Italy is one of the latest countries to announce its digital nomad visa, which was officially introduced in April 2024.
Recently, there have been reports that some digital nomads have successfully applied for and received their visas under this new program.
This confirms that Italy is now accepting applications for its digital nomad visa and is actively issuing visas to eligible applicants.
Italy digital nomad visa
The Italy digital nomad visa allows foreign nationals who work remotely to live and work from Italy. This visa is valid for one year and can be renewed for an additional year, generally granting digital nomads a two-year stay in the country.
Italy, often considered a dream destination, is now officially accepting digital nomad visa applications. The visa is specifically designed for highly qualified remote workers with higher education degrees or substantial long-term experience.
The Italy digital nomad visa can only be applied for through an Italian embassy; online applications are not available. If there is no Italian embassy in your country, you can apply through the nearest Italian embassy.
Italy digital nomad visa requirements
Italy digital nomad visa requirements are a little different from other digital nomad visas, the paperwork is much more and applicants need to deal with Italian bureaucracy.
Income requirement: to be eligible for Italy digital nomad visa you need to earn at least €28.000 per year, monthly around €2.335. if you are applying as a couple than the minimum income requirement is €3.153 and if you are apply with one child the minimum income requirement is €3.425.
Proof of income: to prove that you have the minimum income requirement you need to present a bank statement which show clearly the Bank records with some payslips.
Proof of remote work: Digital nomad is only for those work remotely, to prove your remote work status you need to present documents.
You can present a work contract, a job letter, a business ownership which you run remotely or a partnership agreement.
Highly qualified professional: to be eligible for Italy digital nomad visa you should have high skills in your field where you now working.
To prove your professionalism you need to present some documents, you should have a university degree on that field, Post secondary Qualification or 3-5 years professional experience at your field.
Be aware that you will need strong, verify able documents for this, the embassy of Italy will verify all the documents you submit.
Remote employment history: One of the eligibility criteria is remote work experience for at least last 6 months. This mean that at least for last 6 months you should perform your work remotely.
Proof of accomodation: proof of accomodation can be an apartment or house rental agreement, you need to rent a house in Italy and this rental contract will be required when you submit a visa application.
This is one the most difficult part if Italy digital nomad visa, because you can not get an agreement in Italy without your tax id but if you are outside of Italy you can get a tax id to solve this issue you need to request help from real estate agents or company.
Health insurance: a health insurance for your entire stay duration in Italy is required.
Police clearance certificate: a clean criminal record is required for Italy digital nomad visa application.
How to apply for Italy digital nomad visa?
To apply in the correct way you need to start from contacting the embassy of Italy in your country. The embassy of Italy will guide you according to last updates and local regulations.
When you contact the embassy of Italy they will give you a list of requirements, you need to make ready all required documents and than requested an appointment.
It’s different in every country but they may request documents before interview or they may request the documents during interview.
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In some countries you will need to send all required documents the Consular section when they verify the documents they will request you to send original documents through courier and after a week they will invite to interview.
It will take from a few weeks to months to process your visa application, depends on the embassy staff and submitted visa applications.
Nationality restrictions
There is no nationality restrictions in Italy digital nomad visa, anyone from any nationality can apply for Italy digital nomad visa, there is no restricted country.
EU citizens can not apply for this visa because they don’t need visa for Italy to work there remotely.
You just need to be a citizen of any country with a valid passport and police clearance certificate not old than 6 months.
Is it difficult to get Italy digital nomad visa?
The Italy digital nomad visa is very new, having been introduced this April. Although it’s recent, the visa is specifically designed for highly skilled workers. To qualify, you must prove that you are a professional in your field.
Applicants are required to hold a university degree or have 3-5 years of relevant experience. Your university degree, along with your transcript, will be required, and all these documents will be sent to Italy for review. Each document will be thoroughly examined and verified during the application process.
Despite all this, you will need assistance within Italy, particularly when it comes to renting a house. Since you won’t have an Italian tax ID yet, you’ll need to work with a real estate agent or a housing company to secure a rental. Directly renting a property on your own won’t be possible without the tax ID.
But this doesn’t mean that obtaining a digital nomad visa for Italy is guaranteed. It means you need to be thoroughly prepared. Don’t leave your visa application to chance make sure you know all the required documents and understand the entire process.
Italy digital nomad visa tax
One of the most important aspects of the digital nomad visa is taxation. Digital nomads typically look for countries where there is no tax or very low income tax for remote workers.
However, if you are a digital nomad in Italy, you will be required to pay income tax as soon as you arrive in the country. Digital nomads must pay income tax on their worldwide income.
In many countries in Europe and other parts of the world, digital nomads are not taxed until they have stayed for six months. For example, in Spain, digital nomads are not taxed for up to six months. However, if you continue to stay beyond six months, you become a tax resident and will be required to pay income tax.
In Italy, the situation is different. Digital nomads must pay income tax on their worldwide income from the day they arrive in the country.
Italy digital nomad visa accomodation problem
As we mentioned, the accommodation aspect of Italy’s digital nomad visa can be challenging for most digital nomads.
Not only do you need to secure a rental before arriving in Italy, which is difficult because you cannot sign any agreements without an Italian tax code (which you don’t yet have), but you also need to rent a home for your entire stay in Italy.
This means you’ll need to pay a real estate agent or housing company to facilitate the rental agreement, and you’ll have to commit to renting for your entire stay, even if you don’t plan to stay in one city for the whole duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my family with me on Italy digital nomad visa?
Yes, you can bring your family to Italy with digital nomad visa, when your visa application approved than you can submit a visa application for them also.
Remember that the minimum income requirement for family of 3 is €3.425.
How long I can stay Italy with the digital nomad visa?
Italy digital nomad visa is valid for 1 year, if you to stay more than 1 year you can apply for a visa extension, Italy digital nomad visa will be extended for another year.
In total you can stay up to 2 years in Italy with digital nomad visa. Be careful that you need to meet the requirements when you apply for extension.
Is there any nationality restrictions?
No, fortunately there is no restriction in Italy digital nomad visa, all Nationalities van apply for this visa. Just need to meet the requirements.
What’s the processing time for Italy digital nomad visa?
When you submitted your documents to the embassy it will take from a few weeks to couple of months.
If you submit your documents completely your visa application will be processed quickly if there is not a lot of visa applications.
Any incomplete documents will cause delays in visa the embassy will request from you another documents and all these things will take much more time.
Can I open Bank account In Italy with digital nomad visa?
Yes, you can open Bank account with your digital nomad visa, when you arrive at Italy you need to apply for residence permit, with this permit you will get a tax code.
Now with residence permit and tax code you will be able to open Bank account as much as you want.
