Digital Nomad Visa · Italy

Work remotely from Italy

The Italian Digital Nomad Visa — in force since April 2024 — allows non-EU remote workers and freelancers to live in Italy while working for clients or employers abroad. No Nulla Osta, no quotas, no Italian employer required.

In force since 4 April 2024 (D.M. 29 February 2024). Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. No Nulla Osta required. See the procedure →

What it is

The Digital Nomad Visa — in plain terms

The Digital Nomad Visa is governed by Art. 27, para. 1, lett. q-bis D.Lgs 286/98 and the implementing decree of 29 February 2024. It covers non-EU nationals carrying out highly qualified remote work, either as freelancers or as employees of a non-Italian employer. No Nulla Osta, no quota, no Italian employer needed.

Two categories covered

Digital nomads — freelancers working for multiple clients. Remote workers — employees working remotely for a single employer based outside Italy. Both follow the same procedure.

Why it is simpler than other permits

No Nulla Osta from the Sportello Unico. The application goes directly to the Italian consulate. No quotas, no click-day, no Italian employer involvement.

Only two stages

Stage 1: visa application at the consulate. Stage 2: residence permit at the Questura within 8 days of arrival. Faster and less bureaucratic than the Blue Card or Flussi.

Key figures

At a glance — the numbers that matter

~€28kMin. income/year3× NHS exemption threshold

1 yearPermit validityRenewable · Only 2 stages

No quotaFlussi exemptionAvailable year-round

6 monthsPrior experienceIn the same remote activity

Eligibility

Do you qualify? — five requirements

01

Non-EU nationality

Available only to non-EU nationals.

Required

02

Highly qualified remote work

The work must be “highly qualified” under Art. 27-quater D.Lgs 286/98: IT professionals, software developers, engineers, digital marketers, designers, translators and similar roles. Must be performed remotely via technology.

Required

03

Minimum annual income ~€28,000

At least three times the NHS exemption threshold. Documented with tax returns, bank statements or payslips.

Required · ~€28,000/year gross

04

At least 6 months of prior experience

Demonstrable with contracts, invoices, work documentation or client references.

Required · Min. 6 months

05

Employment contract or offer (for employed remote workers)

Employed remote workers must provide a work contract or binding offer from their non-Italian employer.

Required for employed remote workers

Tax opportunity

The Italian impatriate regime — potentially relevant

50% income tax reduction

New Italian tax residents who transfer their residence to Italy may benefit from a 50% reduction on taxable Italian income for 5 years (up to €600,000/year). We coordinate with qualified Italian tax advisors for every case.

€100,000 flat tax for high earners

New residents who were not Italian tax residents in 9 of the last 10 years may opt for an annual flat tax of €100,000 on all foreign-source income. For high-earning digital nomads this may be more advantageous.

Digital Nomad Visa · Procedure

Two stages — simpler than most Italian visas

No Nulla Osta, no Italian employer, no quotas. The procedure involves only two stages: consulate and Questura. The critical factor is document completeness.

In force since 4 April 2024 (D.M. 29 February 2024). Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. No Nulla Osta required. See the procedure →

Overview

Two stages — both managed by the applicant

Stage	Authority	Who manages	Typical timeline
1 — Entry visa	Italian consulate in applicant’s country	Applicant + ImmiLex	2–8 weeks after application
2 — Residence permit	Post office → Questura	Applicant + ImmiLex	Within 8 days of entry (mandatory)

Unlike the Blue Card and Decreto Flussi, there is no Stage 1 Nulla Osta. The entire process is managed by the applicant. Documentation quality is the only factor determining approval.

Step by step

From dossier to permit in hand

1

Document preparation

Income documentation, proof of remote work, experience documentation, qualification proof, health insurance, accommodation in Italy — and, for employed remote workers, the employer declaration. Foreign documents require apostilles and sworn translations.

Applicant + ImmiLex2–4 weeks

2

Stage 1 — Visa application at the Italian consulate

The applicant submits the dossier to the Italian consulate in their country of residence. The visa is issued as a long-stay national visa (type D) for work.

Applicant + ImmiLex2–8 weeks processing

3

Stage 2 — Permit kit (within 8 days)

Within 8 days of entering Italy, the applicant submits the permit kit at the designated post office. We prepare the kit in advance.

Applicant + ImmiLexMandatory within 8 days

4

Biometric appointment at the Questura & permit issued

The Questura schedules the biometric appointment. The residence permit for remote work is issued. Valid 1 year, renewable.

QuesturaPermit issued1 year · Renewable

Digital Nomad Visa · Documents

Required documents — quality over quantity

The Digital Nomad Visa requires fewer documents than most Italian work permits — but each must clearly demonstrate income, remote work activity and professional qualification.

In force since 4 April 2024 (D.M. 29 February 2024). Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. No Nulla Osta required. See the procedure →

Stage 1 — Consular dossier

Documents for the Italian consulate

01

Valid passport

Original passport with at least 2 blank pages and validity of at least 3 months beyond the visa expiry date.

Applicant

02

Income documentation

Proof of annual income of at least ~€28,000: last 2 years of tax returns, last 6 months of bank statements, employer payslips, or invoices totalling the minimum. All foreign documents apostilled and translated into Italian.

Applicant · Apostille + translation required

03

Proof of remote work activity

For employees: employment contract with remote work clause, plus employer declaration. For freelancers: client contracts, invoices and a professional profile or CV.

