Welcome Digital Nomads
This guide explains in a practical way how to enter and stay in Italy with the new visa for digital nomads and remote workers (Type D national visa) and the corresponding residence permit.
It is designed primarily for non-EU nationals who are doing high-skilled remote work (freelancers or employees) and want to settle temporarily in Italy while keeping their main business abroad.
The digital nomad visa was introduced by the Law no. 25/2022, which included in the Consolidated Immigration Act Article 27, paragraph 1, letter q-bis, dedicated to “digital nomads and remote workers,” and made operational by the Interministerial Decree February 29, 2024, published in the Official Gazette on April 4, 2024.
It falls under national long-term visas (Type D) and allows entry outside the quotas of the Flows Decree, with a subsequent residence permit bearing the words “digital nomad – remote worker.”
The decree distinguishes two figures, both non-EU and highly skilled, who work through technological tools that allow them to operate remotely.
| Professional position | Framing | Brief description |
| Digital nomad | Self-employed person | Carries out self-employment activities remotely, with a foreign or Italian VAT number, keeping the main focus of the activity outside Italy |
| Remote worker | Employee or collaborator | Performs subordinate work or remote coordinated and continuous collaboration work for an employer/employer who may be based in Italy or abroad |
In both cases we are talking about highly skilled workers, for whom a certain level of education/experience and a medium to high salary is required.
The interministerial decree and the forms from Italian consulates abroad identify a number of common visa requirements for digital nomads and remote workers.
The digital nomad/remote worker visa application is submitted to the Italian Consulate or Embassy responsible for the applicant’s country of residence.
Consular posts publish a dedicated digital nomad visa form on their website with a detailed list of required documents and appointment procedures.
Although the exact list varies from consulate to consulate, the following documents generally emerge based on common guidelines:
Consular posts may request additional documentation or summon the applicant for an interview and collection of biometric data (fingerprints, photos).
Once a national D visa for digital nomad or remote worker has been obtained, it is possible to enter Italy within the validity limits of the visa.
The visa also allows free movement within the Schengen area for short-term stays (up to 90 days out of 180), but the main residence must remain in Italy during the validity period of the permit.
As with other long-term visas, within 8 working days of entering Italy, the visa holder must apply for a residence permit for “digital nomad – remote worker” at the Questura competent for the place of residence.
The residence permit will last for a maximum of one year and is renewable for additional periods as long as the requirements for income, insurance, housing and remote operation remain met.
The decree and ministerial analyses clarify the main rights and obligations of digital nomads and remote workers once they obtain residence permits.
The permit holder may carry out in Italy the remote activity indicated in the visa, maintaining employment or contracting relationships with foreign or Italian entities.
The decree stipulates that digital nomads and remote workers will be issued a tax identification number at the same time as their residence permit, or otherwise made available through the channels of the Internal Revenue Service.
The decree allows digital nomads and remote workers who meet the requirements (in particular adequate income and housing) to apply for family reunification for spouse and children, following the ordinary procedures provided by the Consolidated Immigration Act.
For renewal, the holder must apply before the expiration date, again attaching documentation proving continued employment or self-employment, maintenance of the required minimum income, health coverage and housing.
The Police Headquarters also verifies compliance with tax and contribution obligations, with the possibility of requesting clarification and additional documents.
The residence permit may be revoked or renewal denied if basic requirements are lacking (loss of job without new remote activity, insufficient income, lack of health insurance, serious immigration or criminal violations).
To get a better orientation, it is useful to compare the reason for entry as a digital nomad with some other common types (study and traditional salaried work).
| Appearance | Digital nomad/remote | Study visa | “Classical” subordinate work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quota Decree Flows | Out of altitude. | Out of altitude. | Usually within quotas, except for special categories. |
| Type visa | National D digital nomad/remote work. | National D for study. | National D for employment. |
| Main requirement | Highly skilled remote work and high minimum income. | Enrollment in recognized course of study and means of livelihood. | Employment contract with Italian employer and clearance at the immigration one-stop shop (subject to exceptions). |
| Initial duration | Up to 12 months, renewable. | Generally equal to the duration of the course, with renewals. | Tied to the duration of the employment contract. |
| Family reunification | Allowed with certain requirements. | Allowed under specific conditions. | Admitted under the general framework. |
First you need to clarify your role (freelance, consultant, remote employee) and verify that you meet the requirements of high qualification, at least 6 months’ experience in the field, and minimum annual income requirement.
It pays to gather up-to-date CVs, attestations, contracts, letters of reference and bank statements in advance so that you have a coherent file before contacting the consulate.
As with students, for digital nomads the choice of city is crucial, because cost of living, rents and infrastructure change greatly between one area of Italy and another.
It is useful to take advantage of online tools (such as Numbeo or similar) to compare rents, transportation, daily expenses, and assess the accessibility and quality of the Internet connection, which is critical for remote work.
In order to obtain a visa, proof of suitable housing is required; in large cities, the search can be complex and care must be taken for possible scams, especially in long-distance contracting.
It is advisable to use reliable platforms, turn to serious agencies or, where possible, lean on expat networks and coworking spaces that offer housing solutions for digital nomads.
Since a private health insurance policy covering the entire period of stay is required for this reason for entry, it is worth comparing offers from international companies well in advance and making sure that the coverage is expressly valid in Italy and includes hospitalizations.
Some guides also point to possible later access to the National Health Service (NHS) through voluntary enrollment, but the initial private policy remains essential for the visa.
Each consulate publishes specific instructions on its website; it is good practice to carefully read the page devoted to the “Visa for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers” and, if in doubt, write directly to the visa office before applying.
Appointment booking should be made well in advance, taking into account the possible waiting time for file evaluation (up to 90-120 days in some cases).
On the day of the appointment, it is important to show up with neat and complete documentation, avoiding gaps that could cause supplementary requests or denials.
In addition to the standard documents (form, passport, photo, proof of residence, insurance, housing, income), it is useful to prepare a brief written description of your professional project remotely in Italy, making it easier for the consular officer to understand the dossier.
Having obtained the visa and planned the trip, it is good to remember that within 8 working days of arrival it will be necessary to start the procedure for the residence permit; informing yourself in advance about the operating procedures of the competent Police Headquarters helps to avoid delays.
In the early days, it may be helpful to apply for a tax ID number with the Internal Revenue Service (if not already assigned) and open a local bank account to handle payments, rentals, and tax compliance.
Once established in Italy, digital nomads must properly frame their tax and social security position: depending on the length of stay and ties to the country of origin, tax obligations in Italy may arise, as well as possible Italian social security enrollments in the absence of bilateral agreements.
It is often advisable to consult a tax or labor consultant experienced in international mobility to avoid double levies or defaults both in Italy and in the country of origin.
The reason for entering Italy as a digital nomad or remote worker offers a dedicated, flexible, and out-of-quota channel for non-EU professionals who want to live and work remotely in the country, but requires stringent requirements in terms of qualifications, income, and coverage.
Careful planning of the various stages (professional project, choice of city, visa dossier, residence permit and tax fulfillment) makes it possible to reduce unforeseen bureaucratic hurdles and focus on the main goal: working remotely while enjoying the quality of Italian life in full compliance with the rules.
This guide will help you understand the main steps you need to follow to live and work remotely in Italy as a digital nomad.
Although we have summarized the process in 10 steps, it is important to consider several aspects that can complicate a digital nomad’s stay in Italy: language barriers, slow bureaucracy, difficulty in finding reliable information, regulatory changes, and other administrative complexities.
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