Italy's New Digital Nomad Visa - What You Need to Know

It’s finally here. After being vaguely announced in 2022 with little direction, Italy finally has a digital nomad visa option in 2024. Most other articles I’ve seen on this topic simply regurgitate requirements after minimal research. They offer little added value or a realistic perspective on how things actually work in Italy.

This is very exciting news for me, as more like-minded work-travelers will be able to experience the country I’m proud to call my second home. In this post I’ll share the details of the visa, as well as some unique insights as someone that’s been living in Italy for over 3 years and been a digital nomad for more than half of that.

No article about digital nomads is complete without the obligatory image of a person on a computer with some iconic scenery in the background:

Digital nomad sitting with a laptop in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. The young adult is depicted with clear facial features, looking towards the camera, symbolizing the blend of modern remote work and the rich historical backdrop of Italian architecture — *The Roman Colosseum on the canal in Venice – that’s amore! Thanks, A.I.*

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What is the Italy Digital Nomad Visa?

The Italy Digital Nomad Visa was originally introduced in March 2022, without a clear definition or application procedure. But now it’s official: as of 2024, the Italy Digital Nomad Visa allows non-EU citizens to live and work remotely in Italy for a renewable one-year period. This initiative, targeting skilled professionals who work independently, aims to attract a diverse group of remote workers to Italy using their own tech setups. Is it to compete with the 50 some-odd other countries doing the same? Is it to attract foreigners to make up for Italy’s declining population? Is it to keep Italy relevant for working professionals? I’ll go with D) all of the above.

An open laptop displaying a document on Google Docs, with a glass of red wine on the side, offering a majestic view of the ancient stone buildings of Matera, Italy, under a clear blue sky. — *There are worse places to work than on a terrace overlooking Matera.*

Why do you need a visa anyway?

Citizens of many non-EU countries, including the US, Canada, and Australia, can enter Italy without a visa for tourism or business purposes and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This 90-day rule is common across the Schengen Area, which allows for border-free travel between the participating countries.

I meet many travelers in Italy who don’t have the good fortune I have of being born with Italian ancestry (like me) with the ability to claim an Italian passport. If you’re one of those travelers, Italy’s digital nomad visa may be a good option for you, in which case keep reading. If you do have Italian ancestry and want to get your Italian passport, read this.

In sum, without a visa (study, work, residency, etc.) or EU citizenship, your pizza, pasta, and cannoli escapes will be limited to 90 days – and who wants that?

Who Can Apply?

If you’re a non-EU citizen and dream of living in Italy for at least a year, this visa might be for you. Applicants must earn at least €24,789 annually (about $26,000) from remote work performed using digital tools. You’ll also need to prove your status as a highly skilled worker, have comprehensive health insurance valid for your stay, provide proof of registered accommodation, and demonstrate a clean criminal record.

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

If you’re considering applying for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, here’s what you need to know about the updated requirements as of 2025. This visa is available to highly specialized professionals, including freelancers, consultants, and remote workers employed by a company, who meet specific criteria.

Key Requirements:

Income Threshold

Applicants must demonstrate a legal income of at least three times the minimum required to pay healthcare taxes in Italy. As of 2024, this means earning no less than €24,789 annually (approximately $26,000 USD). This income must specifically come from the remote work you plan to perform in Italy—passive income sources like rents, dividends, or Social Security don’t qualify. Acceptable proof includes:

Tax returns
Client invoices
Pay slips
Bank statements

Before my fellow Americans go parading around about how “that’s nothing”, consider that that’s a common income for southern Europe.

Health Insurance

You need travel medical insurance with coverage for medical expenses, hospitalization, and repatriation for medical reasons, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 (or $50,000—don’t ask me how they made that conversion, but that’s what’s published). Alternatively, you can provide proof of an Italian health insurance policy or submit an affidavit promising to purchase one upon arrival.

If you’re looking for travel insurance that meets these requirements, one option worth checking out is SafetyWing.

