Italy welcomes digital nomads to the land of “la dolce vita”

As of 04 April 2024, the 29 February 2024 inter-ministerial decree on digital nomad visas came into effect, establishing entry procedures and requirements for digital nomads and remote workers, pursuant to Article 27 of Legislative Decree 286/98.

The decree applies to non-EU citizens intending to engage in highly skilled work through technological tools that allow for remote work, either autonomously, as an employee, or as a continuous and coordinated collaborator.

To obtain a visa for self-employment/digital nomad work, the worker must demonstrate their engagement in highly skilled work by providing appropriate documentation certifying their professional qualifications, duly authenticated and verified by the competent authorities, and accompanied by a translation into Italian.

The digital nomad worker must meet the following requirements:

• An annual income of at least three times the minimum level for exemption from healthcare expenses (EUR 28,000 per year);
• Purchase health insurance covering medical treatment and hospitalisation in Italy for the duration of the stay;
• Provide suitable documentation on accommodation arrangements; and
• Have an employment or collaboration contract, or a binding job offer, for the performance of highly skilled work.

Before departing for Italy, digital nomads must visit a diplomatic/consular office in their country of residence and submit a declaration signed by their employer before any visa is granted. The documentation must be apostilled by the competent authorities and accompanied by a translation into Italian.

Upon entering Italy, it is possible to obtain a “digital nomad/remote worker” residence permit for one year, renewable for an additional year, and family members can be brought along.

Digital nomads will be issued a tax code, which will be provided by Italian police headquarters at the time the residence permit is issued. Digital nomads may also request the assignment of a VAT number from the Italian Revenue Agency, which will have received notification of the visa issuance from police headquarters.

Here is the link to the legal references for this process.

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Maria Lucrecia heads the Italian Citizenship and Immigration department at Kairós. She and her team handle increasingly numerous requests for the acquisition of Italian citizenship and residence permits, both for private individuals and for employees of foreign companies who want to carry out activities in Europe, particularly in Italy.

Silvia is a lawyer in Kairós’ Immigration and the Italian Citizenship department, specialised in civil litigation, accompanying clients from the pre-trial to the judicial phase. At Kairós she ensures legal advice on assistance and defence in mediation, assisted negotiation and arbitration.