Residency in Italy
The ideal opportunity for digital nomads to elevate their quality of life with streamlined residency in the European Union.
Italy: A European residence full of culture, flavors, and landscapes
The advantages of Italian residency
Italian residency is a powerful document, coveted by many, offering benefits such as:
- European Union Residency: You will have the right to free movement within any European Union country.
- Excellent Quality of Life: Italy offers high-quality public services, including an excellent healthcare system that is frequently top-ranked by the WHO.
- Safety: Italy is one of the safest countries in Europe, with crime rates among the lowest on the continent (0.5 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants).
- Special Tax Advantages: Digital nomads settling in Italy can benefit from two advantageous tax regimes. The "Flat-Rate Regime" (Regime Forfetário) allows freelancers with an annual income of up to €85,000 to pay only 5% tax for the first 5 years, increasing to 15% thereafter. The "Inpatriate Regime" (Regime de Impatriados) offers a 50% deduction on taxable income for freelancers and those relocating for work.
Residency in Italy for Digital Nomads
As of April 4, 2024, the Interministerial Decree of February 29, 2024, came into effect, allowing non-EU digital nomads to live and work remotely in Italy for an initial period of 1 year, with the possibility of annual renewal.
Provided they meet certain requirements and maintain highly qualified work, either as freelancers or for foreign companies.
The visa processing time is 30 to 90 days and serves as a gateway to obtaining permanent residency in Italy or an EU Card. However, this visa does not lead directly to Italian citizenship.
Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa
To be issued the visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a foreign national: The visa is only available to foreign nationals who do not hold citizenship or residency in any European Union country.
- Be a qualified professional: The applicant must prove they perform highly qualified work by providing documentation, such as a higher education degree or proof of at least 5 years of professional experience.
- Minimum annual income: Prove a minimum annual income of 28,000 EUR to cover health expenses.
- Proof of accommodation: Provide a property purchase or rental agreement for the duration of your stay.
- Health insurance: Possess health insurance for medical treatment and hospitalization valid in Italy for the entire duration of your stay, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR.
- Experience: Prove at least 6 months of experience in your current professional field by providing contracts, invoices, and other relevant documentation.
Required Documents for the Digital Nomad Visa
To apply for the visa, you must submit several documents to the Italian Consulate. All must be apostilled by the competent authorities and accompanied by a translation into Italian.
Important: Documents must have been issued within the last 3 months.
Required documents:
- Valid passport.
- Photos: Two passport-sized photos with a white background (35mm x 40mm).
- Criminal record certificate: Covering the last 5 years.
- Visa application form: Completed and signed.
- Proof of income: Demonstrating the minimum annual income requirement.
- Health insurance: Medical and hospital coverage valid in Italy.
- Housing certificate: Proof of accommodation for the first 30 days or more, such as a rental agreement or property purchase contract.
- Proof of experience: Employment or collaboration contracts, university degrees, among others.
Digital Nomad Visa Process
Visa Application
The application can be made either in your home country or elsewhere, including through a power of attorney granted to our team. However, depending on the consulate, securing an appointment can take time.
After the Visa
Upon arriving in Italy, you must apply for a "permesso di soggiorno" (residence permit) at the local police station within 8 days, presenting the same documentation used at the consulate. While your application is being processed, you will be legally in the country with temporary documentation.
Tax Compliance
Along with your residence permit, digital nomads working for foreign companies must apply for a tax code (codice fiscale), the equivalent of a Social Security number. Freelancers working in commercial activities must apply for a "Partita IVA" at the local tax office.
Digital Nomad in Italy
A few weeks after applying for your permesso di soggiorno, your "digital nomad – remote worker" residence permit, valid for up to one year and renewable annually, will be confirmed.
More information about Italy
- Article: How to Obtain Italian Citizenship by Descent
- Article: Living in Italy: 3 Special Tax Regimes to Attract Foreigners
- Podcast: Life in Italy and Educational Opportunities in Europe - with Nátali Lazzari
- Podcast: Changes to Italian Immigration Law in 2024 - with Nátali Lazzari
- Podcast: Everything about Italian Citizenship - with Gabriel Castanho
Pricing and residency options
Residency in Italy
US$2199
- Legal counsel throughout the entire residency application period.
- Compilation, compliance review, and due diligence for all required documentation.
- Coordination of all appointments and communication with immigration and consular officials.
- Discounts available for families and members of the Settee Community. Details in the FAQ below.
Is Italian Residency right for me?
