Italy Quick Facts
Many tourists and digital nomads alike are attracted to Italy. This country is famous worldwide for its amazing cuisine, historical landmarks, beautiful culture, and friendly locals.
As the birthplace of the renaissance and the heart of the Roman empire, Italy has historically been at the forefront of technological, political, and cultural advancements that helped the world evolve to its current form.
And now, remote workers can finally work and live here on a digital nomad visa for Italy! The Italian government is planning to launch a new visa to encourage foreigners to spend a year working remotely in the country. The decree was first introduced in January and voted into law on March 28, 2022.
Living in Italy as a digital nomad
Italy is everyone’s dream. From the vineyards of Tuscany to historical Vatican City, there is something for everyone.
Italy is known for its world-famous cuisine, its passion for football, great wines, incredible landscapes, and rich culture, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe and the world.
The country is also home to the tallest mountain in Europe as well as 68 world heritage sites, more than any other country in the world. If you are looking for a new remote work location, Italy offers compelling reasons to consider a move to the boot-shaped nation.
It really is no surprise that this magical country is the dream destination for many digital nomads and remote workers. Every corner and nook in Italy is rich with history. There’s something to learn with every corner you turn. And even with this, Italy is an extremely modern country. It’s a global trendsetter. From fashion to cuisine to art, Italy is home to many up-and-coming businesses that are revolutionary.
Everyone wants to be a part of this and now digital nomads have a chance to live in this legendary country!
Attractions and best places to visit
Italy is a big country and it has a lot of places worth visiting. Every city is unique and different from the others, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Of course, Rome is a must-go for everyone. The Eternal City is as legendary and breathtaking as everyone describes. This city showcases the vast traces of the rich ancient Roman empire and the Renaissance noble families that followed it. Walking through the streets of Rome feels like walking through history. There’s something new to learn with every place you visit.
Touristic attractions like The Colosseum, The Roman Forum, and Palantine Hill are a must if you want to learn about the rich history of the Roman Empire. Rome is also overflowing with art museums. You can visit Galleria Borghese, home to many of Bernini’s works like The Rape of Proserpina and Apollo and Daphne.
You can also find many parks around Rome. Take a nice stroll or enjoy a bike ride through nature while enjoying the fresh air. Or plan a picnic and spend the day reading and writing surrounded by the magical vibes of the city.
Another city worth visiting is Florence. Even though it’s small, Florence has so many things to offer to all of its visitors. It is very easy to navigate the city on foot. Florence has many iconic places like Galleria dell’Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s David. There is also Galleria Uffizi, which is home to many paintings, including The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli.
Another amazing city you have to visit while living in Italy is Milan. Milan is the capital of Italian fashion. Plus, this city is a large center of commerce, technology, and finance. While in Milan, make sure to visit Santa Maria Delle Grazie, a gothic brick church, home to Leonard da Vinci’s Last Supper. Milan is also home to many luxurious shops and elegant cafés. Visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for a breathtaking experience.
Digital nomad hotspots
Milan is one of the top hotspots for digital nomads and remote workers. The beautiful city keeps growing every year. It’s a commerce and technology hub. Many remote workers take advantage of the many co-working spaces this city has to offer.
Rome is another city bursting with co-working spaces. The capital of Italy is home to many remote workers and digital nomads. You will find people from all over the world living in Rome. This city has a lot to offer so digital nomads can enjoy the best of Italian culture while working from their computers.
Cost of Living
Unfortunately, when it comes to costs Italy is on the higher side. Getting around is generally affordable, however, accommodations and living costs are relatively high compared to other countries in the EU.
You can rent a studio apartment in the city center of Rome for $1,310/month. In Milan, you’ll find a studio apartment for $1,090/month. Eating out costs around $17 per meal in both cities.
Italy has a great system of public transport, but it varies by city. Rome is known for having a rather small subway system. It only has three lines. People in Rome usually take the buses, which run all over the city. A weekly pass to use the busses and metro costs around $26.
In Milan, the metro has four lines, and it is the longest metro line in Italy. The city also has many buses. You can purchase a monthly pass for $38. However, both cities are perfect for traveling by bicycle or on foot.
Digital nomad essentials
Italy has great internet connectiviity. Many cities offer high-speed internet, and it is very easy to purchase a SIM card to use while living in Italy.
In Rome and Milan, you can find an average internet speed of 13Mbps. There are different phone providers in Italy. The most common ones are TIM and Iliad. TIM offers a prepaid SIM card for $22 with 40 GB of data, with free EU roaming.
Italy also has many co-working spaces, especially in Milan. We recommend you visit these ones:
Italy also has many coffee shops and restaurants that offer free wifi and make the perfect scene for working remotely. Check out these places:
Try our free visa wizard to figure out which visas you qualify for!
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Visa Overview
If you’re a remote worker looking to live in Italy, you’re in luck! The government of Italy has now confirmed the launch of a digital nomad visa for Italy. It was officially voted into law on March 28, 2022. There isn’t much information yet, but we’ll keep you updated so you know exactly when you can start applying!
This new digital nomad visa for Italy is designed for non-EU digital nomads, or those who “carry out highly qualified work activities through the use of technological tools that allow them to work remotely, autonomously, or for a company that is not resident in the territory of the Italian state.”
Who counts as “highly qualified” is not defined yet. Reports say this category includes everyone from “university professors to circus employees, seafarers, and professional nurses.” So we’ll have to wait if they define more accurately who they consider a “highly qualified” worker.
At the moment, there is no limit on the number of permits they’ll issue annually. Additionally, it looks like they will set minimum income requirements, but they are not known yet.
Italy has other visas available, like the Self-employment Visa or the Intra-company Visa, which are also worth checking out.
Traveling to Italy also comes with some travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Stay up to date with the current travel restrictions here!
Citizen Remote has a broad range of resources to assist with the exciting process of relocating to another country!
Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Italy
The digital nomad visa for Italy is aimed toward “highly qualified” remote workers and freelancers who work outside the European Union.
Since the law has not come into effect yet, there aren’t many details. It seems they will set minimum income requirements, but nothing has been set yet. Also, as of right now, there aren’t any specifications about nationalities, but stay tuned for more updates.
How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Italy
Sadly, the applications are not open yet. The law was just approved in March, but it will take some time before it comes into effect. This could take a couple of months. We’ll update this page as soon as the next steps are confirmed.
Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa for Italy
The digital nomad visa in Italy is supposed to work similarly to the visas in other EU countries like Germany or Portugal. Even though the official requirements have not been announced yet, there are some that every visa needs.
Recent passport-size photograph
Proof of suitable accommodation
Adequate income
Health insurance
Clean criminal record
The specific details about some of these requirements and their implementation are yet to be defined.
Remote workers will also need to meet a minimum income requirement, but the exact amount is unknown yet.
How much does it cost?
We don’t know exactly how much the digital nomad visa for Italy is going to cost yet as the information has yet to be released. But we will update this page as soon as we know more!
Timeline for Applying
Information for applying for the digital nomad visa for Italy is not available at the moment. Applications are not possible yet, so the timeline to apply is unknown.
Curious about other digital nomad visa options? Why not check out Hungary or Spain. Or plug all your details into our Visa Wizard to see all the options available to you.
