Italy digital nomad visa: Complete guide

Love the idea of travelling the world, working remotely as you go? One of the most popular places for digital nomads is Italy, famous for its beautiful weather, fabulous food, stunning architecture and rich culture.

In this guide, we’ll be taking a close look at the Italy digital nomad visa. We’ll cover everything you need to know as a UK national, including what this visa is, how to apply for it, what documents you’ll need and how much it costs.

So, let’s get started.

Italy digital nomad visa: requirements and eligibility

Italy is one of many countries which has a digital nomad visa.

This visa gives non-EU citizens the legal right to live and work in the country for the purposes of carrying out remote work. It’s a one-year visa, with the option to renew.¹

There are two types available:²

• The remote worker visa - this is for employees of a company who need to work in Italy remotely
• The digital nomad visa - this is for freelancers, consultants or other independent specialists

These visas are only available to people in qualifying professions carrying out highly specialised work.

To meet the Italy digital nomad visa requirements, you’ll need to have a role that requires at least three years of professional training or experience, or which requires either a bachelor’s, master's or doctorate degree.²

If you’re moving to Italy to work remotely on behalf of a company, you must also meet an additional requirement. You must have a salary that equals or exceeds the standard salary for your particular role as negotiated by the relevant Italian national union.²

All applicants must be able to demonstrate an annual income of at least €25,500 EUR (approx. £22,140 in GBP) - this is to qualify for exemption from participation in medical and health public assistance.²

It’s important to note that this visa is only for workers - not for people looking to start a business in Italy. If that’s you, you might want to read our guide to the Italy startup visa for entrepreneurs.

How much does it cost?

The Italy digital nomad visa costs £98.20 GBP in application fees. This is the same for both the remote worker and digital nomad versions of the visa.³

You’ll also have to pay a service fee of £12.52 GBP to apply for your visa through VFS Global - the official partner of the Embassy of Italy in the UK, through which visa applications are processed.³

Aside from the upfront application fees, there may be other costs to factor in. For example, the cost of getting private travel/health insurance.

What documents do you need?

You’ll need quite a lot of documents to apply for a digital nomad visa for Italy:⁴

• A completed and signed visa application form
• A valid passport with at least 3 months remaining after the return date of your trip, and at least 2 blank pages
• One recent (within the last 6 months) passport-sized photograph of yourself
• Proof of an annual income of at least €25,500 EUR (approx. £22,140 in GBP) - such as payslips, P60s or officially filed copies of tax returns
• Proof of a recognised highly qualified profession - such as a degree certificate or a professional qualification from an Italian regulated professional body. Alternatively, you can prove 5 years of work experience in your profession through documents such as an employment contract, P60s or tax returns
• Proof of employment (for remote worker visa) - an employment contract showing your salary, and a letter from your employer stating that they have not been convicted of crimes relating to illegal immigration, exploitation of minors for work purposes or violating labour laws²
• Proof of address in Italy - such as proof of ownership deeds if you own a property in Italy, or a rental agreement if you’re renting a home
• Proof of valid health insurance to cover medical/hospital costs during your stay
• Proof of at least 6 months relevant work experience
• Travel tickets/reservations.

Opening an Italian bank account isn’t a stated requirement, but it could be useful to have as you’re planning your move overseas. It may be the case that you’re not able to keep your UK account open, so you’ll need an alternative to manage your money while in Italy.

How to apply for the digital nomad visa in Italy

According to the Consulate General of Italy in London, applications for the Italy digital nomad visa are carried out through VFS Global.⁴

Here’s how to do it:⁵

1. Check your eligibility - in particular, the minimum income and highly qualified professions requirements
2. Get your documents together
3. Download the application form - you can find it either here on the Consulate General of Italy in London website or the VFS Global Italy website
4. Print and complete the application form
5. Book an appointment at your nearest visa application centre - there are centres in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. You’ll need to create an account with VFS Global, sign in and then book your appointment online.
6. Pay your visa application fee and any applicable service fees
7. Attend your appointment, making sure to take along your completed application form and all supporting documents. Your biometric information and photo will be taken during your appointment.
8. Wait for your application to be processed - VFS Global also offers a tracking service so you can see where your application is up to and how long it is likely to take.
9. Collect your passport and visa documents from the visa application centre, or arrange for them to be delivered to you via courier (for a fee).

How long can you stay in Italy as a digital nomad?

You can stay in Italy for up to one year with the digital nomad visa, with the option to renew after this period.

However, you must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) at your local *Questura *(provincial police headquarters) within 8 days of arriving in Italy with this visa. The permit will then replace your visa.²

Taxes for digital nomads in Italy

There’s no specific Italy digital nomad visa tax under the country’s laws, but you’ll still be liable for income taxes while living and working in Italy.

As you’ll be staying for at least a year, you’ll be classed as a tax resident of Italy for that tax year. This means that you’ll need to pay income tax on all worldwide income, charged at a rate linked to the income band you fall into.⁶

You may potentially be able to reduce this if you qualify for a scheme called the impatriati tax regime - which offers tax incentives to encourage highly specialised workers to move to Italy.⁶

If you live in Italy for at least four years and meet the requirements, you could reduce the amount of income you’re taxed on.⁶

Using Wise to pay for your visa and spending abroad

That’s everything you need to know about the digital nomad visa in Italy. Before applying make sure you check for any updates to the application process or the requirements.

Since you’ll have quite a few expenses to cover before and after relocating to Italy, you should consider the best ways to manage your money.

Though Wise is not a bank, the Wise account can be a great alternative to traditional banks. You can send money with Wise between the UK and Italy at the mid-market exchange rate for low fees*.

The linked Wise card can help you out once you arrive in your new home. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend in 150+ countries, including Italy.

It auto-converts the money in your Wise account to the right currency whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account*.

Why not open an account and use it to pay for your visa costs and spending while in Italy?

Open a Wise account 🌍

For more help settling into life in Italy, read our handy guides:

• Moving to Italy from the UK
• Buying property in Italy as a foreigner
• Payment methods in Italy
• How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Italy
• How to open a bank account in Italy as a non-resident

FAQs about the Italian digital nomad visa

Here are some additional things you may want to know about the digital nomad visa and working in Italy:

Can UK citizens work remotely in Italy?

Yes, the Italy digital nomad visa is designed for non-EU citizens - which includes the UK. However, you’ll only be able to work remotely in Italy if you are a freelancer who can work anywhere, or your employer permits you to work remotely overseas.

Can I bring my family on an Italian digital nomad visa?

Yes - once you’ve been granted a digital nomad visa, you can apply for a family visa for a spouse and children under the age of 18 to come and live with you in Italy.⁷

Does an Italian digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?

The Italy digital nomad visa doesn’t directly lead to Italian citizenship. However, it is renewable - and once you’ve lived in Italy for 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency.

After a further 5 years, you may be able to apply for Italian citizenship.⁸

Sources used:

1. Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York - one year visa
2. Immigration Advice Service - types of visa, requirements and additional documents needed
3. VFS Global - visa fees
4. Consolato Generale d'Italia Londra - documents needed
5. VFS Global - applying for a visa
6. Arletti & Partners - tax info including new Impatriate Tax Regime rules
7. Global Citizen Solutions- sponsoring a spouse or child
8. Immigrant Invest - when you can apply for permanent residency and citizenship

Sources last checked on date: 15-Jul-2025