At the end of February, the Ministry of Internal Affairs submitted the final decree containing the implementing rules for the new digital nomad visa scheme. The exciting news is that the digital nomad visa is finally available and digital nomad visa applications are now permitted.
The visa targets highly skilled non-European remote workers with specialized knowledge, demanding a minimum income of 28,000 euro annually, suitable accommodation and comprehensive health insurance.
The final rule for the Italian digital nomad visa was published on April 5, 2024, and contains important clarifications for people who intend to apply.
What is required to apply for the new digital nomad visa?
The baseline qualifications for the Italian digital nomad visa start with at least six months of work experience as a digital nomad or remote worker. You must also show educational/professional experience to be qualified as a highly skilled worker: a university-level degree (showing academic credentials); a post-secondary professional qualification of at least three years; five years of professional experience in the sector relevant to the job offer; or three years of professional experience acquired in the previous seven years for managers and specialists working in the field of information and communication technologies.
The digital nomad visa makes it possible to freelance on a full-time remote basis for a list of clients or (and importantly) work full-time remotely for an existing company.
A frequent situation we encounter with international clients is that often their employers are open to allowing remote work, as long as their existing contracts remain unchanged. This requirement used to pose significant limitations for our clients before this visa was introduced. It often meant their employers had to arrange secondments, form agreements with local companies or even establish a legal presence in the area. This new visa scheme makes it possible for the employers of companies that are willing let them work remotely to apply for this visa and maintain the same work contract, without too much stress for the company.
The employment contract must show that the employer is willing to let you work remotely.
It is possible that the consulate will ask for proof of the university education with a university transcript. Under the already tested “highly qualified professionals”, we advised the applicants to get the documents from their universities with an Apostille, which is a form of legalization and certification of authenticity. To prove you have previous experience, we recommend collecting the contracts and other documents that you can show and share with the consulate to prove that you actually have been working remotely for a more extended period of time and that you have specific experience in the field for which you are applying for the digital nomad visa.
If the company is Italian, a declaration signed by the employer must attest to the absence of any criminal convictions for the company if the digital nomad is working full-time on a payroll for one company. Even if the law does not expressly mention it, it is likely that the application must also submit recent criminal background checks.
How long can I stay in Italy with a digital nomad visa?
The implementing rules confirmed that the visa will enable the digital nomad to stay in Italy as long as he/she wants. (A request to extend the visa for a year can be submitted directly at the immigration office without having to go back to the consulate). The digital nomad visa is initially issued for one year, but can be extended as necessary on an annual basis from within Italy to support full-time remote work from Italy.
Family members are also taken into consideration and can be included in the visa application under the family reunification provision. Advantageous Italian tax breaks for digital nomads are also offered on a limited basis.
The Italian digital nomad visa is a fantastic option for full-time remote workers in IT (or in any other applicable field) who can work on a full-time remote basis while residing permanently in Italy. Italy is stepping into 2024 with an eye to competitively attracting the best and brightest talent to the best and brightest life!
To find out more about this new visa, keep reading The Florentine and get in touch with Michele Capecchi at info@capecchilegal.com, as well as listening to his podcast at www.capecchilegal.com/podcast.