Who is Italian Residency for?
- Those looking to live in the European Union: Italian residency offers the opportunity to live in one of the countries with the highest quality of life in the European Union.
- Freelancers, retirees, and skilled professionals: Individuals in these categories can access preferential tax regimes, allowing for a dolce vita with lower taxes.
- Professionals with proven experience: The nomad visa is ideal for those with a solid career who wish to work remotely from Italy.
We Do Not Recommend Italian Residency For:
- Those who want a low cost of living: For those seeking a lower cost of living, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, or Latin America may be better options.
- Those who want citizenship by naturalization in less than 5 years: Italian naturalization requires a longer residency period (10 years); those seeking faster citizenship might consider Spain.
- Those who do not want to pay taxes in Italy: Italian residency entails tax obligations and is better suited for those willing to fulfill these tax responsibilities.
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Additional Digital Nomad Visa Services
Tax Optimization
Flat-rate regime or Impatriate regime. Our accountants can help you structure and process the most advantageous tax option for your residency in Italy.
Social Security
Some countries, such as Brazil, have bilateral social security agreements with Italy. This allows you to continue contributing to your home country's social security system, exempting you from the Italian system. Settee can help you secure this benefit through specialized pension planning.
Company Incorporation
Your company in Italy. Enter the European market with all the necessary support.
Italian Citizenship
Looking to apply for Italian citizenship? Whether by marriage, descent, or naturalization, our associates can assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Review and provision of document templates
- Preparation of the document collection pipeline
- Application submission
- Coordination of sworn translations
- Payment of all administrative fees
- Fees for obtaining and legalizing foreign documents
- Appeal of a negative decision
- Sworn translation costs
- Self-employed registration with the tax and social security departments
Tax optimization: Italy allows for 3 types of special tax regimes:
- Flat-Rate Regime: allows self-employed individuals with a gross annual income of up to €85,000 to pay a flat tax of 5% for the first 5 years, and 15% thereafter.
- Inpatriate Regime: offers a 50% deduction on taxable income for self-employed individuals and employees.
- Regime for retirees: an incentive aimed at revitalizing small, depopulated Italian towns, offering a tax reduction with a 7% flat tax for foreign retirees who settle in certain regions of the country.
Rely on experts in the field to help you structure the most beneficial tax option for your residency in Italy. We can process applications for the Flat-Rate or Inpatriate regimes starting at 1500 USD.
Pension planning: Social security contributions in Italy total between 24% and 34%, depending on the activity.
- However, some countries, such as Brazil, have bilateral social security agreements with Italy. This allows you to continue contributing to your home country's pension system, avoiding Italian social security.
Settee can help you obtain this benefit through specialized pension planning.
- Italian Citizenship: We can assist with Italian citizenship processes by descent and naturalization.
For any of these services, get in touch.
Settee Community: As an annual member of the Settee Community, you receive a 200 USD discount on your application as the primary applicant. Since the annual plan costs 200 USD, we recommend becoming a member before applying!
- Additional members: There is a 300 USD discount for dependents.
Appointment wait times at the consulate vary, while visa processing generally takes 30 to 90 days, provided the documentation is correct. In some cases, the visa may be granted on the day of the application, but the Consulate has a maximum legal timeframe of 90 days to provide a response.
No. The process can be initiated at Italian consulates in various countries. However, once the visa is obtained, you must apply for residency in Italy.
Digital nomads are required to pay taxes in Italy. However, there are two advantageous tax regimes available to newcomers for which digital nomads may qualify:
The "Flat-Rate Regime" (Regime Forfettario) — allows self-employed individuals with a gross annual income of up to €65,000 to pay a flat tax of 5% for the first 5 years, and 15% thereafter.
The "Inpatriate Regime" (Regime di Impatriati) — offers a 50% tax deduction on taxable income for freelancers, sole traders, and employees.
Yes, after 5 years of residency as a digital nomad, you can apply for permanent residency. After another 5 years with permanent residency, it is possible to begin the citizenship process.
No. The visa granted to freelancers allows only for work performed outside of Italy. Working for an Italian company would require a different type of visa, such as an Italian self-employment visa or a work permit.
Yes, you can bring your spouse and dependent children to Italy. They will need to apply for a family reunification visa, which will allow them to live in Italy for the duration of your digital nomad visa.
If you lose your job, you must inform the Italian authorities. In this situation, you may need to apply for a different visa or leave the country if you cannot meet the requirements for any other visa.