Italy opens doors to digital nomad workers
ROME, ITALY — Italy has officially launched its digital nomad visa, which allows remote workers to legally live and work in the Mediterranean nation for up to one year at a time.
The new “digital nomad – remote worker” visa is aimed at highly skilled non-EU citizens who can work remotely using technological tools.
To qualify, applicants must earn at least €28,000 (US$30,000) annually, have comprehensive health insurance coverage for their stay, and demonstrate at least six months of prior digital nomad or remote work experience.
“It’s being managed under article 27 of the immigration code, which means it’s aimed at highly skilled workers,” global mobility expert Damien O’Farrell told EuroNews Travel.
The visa requires “a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools.”
Successful applicants can bring family members, subject to approval. The one-year visa is renewable annually as long as requirements are met. However, it does not provide a direct path to citizenship, which can be obtained through the country’s golden visa scheme.
Digital nomad visa applicants must visit an Italian consulate to submit a declaration from their employer and prove compliance with Italian tax laws. They must also have a clean criminal record for the past five years.
The digital nomad visa marks Italy’s bid to attract remote professionals and boost the local economy while maintaining stringent requirements to ensure quality and compliance.
Spain launched a similar initiative that faced mixed reception one year later. Japan and South Africa also implemented visa reforms to attract remote workers.
