Digital Nomad Visa in Italy
Our immigration lawyer in Italy can help you apply for the Italian digital nomad visa. Contact us now to find out your visa options!
As of 2026, foreigners can apply for a digital nomad visa in Italy. Its eligibility requirements and the overall legal framework were completed in April 2024 and interested parties can apply for it. In this article, our immigration lawyers in Italy will present how you can migrate here as a digital nomad.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| What is a digital nomad in Italy? | A digital nomad is a foreigner from a non-EU country who carries out business activities related to his/her country through the usage of modern means of communication, while living in Italy. |
Who can apply for the digital nomad program? | The digital nomad in Italy is addressed to highly qualified persons and freelancers who are citizens/residents of countries outside EU/EEA. The program was created by Law 25/2022 of 28 March 2022 and its implementing decree took effect on 5 April 2024. |
Applying for a residence permit (yes/no) | Yes (for stays longer than 3 months). |
| Visa validity | 1 year |
| Renewal possible (yes/no) | Yes |
| Family members allowed to migrate with the visa holder | Close family members, such as the spouse/partner and children |
| Performing work activities taxed in Italy | A digital nomad in Italy can carry out taxable activities in the home country. |
| Other visa options for digital nomads | – the self-employed visa, for those who are remote workers and want to move their tax residency in Italy |
| Reasons to apply for the self-employed visa | – long validity, – tax advantages, – the possibility to renew the document, – the right to bring close family members in Italy |
| Validity of the self-employed visa | 2 years |
| Financial funds requirement | Applicants must have minimum EUR 28,000 per year in order to be eligible. |
| Tax advantages of the self-employed visa | Persons who will move their tax residency in Italy will benefit from the tax rules available for natural persons who are taxed in Italy. |
| Processing time for the digital nomad visa | Approximately 3 months |
| Health insurance requirement (yes/no) | Yes |
| Yearly quota for the self-employed visa | 650 per year for 2026-2028 (DPCM of 2 October 2025); digital nomad permits are outside the quotas |
Who is considered an eligible applicant for an Italian digital nomad visa?
Visa applicants must meet 3 basic criteria:
- be non-EU nationals;
- be highly-skilled employees;
- work for companies that are located outside Italy or work as self-employed.
What are the main requirements for a digital nomad in Italy in 2026?
Besides the conditions stipulated above, applicants must also meet the following conditions:
- have a valid health insurance recognized in Italy, that covers the entire validity of the visa, and with a value of at least EUR 30,000;
- show that they have adequate education (university degree or an acceptable equivalent);
- make proof of having suitable accommodation in Italy;
- apply while being outside the country (at the Italian embassy or consulate in the country of residence);
- must have at least 6 months of experience in remote work;
- must also prove they have an income of at least EUR 28,000 per year.
Can I relocate to Italy with my family members as a digital nomad visa holder in 2026?
Yes, it is possible to relocate to Italy with family members who can obtain residency for the duration of the visa (1 year), but those who have children above 18 years old can’t include them in the application (they need to apply separately for suitable visas).
Who is considered to be an eligible family member?
The family members who are eligible to relocate to Italy with the main digital nomad visa applicant are:
- the spouse of the applicant;
- the minor children (under the age of 18);
- the children of the spouse from a previous marriage;
- out of marriage children.
Are there any other financial requirements when relocating to Italy with family members?
Yes. Besides the standard financial requirements imposed to the applicants interested in a digital nomad visa in Italy, the law imposes extra income for each family member the visa holder brings in the country.
How long does it take to obtain the Italian digital nomad visa in 2026?
The processing of the visa application can take around 1 to 3 months.
Will I obtain a residence permit in Italy?
Yes, as a holder of a digital nomad visa, which has a validity of 1 year, you will also receive a residence permit, that will grant you the right of lawful residency in this country.
When do I need to apply for a residence permit?
The residence permit is a separate, different document than the digital nomad visa in Italy and it must be obtained after the Italian authorities have approved the issuance of the visa. Individuals who have been issued with this document must obtain their residence permit after the arrival in the country, and they need to initiate the procedure in maximum 8 days from their arrival.
What institution is responsible for the issuance of the residence permit?
The local police authorities.
The infographic below presents some of the steps that must be followed by those who apply for a digital nomad visa in Italy:
Is it possible to renew the digital nomad visa in Italy?
Yes, upon the expiration of the first visa, interested parties can renew their digital nomad residence permit in Italy (yearly, if the conditions are still met). Our immigration lawyers in Italy can offer in-depth information on the procedure.
Can I obtain permanent residency in Italy as a digital nomad visa holder?
Not directly. The digital nomad visa in Italy is an immigration documentthat grants only temporary residency rights, which can be renewed on a yearly basis. Digital nomadscan become permanent residents after 5 years of continuous living in Italy, while maintaining the conditions of the visa they were issued with (our lawyer can present the full list of requirements for permanent residency).
What is the legislation concerning the digital nomad visa in Italy?
In the list below, you can find out some of the legal matters that were taken into consideration by the Italian authorities when they created the framework for a digital nomad program:
- on March 28, 2022 the government enacted the bill proposing the creation of the digital nomad program and it was passed into law;
- this program is regulated under Article 27 of the Immigration Code, which stipulates that only highly skilled workers will be able to apply for the program;
- the visa is issued for immigration to Italy for a period of 1 year.
Please contact us for further advice.
Pietro Derossi, Attorney at Law · 2 October 2026