returns, payslips, or bank statements)
Proof of accommodation in Italy
Comprehensive health insurance policy
Clean criminal record certificate
Visa application fee payment receipt
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- No Decreto Flussi quota - applications open year-round
- Self-petitioned: no Italian sponsor or job offer required
- Family reunification permitted under standard rules
- 1-year initial visa, renewable while requirements are met
- Schengen-area travel rights (90 in 180 days)
Worth Knowing
- Must qualify as 'highly skilled' under art. 27-quater (degree or 3-5 years' ICT experience)
- Income floor: at least EUR 25,500/year from active work (passive income excluded)
- Remote-worker (employee) track adds EUR 33,000 gross-salary minimum
- Processing can take up to 120 days; passport is held during review
- Becoming Italian tax-resident triggers worldwide income taxation
- EU/EEA/Swiss nationality (visa is for non-EU only)
- Cannot meet highly qualified threshold (no degree, regulated credential, or 3-5 years' qualifying experience)
- Income below 3x healthcare exemption (under EUR 25,500/year)
- Income is wholly passive (rentals, dividends, pensions) rather than from remote work
- Cannot evidence at least 6 months of prior remote-work experience
Application Process
Gather documents
Prepare proof of income, employment contract, accommodation proof, health insurance
Book consulate appointment
Schedule appointment at Italian consulate for visa application
Submit application
Submit all documents in person at consulate
Biometric collection
Provide fingerprints and photograph at appointment
Pay visa fee
Pay EUR 50 visa fee
Await decision
Wait for processing, typically 60-90 days
Collect visa
Pick up visa from consulate
Apply for residence permit
Within 8 days of arrival in Italy, apply for residence permit
Application Forms
| National Visa Application Form | — |
Related visas
More visas in Italy
- Elective Residence Visa
Retirement
- EU Long-Term Residence Permit
Residency
- Visa for Family Members of EU/EEA Citizens
Family
Digital nomad visas in other countries
- Virtual Work Residence Visa
United Arab Emirates
- LTR Visa - Work-from-Thailand Professional
Thailand
- Digital Nomad Residence (Residència per a Nòmades Digitals)
Andorra
Living in Italy
Ready to see if the Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa is your visa path?
Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.
Start Visa Discovery