Italy: Application details for Digital Nomad Visa
The Consulate General of Italy in London has published the list of documents which must be submitted in support of an application for the new Digital Nomad and Remote Worker visas.
The implementing decree for the Digital Nomad Visa was published in the official gazette on 4 April 2024 and concerns highly-qualified non-EU national workers who work remotely while resident in Italy, either as a freelancer (digital nomad) or as an employee of a company (remote worker) which can be based outside Italy. The visa is exempt from the annual quota limits, and it is not necessary to apply for a work permit.
Eligibility requirements
Applicants, who must submit their application in person at the consulate, require proof of education or professional experience to be qualified as a highly-skilled worker:
- A Bachelors’ Degree or a post-secondary professional qualification (lasting at least three years); OR
- At least three years of relevant professional experience gained in the seven years prior to the application submission, proving that the applicant is a manager or specialist in the specific field; OR
- A professional qualification supported by at least five years of professional experience (providing, as supporting evidence, the employment contract or the binding offer + company information and a letter from the employer specifying: role, starting date and duration of the contract.)
Applicants also require:
- An annual income at least three times the minimum required for exemption from health care participation expenses;
- Health insurance for the entire period of stay;
- Accommodation in Italy;
- At least six months of work experience as a digital nomad or remote worker;
- (For remote workers) an employment contract or job offer for a highly qualified position (the salary must not be lower than the average net salary for the field);
- Round-trip travel ticket reservation for short-term Schengen Visa shorter than 90 days; One way travel tickets reservation for long-term National visa longer than 90 days;
- A declaration signed by the employer attesting the absence of criminal convictions in the last five years.
Processing times
The consulate notes that it can take up to 90 days to process remote worker visa applications and up to 120 days to process Digital Nomad Visa applications. The applicant’s passport will be kept by the consulate during processing.
Support with your Italian visa application
If you are planning to apply for an Italian Digital Nomad Visa and require support with the application process, please contact the Smith Stone Walters global immigration team.