Disclaimer: I’m an Italian citizen and resident, so I don’t personally need medical insurance in Italy. My recommendation for SafetyWing is based on online research, not personal experience. Policies can change anytime, so make sure to review the terms to confirm they meet the digital nomad visa requirements as well as your insurance needs.

For what it’s worth, even if you end up paying out of pocket, healthcare in Italy is relatively affordable. Unlike in the US, a medical emergency here is unlikely to leave you bankrupt.

Accommodation

Proof of accommodation in Italy is mandatory. This must be a lease, rental contract, or property deed in your name that covers the entire duration of your visa.

Third-party offers of hospitality (like staying with friends or family) and hotel bookings are not accepted.
Leases or rental contracts must be officially registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Tax Authority). Without this registration, your application will be denied.

If you plan to change your residence during your stay, you’ll need to notify the Questura (local police headquarters) where your residency permit was issued.

Criminal Record and Declaration

Applicants must provide proof of a clean criminal record. This can include a declaration from your employer or an official certificate from the relevant authorities confirming you have no disqualifying offenses.

Work Experience and Qualifications

Freelancers and consultants: You need to show at least six months of prior experience in your field.

Employees (remote workers): Your employer must provide a letter confirming your role, salary, and that your income meets the ISTAT median salary for your profession.

To prove you’re highly qualified, you’ll need one of the following:

A bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree, certified through CIMEA or a Declaration of Value.
Professional licenses or certifications recognized in Italy (for regulated professions).
Proof of at least five years of work experience in your field (or three years if you’re in the ICT sector). This can include contracts, pay slips, or letters from previous employers explaining your role.

Required Documents

Valid Passport: Must have at least 15 months’ validity beyond your intended travel date and two blank pages.
Proof of Residence: Show proof of physical residence within the consular jurisdiction where you’re applying (e.g., driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill).
Non-U.S. Citizens: Provide proof of legal residence in the U.S. (such as a green card or long-term visa). B1/B2 visas are not acceptable for this purpose.
Visa Application Form: Complete the appropriate national visa form and attach a standard ICAO-compliant photograph (35 x 40 mm).
Proof of Education or Training (if applicable): For example, copies of degrees, certifications, or relevant training documents.

Visa Fee and Submission

The visa application fee is non-refundable and adjusted quarterly based on euro-dollar exchange rates. It must be paid by cashier’s check or money order made out to the consulate. Be sure to check your consulate’s website for the exact amount and bring the correct payment to avoid delays.

Additional Requirements for Remote Workers

Remote workers employed by a company must provide additional documents:

Employment Contract: Your contract must show a salary that meets or exceeds the minimum required by collective agreements negotiated by Italian unions and aligns with ISTAT’s median salary for your profession.

Employer’s Declaration: A letter from your employer confirming compliance with Italian immigration laws and certifying that the employer has no convictions related to labor exploitation, illegal immigration facilitation, or other labor law violations.

A man is focused on his laptop while sitting outdoors at a cafe. He's smoking, wearing glasses, a scarf, and a jacket, suggesting a cool weather setting. The laptop is on his lap, and he's using a mouse on the bench beside him — *“I was a digital nomad before it was cool”*

How to Apply for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa

In an ideal world, you’d simply book an appointment at your local Italian consulate, bring the required paperwork, and walk out with a shiny new visa.

The Current Reality (as of 2025): Many Italian consulates, such as those in New York, London, and Miami, now have official guidance on how to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa. You’ll need to:

Book an appointment through the consulate’s online platform (Prenota@mi) or follow specific instructions provided on their website.
Submit the required documentation, including proof of income, accommodation, insurance, and qualifications, along with your completed application form.
Pay the non-refundable visa application fee (adjusted quarterly).

While some consulates may still lack clarity or be slow to implement the process, many are beginning to accept applications. Check your consulate’s website for the most up-to-date information and appointment availability.

