Europe
Italy is an EU and Schengen country with very high tourism flows and several long stay options, including a national visa for digital nomads and remote workers and an elective residence visa for financially independent people.
Visa requirements vary by nationality
Citizens of EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), and Switzerland can live and work freely in Italy. No visa required. After 90 days, registration with local Anagrafe (civil registry) is required. After 5 years of continuous residence, eligible for permanent residence.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens have full right to work in Italy — employed, self-employed, or remotely — with no restrictions. No work permit or authorization required.
EU/EEA citizens who become Italian tax residents (183+ days/year) are subject to worldwide taxation at IRPEF rates: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000), plus regional and municipal surcharges. The impatriati regime (50% income exemption for 5 years, capped at €600,000) is available if requirements met. Regime Forfettario for self-employed: 5%/15% flat rate if billings ≤€85,000. Social security: covered by country where you work (EU coordination rules).
Long stay national visa for highly skilled non EU citizens who work remotely using technological tools as digital nomads or remote workers.
Minimum $28,000/per_year
Alternative: The law requires an annual income from lawful sources not less than three times the minimum level for exemption from healthcare cost participation. Consular guidance may round this amount or update it when the underlying threshold changes.
This visa explicitly permits remote work for foreign employers or clients.
Extension: 12 days (max x)
Cost: Free
Process: The residence permit for digital nomads and remote workers can be renewed in Italy as long as the income, insurance and professional requirements continue to be met and you comply with residence and tax rules.
Renewal: Renewable annually as long as requirements are met. No official cap on renewals in the decree.
DN visa holders who become Italian tax residents (183+ days/year) are subject to IRPEF: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000). The impatriati regime (from 2025): 50% income exemption for 5 years, capped at €600,000/year (60% with dependent minor children). Requires 3+ years prior foreign tax residency, degree or highly qualified status, 4-year stay commitment. The OLD 70%/90% exemption is NO LONGER available from 2025. Self-employed may access Regime Forfettario (5% first 5 years, then 15%, if billings ≤€85,000/year). The flat tax for new residents is €300,000/year from January 2026 (was €100K pre-2024, €200K in 2025) — covers ALL foreign-source income but NOT Italian-source work income.
Short stays in Italy and the Schengen area without a visa for eligible nationalities, up to 90 days in any 180 days.
Remote work is not explicitly authorized under tourist/visa-free entry. Italy technically requires a work visa for any work activity, but enforcement for short-stay digital nomads is practically non-existent. If you stay under 90 days and are not triggering Italian tax obligations, you are unlikely to face issues. However, income earned from work performed on Italian soil is technically subject to Italian tax.
Stays under 90 days: income from work performed in Italy is technically taxable, but enforcement is rare. If you spend 183+ days in Italy in a calendar year, you become tax resident with worldwide income taxable. IRPEF rates: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000), plus regional (1.23-3.33%) and municipal (0-0.9%) surcharges. Since 2024, physical presence of 183+ days triggers tax residency even without formal registration.
Short stay Schengen visa for travellers who need a visa to visit Italy and the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 days.
Same legal grey area as visa-free entry. The Schengen Type C visa authorizes tourism, business visits, and short stays — not employment or remote work. However, there is no practical enforcement for remote workers on short stays. Working remotely is technically unauthorized but widely practiced.
Same as visa-free entry: income from work performed in Italy is technically taxable. For stays under 183 days per calendar year, only Italian-source income is taxable. IRPEF progressive rates: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000). The 183-day tax residency threshold (since 2024 reform) counts partial days as full days.
Long stay national visa for financially independent persons such as retirees or people with substantial passive income who wish to live in Italy without working.
The elective residence visa strictly prohibits ALL forms of work, including remote work, freelance consulting, and managing a foreign business online. Income must be entirely passive (pensions, investments, rental income, dividends). Some consulates explicitly reject applications if there is any intent to work, even remotely. Applicants who need to work remotely should apply for the Digital Nomad Visa instead.
Holders become Italian tax residents, subject to worldwide taxation at IRPEF rates: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000), plus regional and municipal surcharges. The flat tax regime for new residents (€300,000/year from 2026, covering ALL foreign-source income) may be attractive for HNWIs — requires 9 of previous 10 years as non-Italian tax resident. Italian-source income remains subject to standard rates.
National visa for non EU students admitted to Italian universities or recognised study programmes for stays longer than 90 days.
Student visa holders may work part-time up to 20 hours per week (max 1,040 hours per year). This applies to employment contracts — remote work for foreign employers is not explicitly addressed. Part-time local employment is clearly permitted; remote freelance work for foreign clients falls into a legal grey area. Work must not interfere with studies.
Part-time employment income taxed at IRPEF rates: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000). Students working part-time are liable for social security contributions. If staying 183+ days, worldwide income becomes taxable. The Regime Forfettario may be available for self-employed students (5% for first 5 years if billings ≤€85,000/year).
National visa for non EU citizens who have an employment contract or firm job offer with an Italian employer under the relevant immigration quotas and rules.
The standard employed work visa (under the Decreto Flussi quota system) requires on-site employment with an Italian employer. Remote work for foreign employers is NOT permitted — Italy has a separate Digital Nomad/Remote Worker Visa for that purpose. The nulla osta (work authorization) is tied to a specific employer and role in Italy.
Employment income taxed at IRPEF: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000), plus regional and municipal surcharges. Employers withhold income tax and social security. The impatriati regime (50% exemption, capped at €600,000, for 5 years) is available if requirements met. Social security: employer ~30% + employee ~10% of gross salary. Italy has social security agreements with many countries.
Italy offers working holiday visas to citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan. For young people (18-30, or up to 35 for AU/CA) to live in Italy for up to 12 months, combining travel with short-term employment. Work limited to 6 months total.
The working holiday visa permits short-term employment in Italy (up to 6 months). Remote work for foreign clients is not explicitly addressed — the visa is designed for local employment experience. Remote freelance work falls into a legal grey area.
Employment income in Italy taxed at IRPEF rates: 23% (up to €28,000), 33% (€28,001-€50,000), 43% (over €50,000). If staying 183+ days, worldwide income may become taxable. Social security contributions apply to employment income. Tax treaties may provide relief.
Visa requirements can change frequently. This information is provided for general guidance only and should not be considered legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the official embassy or immigration authorities before making travel plans. Last updated: November 30, 2025