Italy Digital Nomad Visa Program in 2025

Few countries embody the good life quite like Italy.

From world-famous cuisine and exquisite wines to its rich culture and impressive heritage, the appeal of Italy is undeniable. La Dolce Vita is more than a saying – it’s a way of life.

It should come as no surprise that the locals here live well and long, especially in the Blue Zone regions like Sardinia.

Add to that the country’s natural beauty, vibrant communities and national appreciation of family and freedom, and it’s no wonder that so many outsiders dream of calling Italy home.

Until relatively recently, though, that dream remained out of reach for many remote workers and digital entrepreneurs.

While other countries strove to attract global capital and talent with flexible nomad visas, Italy remained out of bounds, accessible for holidays but nothing more permanent.

That’s all changed.

In a major shift for the Eurozone’s third-largest economy, Italy has officially launched its long-anticipated Digital Nomad Visa, opening the doors to a new class of international residents: remote workers, freelancers and location-independent entrepreneurs who are interested in more than a quickie vacation.

The new visa is about more than sipping an espresso in Florence or taking a hurried Zoom call on the Amalfi Coast. It’s a strategic opportunity to anchor yourself in a Schengen country with serious lifestyle perks – and potentially favourable long-term tax planning benefits.

So, could Italy’s new digital nomad visa be the perfect gateway for you? To help you figure out if La Dolce Vita is for you, the Nomad Capitalist team has put together a special in-depth guide.

What is the Italian Digital Nomad Visa Program?

After much anticipation, Italy formally launched its dedicated digital nomad visa program in April 2024. 

At its core, this program is a specific national visa and residency permit pathway crafted for non-EU/EEA citizens who qualify as ‘highly skilled’ remote workers. 

The visa provides one year of residency in Italy, which can be renewed annually, as long as you continue to meet the requirements.

Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer with international clients or a valued employee working remotely, this could be your opportunity to live that ‘la dolce vita’ lifestyle.

Benefits of the Italian Digital Nomad Visa

This visa delivers more than just espresso-fueled workdays. It packs benefits that are hard to ignore. 

Formal Residency Status

This isn’t just an extended tourist visa – it confers formal second residency status. 

With an Italian digital nomad visa, you can settle in Italy long-term, register with the necessary authorities and integrate into local life far beyond the dreams of a temporary visitor. It’s your foundation for genuinely living the Italian dream.

Travel in the Schengen Zone Without a Visa

Consider your Italian residence permit as a passport to Europe. It grants the holder visa-free access across the entire Schengen Zone. 

This means you can travel easily for work, business or pleasure through member countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 

Pathway to Deeper Integration and Citizenship

​​For people who want to stay in Europe for an extended period, this visa can be an excellent first step. It provides you with legal residency for a certain amount of time, which may be helpful for future applications in Italy or the Schengen Area.

Most importantly, staying in Italy for five years means you can apply for permanent residency and after another five years, you can apply for Italian citizenship. 

Potential Fiscal Incentives

While the digital nomad visa itself doesn’t automatically grant Italian income tax breaks, becoming an Italian tax resident under its umbrella could unlock a lot of advantages. 

Specifically, qualifying individuals might leverage the ‘regime impatriati’ – Italy’s favourable tax regime for new residents. 

Under this program, you could pay less income tax.

Higher earners can opt for Italy’s flat tax regime, which caps what you pay.

Of course, Italy isn’t a low-tax country, but depending on where you’re coming from, living here for a few years could result in major tax savings.

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

Securing the Italian digital nomad visa involves meeting several key criteria. 

First off is financial stability. You’ll need to show a minimum annual income derived entirely from remote work sources. 

The minimum level is set at three times the minimum amount needed to be exempt from paying for health care, currently at about €25,000 per year. Note that because this amount is tied to minimum income thresholds, it can fluctuate.

Expect to provide bank statements, client contracts, an employment contract or employer letters verifying both the amount and its source.

Italy is specifically targeting highly skilled workers. While the exact definition leaves some room for interpretation, generally, this means possessing a university degree, a relevant professional licence or demonstrable experience in your field. 

You’ll need documentation like diplomas or professional registrations to back this up.

