Italy Digital Nomad Visa 2025 Guide

Interested in the idea of traveling the world while making a living remotely? Starting in 2024, Italy’s digital nomad visa program has opened doors for applicants in search of remote work, quickly becoming one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads due to its good living standards, world-renowned food, beautiful weather, and historical landmarks.

In this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about obtaining a digital nomad visa for Italy, including what it is, how to apply for it, the costs,  and the documents needed. I will also tell you a bit more about what to expect and do once you get there.

Guide to Italy digital nomad visa

Moving to Italy as a digital nomad or remote worker will require you to fulfill many requirements and provide a list of documents to prove your eligibility, whether from a professional or an income standpoint. All the information listed here comes from the Italian consulates of New York and Toronto, and the visa Management Services (an authorized company by the Italian consulate in Moscow).

Who is a digital nomad?

Digital nomads are self-employed people who work online and are always traveling while doing so – freelancing or running their own business. For this guide, I will also mention remote workers, and the visa process has a few additional steps for them. 

Who can apply for the digital nomad visa?

The digital nomad visa is intended for non-EU workers who want to carry out self-employed activities or work remotely for foreign companies while residing in Italy. The visa is valid for 365 days and is renewable annually, provided you still meet all the eligibility criteria. For non-EU workers who are contracted by foreign companies, the procedure has a few extra steps. 

It is important, therefore, that we make a distinction here between digital nomads and remote workers. According to the Italian consulate, “digital nomads” are freelancers, consultants, or other independent specialists, and “remote workers” are employees of a company but can perform their work completely remotely. 

Digital nomad visa requirements

To obtain the digital nomad visa, applicants must fulfill these requirements:

• Proof of residence in their current country
• Proof of adequate accommodation in Italy
• Proof of annual income of at least three times the minimum necessary to pay healthcare taxes in Italy (the value depends on updates by the Italian Ministry of Health, but a minimum of €28,000 is recommended as a safe figure)
• Have at least six months of documented experience in the field you intend to work in as a digital nomad
• Proof of health insurance to cover all your health expenses during your one-year stay
• Proof of a minimum 6-month work experience as a digital nomad
• Filled and signed application form, payment of the visa costs (non-refundable)
• A valid passport and two passport-style photos.
• Travel/ticket reservations.
• Have a clean criminal record.

As per the Italian Legislative Decree no. 286 of 1998, article 27 quarter paragraph, applicants must also prove they are highly skilled workers. This can be demonstrated in one of these ways: 

• You can provide a diploma from a recognized university or college proving that you completed at least a 3-year program (Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Ph.D.) or a professional/vocational certificate for a post-secondary 3-year course equal to at least level 6 of the Italian Qualification Framework. 
• You must have proof that you have at least five years of relevant work experience at a level similar to a university degree in the field of your job or contract. 
• You must meet the requirements of the Legislative Decree 6 November 2007, n. 206 to work in a regulated profession. For visa purposes, you need to provide a copy of this certification. Here is the list of professions and regulated authorities.
• If you are a manager or specialist in the field of information and communication technology (ISCO-08 classification no. 133 and no. 25), you must have a higher professional qualification, proven by at least three years of relevant work experience within the last seven years. The documents must be provided by a non-EU organization, be legalized by competent authorities, and then translated into Italian.

In case you are a remote worker, you will also need to submit the employment or collaboration contract you have with a foreign company, for the performance of an activity that requires being highly qualified (article 27–quater, paragraph 1, of the legislative decree of 25 July 1998, n. 286). The declared annual salary must be equal to or higher than € 33,500, which is the average national gross salary according to the ISTAT (Istituto Nazionale di Statistica). Notice that the annual income values slightly differ between digital nomads and remote workers.

Remote workers also need a letter from their employers stating that they have not been convicted of crimes related to immigration in the last five years. The letter must have a valid copy of the employer’s ID document and their signature.

When I decided to explore Italy as a base for remote work, I quickly realized that the digital nomad visa process wasn’t as breezy as some blog posts make it sound — but it’s absolutely worth it once you’re settled in. The key is preparation. Italy’s system leans heavily on documentation, so getting your financial proof, health insurance, and contract paperwork in order before you even apply can save you weeks of back-and-forth.

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The application process

To apply, you may schedule an appointment with the Italian consulate in your country. In general terms, you will fill out a form and then have to provide the documents and all the proof aforementioned in this article. In case you are approved, once you arrive in Italy, you will have eight days to apply for the permesso di soggiorno – a one-year permit of residence in the country. 

