Italy Introduces Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers

Italy has introduced the Digital Nomad Visa for foreign remote workers. Highly qualified foreigners can now get a work visa in Italy for remote work needs. Non-EU applicants do not need to show heavy bank assets, the Italian language, or a job from an Italian employer to get this visa.

The Italian Interior Ministry with the decree of 29 February 2024, published in the Official Journal on 4 April 2024, defined methods and requirements for the entry and residence of highly qualified non-EU workers who intend to carry out remote working activities in Italy.

This new visa category opens the doors to highly qualified workers who wish to move to Italy from non-EU countries, to take advantage of a specific visa for remote workers and digital nomads.

Italy is now an official country to offer digital nomad visas as many other EU countries offer it.

History of Digital Nomad Visa in Italy

The Italian Digital Nomad Visa took a long time to come into implementation. The Italian Government introduced the Visa for digital nomads and remote workers in a Decree published on 27 January 2022 and subsequently converted into law in March 2022, following some changes made to the January publication. It finally became part of the official Gazette on 4 April 2024. This decree is known as the Sostegni ter Decree and the digital nomad visa in the Italian language called “permesso di soggiorno ai nomadi digital”.

Definition of Digital Nomad Visa

The digital nomad visa is a type of visa for those workers who can carry out their work tasks and activities remotely. Because they don’t have to abide by the constraints of physical offices, digital nomads can move freely. They can, therefore, rely on the Internet to communicate with customers and colleagues.

Who is a digital nomad worker?

A foreigner who carries out acts is defined as a digital nomad subordinate work or collaboration activities according to the methods set out in Art. 2, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree 81/2015.

Which workers qualify for the visa?

Non-EU citizens who carry out a highly qualified work activity through the use of technological tools that allow them to work remotely, independently, or for a company even if not resident in the national territory, can obtain the visa.

If these workers intend to work in Italy, entry and stay for periods exceeding 90 days are permitted outside of the quotas. However, even for entry and stay for periods of less than 90 days it will be necessary to issue an entry visa and a residence permit for digital nomads.

Requirements of Digital Nomad Visa of Italy

To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must:

• be able to work remotely, thanks to technological advancements;
• fall into the category of highly qualified workers;
• be non-EU citizens, as EU citizens are not required to apply for a visa;
• work as a self-employed person or for a company based outside Italy.

These other requirements include the possession of:

• Suitable documentation relating to the accommodation;
• A minimum annual income deriving from lawful sources not less than three times the minimum level required for exemption from participation in healthcare spending;
• Health insurance for medical treatment and hospitalization is valid in Italy for the entire period of the stay;
• Previous experience of at least 6 months in the work activity to be carried out as a digital nomad or remote worker;
• Employment or collaboration contract or the related binding offer – if remote workers – for the performance of a work activity that requires possession of one of the requirements referred to in the art. 27 quarter, paragraph 1 of the TUI;
• Declaration signed by the employer or client – accompanied by a copy of the identification document – certifying the absence of criminal convictions against him, in the last 5 years, for crimes referred to in the art. 22 paragraph 5-bis of the TUI (including aiding and abetting illegal immigration to Italy and illegal emigration from Italy to other states).
• Both in the case of entry as a digital nomad and the case of entry as a remote worker, work authorization is not required.

How to apply for a digital nomad or remote worker visa in Italy?

To attain this visa, the applicant does not have to request a Nulla Osta (i.e. a prior authorization issued by the Ministry of Labour). This exemption simplifies the application process by reducing the processing time of this specific visa. An important factor is that this visa does not fall under the “Decreto Flussi” quota stream which will allow as many as possible highly qualified workers in the country.

Documents required

The candidates interested in applying for this visa must include the following documents with their visa application:

• Income details and proofs of the previous fiscal year;
• duly filled visa application form for a long-term national visa;
• details of income source;
• documentation of remote work;
• personal passport valid beyond intended visa validity;
• a passport-sized photograph;
• a valid health and travel insurance;
• proof of relevant qualification; and
• proof of relevant work experience.

Apply at the embassy

Once you gather all the required documents, it is time to get an appointment from the Italian embassy in your country of origin. On the given day, submit your visa application and you will be informed about the result of it in due time.

Duration of residence permit

Within 8 days of entering Italy with the digital nomad visa, the applicant must submit the request for the relevant Italian residence permit.

Under Art. 4 of the new decree, this residence permit will bear the wording “digital nomad – remote worker”. It will be issued for a period not exceeding one year but with the possibility of annual renewal, where the conditions and requirements that allow it to be issued remain.

Can this visa be revoked?

The residence permit may be revoked in some cases, for example, if the current tax and contribution provisions are not respected. Or if, following verification by the competent Police Headquarters, the employer or client appears to have been convicted in the last 5 years for the crimes referred to in Article 22, paragraph 5-bis, of the TUI.

Family Reunification on Digital Nomad Visa

The holder of the digital nomad visa is allowed family reunification. Family members are issued a residence permit for the same duration as that of the worker.

Social Security and contributory obligations

The provisions of the bilateral conventions on social security in force between Italy and the third country concerned apply to holders of a digital nomad or remote worker visa subject to the social legislation of a non-EU country. In the absence of such agreements, the social security and insurance regulations provided for by Italian legislation apply instead, about the duration of the residence permit.

Digital nomads and remote workers will be assigned a tax code directly by the Police Headquarters when issuing the residence permit. Digital nomads will also be required to open their VAT numbers.