Hand-in-hand with being highly skilled is supplying concrete proof of your remote work activity. Be prepared to furnish contracts that stipulate remote work allowances, letters from international clients or detailed descriptions of your online business operations. 

Furthermore, you must prove prior experience, showing you’ve been successfully working remotely for at least six months before applying.

Equally important is securing suitable accommodation before your visa application is finalised. You’ll need to present evidence, such as a registered rental agreement or proof of property ownership in Italy. 

Next, comprehensive health insurance is compulsory. You need a strong plan that is recognised in Italy. The plan must cover both in-patient and out-patient care. 

Finally, all the standard checks apply. You’ll need a clean criminal record, proven by official certificates from your home country and possibly others where you’ve lived. 

Underpinning everything is tax compliance. 

While the details will be different for each applicant, you must be ready to follow Italian tax rules when you become a resident. This usually means getting an Italian tax ID number (Codice Fiscale) and being compliant with the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). 

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Application

The path to securing your Italian digital nomad visa involves a few important steps, starting well before you even think about packing your bags. 

1. Preparation

First off, gather all the documents you need from the previous section, including proof of income, qualifications, insurance, housing and criminal record checks. 

Accuracy and completeness here will save considerable time and potential frustration when handing in your application.

2. Applying

Next, the official digital nomad visa application should be sent to the Italian consulate or embassy where you live legally. You cannot typically apply for this specific visa while already in Italy on, say, a tourist visa. 

Once your visa is approved and stamped into your passport, you can travel to Italy.

3. Apply for the Residence Permit

Upon arrival, the clock starts ticking. You have a mere eight working days to apply for your residence permit, the Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Autonomo/Nomade Digitale, at the local police headquarters (Questura). 

During this or soon after, digital nomad visa applicants will need to apply for your Italian tax identification number, the Codice Fiscale, from the Revenue Agency.

Only after these administrative steps are successfully completed can you get on a flight to Italy and truly start to live La Dolce Vita. 

Other European Digital Nomad Visa Options 

​​Italy’s digital nomad visa, with its focus on highly skilled workers and a potential pathway to citizenship, is an attractive offering. 

However, neighbouring European nations have their own digital nomad visas.  

Spain, for instance, has its own digital nomad visa, as well as a specific tax regime under the ‘Beckham Law‘ framework, potentially lowering your tax rate into the 20% bracket. Much like Italy, Spain’s visa also offers a pathway to permanent residence and citizenship.

Further afield, Greece’s version can potentially be coupled with flat-tax incentives for certain foreign-income earners. 

A short journey from Greece sits Croatia, which has a very simple permit. This one is notable for exempting nomads from income tax for their first year under specific conditions. 

Each program has its own nuances regarding minimum income thresholds, processing times and the long-term possibilities for permanent residency or citizenship. 

The ‘best’ choice invariably hinges on aligning a specific visa’s features with your personal and professional priorities. To make sure you get it right, get in touch with us to help you establish a holistic strategy. 

Italy Digital Nomad Visa Program in 2025: FAQs

Discover the Perfect Italian Residence 

So, it’s clear that Italy’s new digital nomad visa offers a flexible gateway into Italian life – a way to immerse yourself in the country without making an immediate, long-term commitment.

Temporary residence permits are ideal for anyone who’s testing new waters – remote workers, entrepreneurs or families who want to live in Italy for a defined period while maintaining ties elsewhere and keeping their options open.

It’s a good soft landing that doesn’t preclude a longer-term vision.

Transitioning from temporary to permanent residence signals a deeper commitment to the country – plus it brings you closer to the rights and benefits of full citizenship. It provides greater legal stability, stronger EU access and the foundation for a more permanent life in Italy.

But, as with any international move for high-net-worth individuals (HWNIs), aligning residency options with optimal tax efficiency, asset protection and lifestyle goals, requires a well-thought out, well-structured plan.

That’s where Nomad Capitalist comes in. Our team helps globally minded entrepreneurs design residency and citizenship strategies tailored to their unique needs – from initial entry to long-term success.

Ready to explore your options? Reach out and let us help you go where you’re treated best.