From my experience assisting remote professionals and solopreneurs, the application process begins with proving remote work status and income stability. Work with a local immigration consultant or relocation service. Italian bureaucracy can be slow and nuanced, and having someone fluent in the system helps avoid delays.

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Make sure to have all documents ready when you schedule your appointment with the consulate as well. Values may differ depending on your country’s currency conversion rates, but the application fee costs around €116. There are additional document translation costs, plus €16 for the marca da bollo (a tax stamp). Later on, there is a tax for the permesso di soggiorno (it varies, but values range from €70 to €100).

Family member requirements

You can add your family members to your visa requirements. That includes: 

• Your spouse.
• Children under 18 years of age.
• Children from your spouse’s previous marriage, if any.
• Children, out of wedlock.

You cannot take children over 18 years of age or your parents. The minimum monthly income requirement will also increase by €780 per adult in your family, and €130 per child.

A quick overview of Italy and its benefits for a digital nomad

There are many benefits and perks of being a digital nomad. Imagine working from a cozy café, for example. You can actually work from anywhere you please, provided you have internet access. When it comes to Italy, as you can see from the data below, many quality of life indicators are high, coupled with a low cost of living, good healthcare, and purchasing power.

Other important benefits for a digital nomad in Italy include:

• Yearly renewal and path to citizenship, as long as you meet the digital nomad visa requirements annually
• Being able to take your family with you (children under 18 and your spouse)
• Access to the Italian Social Security System (after completing 183 days in the country)
• visa-free access to the Schengen area.
• Affordable living conditions outside of big centers.
• Many tourist and historical landmarks to visit.

Best places to live in Italy

The first month was a mix of exhilaration and admin fatigue. You’ll spend more time than you expect dealing with paperwork, finding accommodation that meets visa requirements, and adjusting to the Italian pace. Italians are incredibly kind, but processes move more slowly — and that’s something you have to adapt to rather than fight. A few things I wish someone had told me:
- Bring multiple copies of every document — printed and translated into Italian if possible. Even digital copies won’t always fly with government offices.
- Learn a few key Italian phrases. Not everyone at municipal offices speaks English, and even basic Italian can go a long way in speeding up paperwork or making connections.
- Don’t expect 24/7 convenience. Many shops close midday, and Sundays are truly for rest. It forces you to plan — but that slower rhythm becomes something you end up loving.
- Open a local bank account early. Some payments (like rent or insurance) are easier when handled locally, and the process can take a couple of weeks.

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As a digital nomad, being in the right place can be really helpful when you are looking to build a network and find more freelance jobs. Your choice of living place will depend on a few main factors, such as safety, quality of life, coworking, cost of living, and internet access. All the data below was extracted from quality of life ratings at Numbeo:

Bergamo

According to Il Sole 24 Ore’s research on the best cities to live in Italy, when it comes to quality of life, Bergamo ranks first. Its proximity to Milan is a big advantage, as the cost of living is inferior, but you still get many of the bonuses of living close to a big commercial center. Bergamo is home to the Il Caravaggio International Airport, the third-busiest airport in Italy, and it is well-connected to Milan, Verona, and the world-famous tourist spot, Venice. 

All in all, it provides a great balance between networking opportunities, good cost of living, quality of life, and tourism opportunities. Coworking spaces such as the historical street Via Pignolo are very affordable, with rentable desks starting at €20 a day. According to the Fair Internet Report, internet speed on average is 44 mbps, which is considered adequate. The average rent price for an apartment in the city center is, on average, €699 a month.

Florence

In Florence, I really liked Impact Hub Firenze — it’s a creative, international space with reliable Wi-Fi and a welcoming community. Multiverso is another good spot if you prefer something quieter and a bit more local in feel. Outside major cities, coworking options thin out, so I often relied on good cafés or home setups.
As for internet quality, most urban and suburban areas are surprisingly solid. Fiber connections are common in cities, but once you go rural — think deep Tuscany — mobile data becomes your best friend. I kept a backup SIM card with extra data for hotspotting, which saved me during a few stormy days when the Wi-Fi flickered.

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The capital city of the region of Tuscany, Florence, is widely considered by many academics to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. It is a major cultural, artistic, and commercial center. The city has a population of 362,353, and in comparison to Bergamo, it offers much more in terms of tourism and rich cultural heritage.

