Do you have a laptop, a stable internet connection, and the dream to live in Italy?

How wonderful would it be to work remotely and from any country you wish to live in? Perhaps in the breathtaking Amalfi Coast, the sunny south of Italy, or Milan, the city of fashion? Well, search no further, Italy is almost ready for you. 

It has to be said that working remotely in Italy without a visa is already a possibility for non-EU citizens, but only for up to 90 days. However, if you wish to stay for longer than 90 days, there is some good news for you! The Italian Government Introduced a new Law: 

the revolutionary Digital Nomads Working Visa regulates ‘highly qualified digital nomads and professionals’ who work autonomously or for a company that is not based in Italy. The Visa was inspired by similar schemes in Germany, Malta, Croatia, Portugal, Estonia, and Norway. 

Requirements and the Law

The decree was first introduced in January 2022 and voted into law in March 2022. This new Digital Nomad Visa for Italy is designed for non-EU digital nomads who wish to move to Italy and work there long-term.  

Who is a Digital Nomad? Generally speaking, it includes Web Programmers, Digital Marketing Specialists, Writers, and Bloggers, or even Translators and Graphic Designers. It does not include manual workers or people whose jobs require them to be physically present at their employer’s premises when they are carrying out their duties.

The requirements for Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa are still unclear, as the government is yet to launch the program. For example, we still do not know the meaning of ‘highly skilled worker’ or what’s the minimum income threshold for applicants and family members. Let’s have a look at Estonia, which set its threshold to € 3,504 equivalent to £ 2,934 or US $ 3,843 per month, while Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit requires applicants to earn € 2,700 equivalent to £ 2,230 or US $ 2,963 per month. 

For now, there is also no limit on the number of permits that the Italian Government will issue annually.

These are the requirements we know so far: 

1. Be a non-EU citizen; 

2. Be classified as a remote worker; 

3. Have your health insurance covering all risks while in Italian territory; 

4. Satisfy all applicable fiscal and contributions provisions in force in Italy;

5. Have a clean criminal record;

6. Proof of suitable accommodation. 

* Please note there are other types of Italian Working Visa, well worth checking out: 

1. Self-employment visa; 

2. Intra-company transfer permit (ICT);

3. Working Visa.

What are its benefits?

The scope of the law is to attract a greater number of skilled professionals to the country, benefitting both freelancers and Italians. 

Benefits for Digital Nomad Visa Holders: 

1. The ability to enjoy a long vacation while maintaining a stable income; 

2. A fast internet connection anywhere you go; 

3. Being able to travel throughout Italy without negatively impacting your career; 

4. An experience of a lifetime!

Benefits for Italy and its population: 

1. Diversification in the Italian economy; 

2. Incoming skilled professionals, who can enrich the fabric of italian society; 

3. Renovation of small and ghost towns;  

When will it come into place and why has not yet been introduced?

The digital nomad Visa is not yet a reality. Why? A further decree of the relevant Ministries (Interior, Labour, Foreign Affairs and Tourism) is now awaited to complete the Visa Scheme details. 

Some light has to be shed on the residency permit (Permesso Di Soggiorno) after entering Italy with your Digital Nomad Visa. It has to be noted that it is not currently possible to do this online so once you’re in the country, you will need to go to a post office to begin your application. 

Furthermore, the Italian Government hasn’t released much information about taxation yet. Assuming that long-term nomads will eventually need to pay taxes, as the Visa will most likely be renewable, it’s important to know that Italy provides financial advantages to self-employed individuals and freelancers. For example, professionals who make less than € 65,000 per year only pay up to 15% in taxes.

Other tax regimes may apply to the Digital Nomad Visa, such as Regime Forfettario through which Digital Nomads may pay a flat rate of 5% on 78% of their income. The Impatriates Regime through which the Italian region directly impacts the taxes to be paid, varying from 10% to 30%, depending on the region. However, it is very likely that regardless of the type of tax regime that you’ll fall under, once you’ve been approved for a digital nomad visa, you will automatically need to pay for INPS (Italian Social Security). 

Conclusion

We welcome the new Digital Nomad Visa measures designated to attract working professionals in Italy. As we saw, it is a great opportunity to take advantage of if you’re a freelancer or self-employed and you don’t need to be tied down to a physical office or face-to-face meetings. The Visa allows the holder to reach a higher level of independence and overall freedom within the EU. It is not the only Italian Working Visa that allows you to stay long-term, therefore look up the Self-Employment Visa, the Intra-Company Transfer Permit (ICT) and the Working Visa. Our hope is to encourage non-EU professionals to make a contribution to the social welfare system and the Italian general economy while having the time of their lives!

Written by Dalila, Legal Assistant

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