Italy Digital Nomad Visa: Everything You Need to Know

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa offers remote workers the opportunity to live and work in one of Europe’s most desirable destinations. Designed for non-EU nationals, the visa allows professionals to work remotely while enjoying the culture, lifestyle, and landscapes of Italy.

Whether you are employed by a foreign company or work as a freelancer, this visa provides an exciting opportunity to combine career flexibility with the Italian way of life. In this guide, we cover the eligibility criteria, application process, and tax considerations for digital nomads looking to make Italy their base.

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is a residency permit designed for remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs who wish to live and work in Italy while continuing their professional activities for a company or clients based outside the country. It allows non-EU nationals to stay in Italy for up to one year, with the possibility to renew, as long as they continue to meet the necessary requirements.

This visa is part of Italy’s growing effort to attract international talent and establish itself as a prime destination for digital nomads. With its rich culture, vibrant cities, and high-quality lifestyle, Italy offers an ideal environment for remote work, while providing access to a fantastic work-life balance in stunning surroundings.

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa is aimed at non-EU nationals who work remotely and meet certain criteria. To be eligible for this visa, applicants must meet the following requirements.

Applicants must work for a company based outside of Italy, or be self-employed with international clients. This visa is specifically for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who are not dependent on the Italian job market. You’ll need to provide proof of employment or freelance work, such as contracts or client agreements, to demonstrate that your income is generated from abroad.

Applicants must meet a minimum annual income threshold to ensure they can support themselves while living in Italy. As of the latest information, this threshold is €25,500 per year, but it can change, so it’s worth checking the latest information. You can prove your income through bank statements, contracts, or tax returns to verify that your earnings meet the required amount.

Applicants must demonstrate professional qualifications by meeting one of the following criteria:

IT and senior management professionals may also qualify with three years of professional experience within the last seven years.

To qualify for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, you must have comprehensive international health insurance coverage that is valid within Italy. This ensures that you’ll have access to healthcare services during your stay, as Italy’s healthcare system requires foreign nationals to have insurance.

To qualify, you’ll need to show proof of accommodation in Italy. This can include a rental agreement, a letter from a host, or documents showing property ownership. The accommodation must be suitable for the duration of the visa, i.e. for a year.

To apply for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, you’ll need to gather the required documents, including proof of freelance work or employment with a non-Italian company, income, health insurance, and accommodation.

Then, schedule an appointment with the nearest Italian consulate or embassy in your home country. You can then submit your application with all necessary documents and attend the interview. You’ll also need to pay the application fee.

You should submit the application in good time – the Italian Consulate website advises that Digital Nomad Visas can take up to 120 days to process.

As a digital nomad in Italy, you may be subject to Italian tax laws depending on your residency status. It’s important to maintain proper records, such as proof of employment and income, to ensure compliance with local tax regulations.

If you stay for more than 183 days in a year, you may be considered a tax resident and liable for taxes on your worldwide income. Non-residents will only be taxed on income sourced within Italy.

Italy has numerous double tax treaties with other countries, designed to prevent individuals from being taxed on the same income in both their home country and Italy. For digital nomads, these treaties can be crucial in determining where taxes should be paid. Typically, the treaty will allow you to pay taxes in your country of residence, reducing or eliminating any double taxation. You should check whether their home country has such an agreement with Italy to avoid paying taxes twice on the same income.

If you’re moving to Italy to work remotely, make sure you have access to the best possible healthcare with our health insurance for digital nomads. Expatriate Group provides flexible, comprehensive health insurance policies specifically designed for expats living and working abroad. Get a quote today.