The internet quality is higher as well, with a median speed range of 51 mbps, and a very low consumer frustration score, which means fewer disconnection problems. You also have myriad options in terms of coworking spaces. Some of them include the Nana Bianca and the Impact Hub, both highly praised by professionals. The drawbacks are the higher cost of living and land value, making it less affordable than other options. The rent price for an apartment in the city center is, on average, €988.24. 

In a way, living and working here taught me what balance really means. The bureaucracy can test your patience, but the payoff — waking up to the Tuscan sunrise before diving into a project — reminds you why you chose this path in the first place.

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Milan

A leading commercial center in Italy, and certainly one of the best options for digital nomads looking to immerse themselves in a working culture. Milan is the economic capital of the country, with a GDP per capita of around €60.000, which is double the national average. Its diversified economy is likely to produce opportunities in many different fields, including commerce, finance, design, communication, and research, among others. There is a lot to be said about tourism in the city, as well – take a look at the imposing Duomo di Milano in the picture above.

Internet quality is high, with a median speed of 60 Mbps. In terms of coworking, there are plenty of spaces to choose from, with well-reviewed ones costing a minimum of € 30 a day for a desk. As is normally the case with big commercial centers, everything is more expensive, from coworking to living costs: when compared to Bergamo, rent prices are 105.7% higher, and the overall cost of living, 22.7% higher. Renting an apartment in the city center will cost, on average, € 1436.67.

Bologna

Bologna couples better affordability with a good community. It is the seventh most populous city in Italy, with around 390.000 inhabitants, and also home to the oldest university in the world, the University of Bologna. The coworking options pale in comparison to Milan, Rome, or Florence – there are fewer to choose from, but prices are considerably better. You can rent a coworking space for as cheap as €150 a month or €15 a day. 

Bologna is a good middle ground between the big commercial centers and the calmer, smaller cities with a lower cost of living. Median internet speed is similar to Milan at 60 Mbps, and faster than most major Italian cities. On average, renting costs €957.14 for city center apartments.

Rome

Rome is the capital of Italy and one of the most culturally rich places in the world. Home to the Colosseum (as shown above) and to the Vatican City, it is 

an excellent place for networking due to the sheer diversity of people from all around the world you are likely to find. Coworking options are varied: you can work from airport lounges, office buildings, or in spaces tailored for the coworking experience. You can find private offices starting at €128 a month. Average daily prices are usually in the €20-30 range for a private desk.

Internet speed is higher: a median of 61 Mbps; but clients have a higher frustration score in comparison to the other cities mentioned in this guide. Living costs are inferior only to Milan: €1264.69 on average to rent a well-located apartment in the center. 

Taxes and visa renewal

Italian bureaucracy has a reputation for being complicated — and it’s not undeserved. The key for me was getting local help early. I hired a commercialista (essentially an Italian accountant/lawyer hybrid) who specialized in assisting expats with digital nomad or freelance visas. They handled communication with local offices and ensured my documents met Italian standards.
For taxes, Italy has several freelancer-friendly programs like the regime forfettario, which offers simplified taxation for independent professionals. It’s worth exploring if you qualify, but definitely with expert guidance. Renewal was more straightforward — as long as you maintain your income documentation and valid insurance, it’s primarily a matter of timing and consistency.
My best advice is to approach the bureaucracy with patience and structure. Set reminders, keep everything neatly organized, and accept that delays are part of the process. Once you do, you realize it’s just another rhythm of life there — slower, yes, but in its own way, it teaches you presence.

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You become an Italian taxpayer once you spend more than 183 days living there. The amount you pay is linked to your income, and it differs depending on each band/range you fit into. Look into beneficial tax regimes with the help of a tax advisor and acquire more information on the conditions by contacting your local Consulate.

Once you reach the limit of 183 days, you will need to get a tax ID. Also, as a self-employed worker, you will have to pay for social security contributions as well, which requires registration with the Italian Social Security Institute. The visa is renewable after a year, given that you are still eligible.

Wrap-up

Italy is welcoming digital nomads with wide-open arms, offering good tax regimes and the possibility of a prolonged stay in the country. I hope that our guide helps you make well-informed decisions and succeed in your journey to live in one of the most beautiful and culturally important countries in the world. Disclaimer: All the data in this guide is up-to-date as of 2025; requirements may change.