Quick answer
The Digital Nomad/Remote Worker Visa allows non-EU citizens who are highly specialized workers to live in Italy while working remotely . The visa has two categories: Digital Nomad (self-employed) and Remote Worker (employee) [1]. Applicants must meet specific professional qualifications (e.g., university degree or 3+ years experience) [2], provide proof of income (min €25,500 for digital nomads [3] or €33,000 for remote workers with an employment contract and employer declaration [4]), travel insurance with €30,000 coverage [5], and suitable lodging [6]. Applications are submitted in person at the Italian Consulate [7] and processing takes up to 30 days (Remote Worker) or 120 days (Digital Nomad) [8]. After entry, a residence permit must be applied for within 8 working days [9].
Key facts
| Visa Categories | Digital Nomad (self-employed) and Remote Worker (employee)[1] |
| Minimum Income (Digital Nomad) | €25,500 per year (three times €8,500)[3] |
| Minimum Income & Contract (Remote Worker) | €33,000 per year plus employment contract and employer declaration[4] |
| Travel Insurance | Minimum €30,000 coverage[5] |
| Processing Time | Digital Nomad: up to 120 days; Remote Worker: up to 30 days[8] |
| Residence Permit | Must apply within 8 working days of entry[9] |
| Application Method | In person at Consulate, by appointment[7] |
Requirements
Don't want to read through this yourself? Answer a few questions and see exactly which category fits your situation.
Requirements in detail
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended return date.
One recent passport-size photo meeting ICAO standards.
Copy of passport front page and page with holder's signature.
Hard copy of valid inbound/outbound tickets. For long stay (over 90 days), both required; for short stay, return ticket required.
Duly completed visa application form (National visa form for stays over 90 days, Schengen form for up to 90 days).
Must provide evidence of high qualification via one of four options.
Bachelor's degree or higher, or secondary professional certificate (at least 3 years). If from non-EU, provide Declaration of Value or CIMEA certificate.
At least five years of professional experience. Provide trade/business license and tax assessments (if self-employed) or contracts/payslips and employer letter (if employed).
If profession is listed, obtain assessment from competent Italian authorities per Legislative Decree 206/2007.
At least three years of relevant professional experience in ICT in the last seven years.
At least six months of previous experience in the same work activity to be carried out as digital nomad or remote worker.
Proof of annual income from previous financial year of at least €25,500 (three times the minimum healthcare exemption amount).
Insurance covering at least €30,000 for medical repatriation, urgent medical attention, and emergency hospital treatment.
Proof of accommodation for the duration of stay: rental agreement registered with Agenzia delle Entrate (Option 1) or property ownership deeds (Option 2).
Rental agreement registered with Agenzia delle Entrate.
Property deeds (Visura catastale) registered with Agenzia delle Entrate.
Documents you'll need
Identity Documents
- Current passport with at least 3 months validity beyond intended return date
- One recent passport-size photo meeting ICAO standards
- Hard copy of passport’s front page and page with holder’s signature
- Non-Australian citizens: copy of valid Australian visa
- Hard copy of Australian driver’s license or other proof of address in N.S.W
- Citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Travel Document holders: parents’ full names from birth certificate, family certificate, or Consular declaration
Application Forms
- For long stay visa (>90 days): National visa application form
- For short stay visa (≤90 days): Schengen visa application form
Travel Documents
- For short stay: valid return ticket showing entry date; for long stay: valid inbound and outbound tickets
- If only inbound ticket is available, proof of sufficient funds to purchase outbound ticket
Qualification Proof
- Option 1: Bachelor degree or higher, or secondary professional certificate (at least 3 years). If from non-EU university, provide Declaration of Value or CIMEA certificate.
- Option 2: Higher professional qualification attested by at least 5 years of professional experience. Provide trade/business license + tax assessment (if self-employed) or employment contracts + pay slips + employer letter (if employed).
- Option 3: For regulated professions, qualification must be assessed by Italian authorities per Legislative Decree No. 206/2007.
- Option 4: Proof of 3 years of relevant IT experience as manager or specialist in the 7 years prior to application.
- Proof of previous at least 6 months experience in the work activity to be carried out as digital nomad/remote worker.
Financial Proof
- Proof of annual income at least €25,500 (three times €8,500) for digital nomad
- Proof of employment income at least €33,000 per year for remote worker
Insurance
- Travel insurance covering repatriation, urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment, death; minimum cover €30,000. Options: certificate of insurance with table of benefits, or credit card insurance with bank confirmation and table of benefits.
Lodging
- Proof of suitable lodging coherent with visa period: rental agreement registered with Agenzia delle Entrate, or property ownership deeds (Visura catastale).
Remote Worker Specific
- Proof of remote employment contract indicating role, date of employment, salary (minimum €33,000/year)
- Original letterheaded declaration from employer with copy of valid photo ID, certifying absence of convictions against him in last five years.
This list adjusts automatically based on your nationality and category.
How to apply
- 1
Book an appointment online at the Italian Consulate at least 180 days before your planned departure [7][13].
- 2
Prepare all required documents in hard copy as per the checklist, including identity documents [10], application forms [11], travel tickets [12], qualification proof [2], income proof [3][4], insurance [5], lodging [6], and remote worker-specific documents [4].
- 3
Attend the appointment in person at the Consulate; you may get help completing the application form if needed [7].
- 4
Pay the visa fee by EFPOS or cash [13].
- 5
Wait for processing: up to 30 days for Remote Worker, up to 120 days for Digital Nomad [8]. No fast track is available [13].
- 6
If approved, travel to Italy. Within 8 working days of entry, apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the local Questura [9].
- 7
After obtaining residence permit, you may sponsor dependent family members by submitting a request at the Questura [14].
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply earlier than 180 days before my planned travel?
No, applications cannot be lodged earlier than 180 days prior to departure [13].
Is there a fast track option?
No, no fast track is available [13].
Can I extend the visa or apply for an extension while in Italy?
No, visa applications and extensions are not processed in Italy [7].
Can I bring my family with me?
Yes, after obtaining your residence permit, you can sponsor dependent family members by submitting a request at the Questura [14].
What if I need to reschedule my appointment?
You may periodically check the booking system for earlier appointments due to cancellations [13].
Related visas
Sources
One numbered entry per specific claim — several entries may point to the same underlying document, each with its own locator.
- [1]
Definition and purpose of the visa
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [2]
Categories: Digital Nomad (self-employed) and Remote Worker (employee)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [3]
Professional qualification requirements (degree, experience, etc.)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [4]
Minimum income for Digital Nomad (self-employed)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [5]
Minimum income and contract/declaration for Remote Worker
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [6]
Travel insurance requirements
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [7]
Lodging requirements
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [8]
Application process (in person, booking, hard copies, help with form)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [9]
Processing times (30 days remote worker, 120 days digital nomad)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [10]
Residence permit requirement within 8 working days of entry
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [11]
Identity document requirements (passport, photo, etc.)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [12]
Application forms (national or Schengen depending on stay)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [13]
Travel ticket requirements
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked - [14]
Other rules (180 days, earlier appointments, 2-week recommendation, no fast track, payment methods)
Consulate General checklist PDF, example jurisdiction (Sydney) — hosted directly on esteri.it [Verified (official PDF)] · Last verified: Jul 23, 2026Verified — deep-linked
This page reflects Italy's officially published requirements as of the dates above. It is not legal advice, and final approval is solely at the discretion of Italy's immigration authorities. For a case-specific compliance check against your own documents, try VisaBook free.