Applicant · Core of the application

04

Employer declaration (employed remote workers only)

Signed declaration confirming the remote work arrangement and compliance with Art. 22 D.Lgs 286/98. Must be apostilled and translated if issued outside Italy.

Employer · Employed remote workers only

05

6 months of prior experience documentation

Proof of at least 6 months of prior experience in the same remote activity: contracts, invoices, work documentation or client references.

Applicant · Min. 6 months

06

Health insurance + accommodation in Italy

Comprehensive policy valid in Italy for the full stay. Proof of accommodation: rental contract, property deed or booking for extended stay.

Applicant

Stage 2 — Residence permit

Documents for the Questura

07

Postal kit + passport + 4 photos + revenue stamp (€16)

Standard kit submitted at the post office within 8 days of entry. We prepare the form in advance.

Post office · Within 8 days of entry

Digital Nomad Visa · Costs

What does the Digital Nomad Visa cost?

With only two stages, the Digital Nomad Visa is the most affordable Italian long-stay permit. The complexity lies in the quality of documentation.

In force since 4 April 2024 (D.M. 29 February 2024). Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. No Nulla Osta required. See the procedure →

ImmiLex fees

What you pay us

Orientation call

€ 150

1 hour · Deducted if you proceed

Eligibility assessment: income, qualifications, experience
Category determination: digital nomad vs employed remote worker
Tax regime overview (impatriate regime vs flat tax)
Personalised document checklist for your consulate

Book a consultation — € 150

Complete Service — Visa + Permit

€ 680

Both stages · Consulate + Questura · Consultation deducted

Complete consular dossier preparation
Review and structuring of income and work documentation
Employer declaration preparation (if applicable)
Apostille and translation coordination
Postal kit preparation and Questura accompaniment
Permit follow-up through to issuance

Request an assessment

Government fees

Fees payable to Italian authorities

Indicative amounts. We provide precise estimates at the orientation call.

• Consular visa fee (type D): €116
• Residence permit postal kit: €30.46
• Permit issuance fee: €40 (1-year permit)
• Revenue stamp (Questura): €16

Total budget guide: Full service (ImmiLex €680 + government fees ~€200) typically around €880.

Digital Nomad Visa · FAQ

Your questions answered directly

The questions we hear most often from remote workers and freelancers planning a move to Italy.

In force since 4 April 2024 (D.M. 29 February 2024). Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. No Nulla Osta required. See the procedure →

Can I work for Italian clients with this visa?

No. This is the key restriction: the Digital Nomad Visa is exclusively for those working for foreign clients or a foreign employer. If you want to work for Italian clients, you need a different permit (such as the self-employment visa). Having even one Italian client may jeopardise your application.

What counts as “highly qualified” work?

The decree does not provide an exhaustive list but refers to Art. 27-quater D.Lgs 286/98. In practice: software development, IT consulting, engineering, digital marketing, UX/product design, content creation, financial analysis, legal consulting and similar professional roles carried out remotely via technology. Manual or on-site work does not qualify.

I earn enough but my income is irregular. Is that a problem?

Irregular income is one of the most common reasons for consular refusal. We recommend demonstrating at least €28,000 over the last 12 months with a clear pattern of invoices or payslips. A single large payment to reach the threshold is viewed less favourably than regular income.

I am already in Italy on a tourist visa. Can I convert?

No. The Digital Nomad Visa must be applied for at an Italian consulate abroad before entering Italy. There is no conversion pathway from a tourist visa to a digital nomad permit from within Italy. You must return to your country of residence and apply from there.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. Family reunification is available for digital nomad permit holders under the standard Art. 29 pathway, once the main permit is issued. The applicant must meet income thresholds covering the family unit.

How long does the full process take?

Document preparation: 2–4 weeks. Consular processing: 2–8 weeks. Total from first call to living in Italy: typically 1–3 months.

Work remotely from Italy

The Digital Nomad Visa — in plain terms

Two categories covered

Why it is simpler than other permits

Only two stages

At a glance — the numbers that matter

Do you qualify? — five requirements

Non-EU nationality

Highly qualified remote work

Minimum annual income ~€28,000

At least 6 months of prior experience

Employment contract or offer (for employed remote workers)

The Italian impatriate regime — potentially relevant

50% income tax reduction

€100,000 flat tax for high earners

Two stages — simpler than most Italian visas

Two stages — both managed by the applicant

From dossier to permit in hand

Document preparation

Stage 1 — Visa application at the Italian consulate

Stage 2 — Permit kit (within 8 days)

Biometric appointment at the Questura & permit issued

Required documents — quality over quantity

Documents for the Italian consulate

Valid passport

Income documentation

Proof of remote work activity

Employer declaration (employed remote workers only)

6 months of prior experience documentation

Health insurance + accommodation in Italy

Documents for the Questura

Postal kit + passport + 4 photos + revenue stamp (€16)

What does the Digital Nomad Visa cost?

What you pay us

Orientation call

Complete Service — Visa + Permit

Fees payable to Italian authorities

Your questions answered directly

Can I work for Italian clients with this visa?

What counts as “highly qualified” work?

I earn enough but my income is irregular. Is that a problem?

I am already in Italy on a tourist visa. Can I convert?

Can I bring my family?

How long does the full process take?

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