Arrival in Italy

Once you receive your visa and arrive in Italy, you’ll need to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (residency permit) within the first eight working days. The process generally includes:

Visiting your local Questura (provincial police headquarters) to register your residency.
Submitting many of the same documents you provided for your visa application.
A potential home visit by police within 45 days to verify your residence (based on standard residency procedures).

While consulates are now providing clearer steps for applying, the process remains steeped in Italian bureaucracy. Stay patient and be prepared to adapt to new requirements as they roll out.

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook to stay current on latest blog post, and see some of my fun in Italy.

Living in Italy as a Digital Nomad

Now that the visa application process is becoming a reality, here are some things to keep in mind while preparing. I’ve been living in Italy for over two years—half of that as a “digital nomad” of sorts—so here are a few practical considerations based on my experience.

Tips for Prospective Nomads

Wi-Fi is not ubiquitous like it is in the US. Where I come from (the US), most places have a public network you just connect to, agree to the questionable terms & conditions, and away you go. In Italy, that’s not really a thing. If you’re in a coffee shop (called a bar) in Italy, you’ll have to ask if they have Wi-Fi. They’ll either say no, they’ll have to look it up the password, or they’ll read it off to you in Italian and you’ll be confused.

A laptop opened to a Google search page is on a table in a modern bar with a pristine, white interior. A used coffee cup and saucer are to the side, with a bartender in the background attending to the bar. — *Wi-Fi in Italian cafes is hit or miss.*

Consider getting a low-cost Italian SIM card. Because Wi-Fi is not always the easiest to find in Italy, (and international data plans are expensive) I strongly suggest that if you plan on being in Italy more than 15 days, you get an Italian SIM card. You can read more about which SIM I use here. The data is so cheap, I usually just use my hotspot when I need to connect to the internet on my laptop and forget about asking for Wi-Fi.

Want to do with your US number when you move to Italy? Check out this article.

Get a codice fiscale (fiscal code). Think of the Codice Fiscale as Italy’s version of a personal ID code that everyone needs to use when dealing with anything official. From opening a bank account to going to the doctor to getting a SIM card, this code is your key to services throughout Italy. Don’t worry, having the codice fiscale won’t mean you’re suddenly going to have to pay taxes. I suggest you request a CF at the Italian consulate in your home country, as it will take a month or so to process, and it’s easier than requesting one in Italy (they don’t understand why a tourist would need a CF).

Consider the tax implications. Italy taxes based on residency, not citizenship, and in general the rule is that after 183 days of presence in Italy out of a calendar year, you’re subject to paying taxes – but there are some exceptions. The taxes in Italy are high. You don’t want any surprises. For example – did you make income, sell a house, or sell off investments in January, then move to Italy and become a tax resident in the same year? Well, you likely owe taxes on whatever you earned at the beginning of the year before you even set foot in Italy. Do you own research, and please consult with an expert (i.e. not this website).

Learn some Italian. It will go a long way. It’s not the easiest language to learn (the pronunciation is extremely precise), but come on – it’s not exactly Japanese. But it will drastically enhance your experience if you can become at least conversational – here’s how I learned Italian.

Embrace authentic local culture. Italy is so much more than pizza, mandolins, and New York mobster-aesthetic wannabe “how ya doin’?” Italians. Every region in Italy has something different. A different dialect, different food you’ve never heard of, and different traditions that the region next door has never heard of. Take advantage of you extended stay and really try to appreciate the region you’re in.

Want to learn more about Italian culture? Check out my article I Traveled to All 20 Italian Regions | Here Are My Thoughts.

Ready to Embrace La Dolce Vita?

Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa is an exciting opportunity for remote workers to explore one of my favorite countries. If you’re ready to take the plunge, ensure you meet all application criteria and prepare for an adventure of a lifetime in one of the world’s most enchanting countries. For more details and to keep updated with the latest requirements, visit your Italian consulate’s website.

For those interested and able, I’m very excited for you, and I sincerely hope you found value in this article.

If you found value in this content and want to support my work, you can buy me a cappuccino!

La Digital Dolce Vita: A Guide to Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa (updated 2025)