What this visa is
The visa was created by article 27-quater of the Testo Unico Immigrazione and regulated by the interministerial decree of February 29, 2024, in force since April 4, 2024. It covers two situations:
- Digital nomad: a self-employed person who works remotely using technology for clients, usually outside Italy.
- Remote worker: an employee or contractor of a company who works remotely under a contract or binding offer.
A key advantage: you don't need a work nulla osta and you don't depend on the Decreto Flussi quotas. The application goes straight to the Italian consulate for the area where you live.
minimum annual income for the main applicant, depending on the consulate
of minimum experience in your remote work field
permesso validity, renewable every year
to apply for the permesso at the Questura after arrival
Who can apply
You need to qualify as a highly skilled worker. In practice, that means meeting at least one of these conditions:
- a higher education degree of at least three years (a completed bachelor's degree, for example);
- a regulated professional qualification, recognized in Italy before you apply;
- at least five years of documented professional experience at a comparable level;
- for IT managers and specialists, at least three years of experience in the last seven years.
You also need at least six months of experience in the work you'll be doing remotely.
Minimum income
The decree doesn't set a figure in euros. It requires annual income from a lawful source of at least three times the income threshold for exemption from healthcare cost-sharing. That threshold is about €8,263 to €8,500, which comes to roughly €24,800 to €25,500 per year. Some consulates round it up to about €27,000 or €28,000. To be safe, plan for at least €28,000 gross per year and confirm the amount with the consulate for your jurisdiction.
To estimate your case, including a spouse and kids, use the digital nomad simulator.
Insurance, housing and other documents
- Health insurance covering medical treatment and hospitalization, valid throughout Italy for the entire period.
- Housing: a document showing where you'll live. Several consulates ask for a registered lease in your name; invitation letters from friends or relatives are often rejected.
- Employment contract, contractor agreement or binding offer, if you're a remote worker. The employer declares it has had no convictions in the last five years for crimes related to labor exploitation.
- Proof of qualifications: diploma with a declaration of value or a CIMEA statement of comparability.
- Passport, national visa application form, photo, ticket and proof of residence in the consulate's jurisdiction.
Foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Italian. See the full list in our moving checklist.
Step by step
Check your qualifications and income
Gather your diploma or proof of experience and income records for recent months (pay stubs, contracts, tax return).
Settle your housing
Sign a medium- or long-term rental, preferably with a lease registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate. This also makes registering your residence at the comune easier later.
Buy health insurance
Choose an annual policy that covers hospitalization and medical treatment in Italy, with no low limits.
Book your consulate appointment
In Brazil, appointments are usually booked on Prenot@mi for the consulate in your area. Bring everything apostilled and translated.
Enter Italy and apply for the permesso
Within eight business days, apply for the permesso di soggiorno (kit at the post office or at the Questura, depending on the city). You can work from the moment you apply.
Residence, codice fiscale and taxes
Register with the comune (residenza anagrafica), sort out your codice fiscale and talk to a commercialista about a Partita IVA and INPS contributions.
Family
The decree allows family reunification for your spouse and minor children. They receive a family permesso with the same duration as yours. Family reunification follows the general rules, with minimum income based on the assegno sociale (in 2026, about €7,101 per year, plus half of that for each family member). In practice, consulates may ask for much more than this minimum. [confirm amounts and procedure with the consulate]
Taxes: watch the 183 days
If you stay in Italy more than 183 days a year, or have a registered residence or domicile here, you generally become an Italian tax resident and report your worldwide income. Double taxation treaties help you avoid paying twice. The “impatriati” regime can reduce the taxable base in some cases. Run the numbers in our tax calculator and confirm with our partner commercialista.
| Situation | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| Freelancer with clients abroad | Opens a Partita IVA in Italy and pays into INPS (gestione separata or another scheme) |
| Employee of a foreign company | Depends on the treaty and social security agreements; the company may have obligations in Italy |
| Stays less than 183 days | May not become a tax resident, but check residence and domicile |
Common mistakes
- Thinking you can enter as a tourist and convert your visa in Italy. You can't.
- Submitting a hotel or Airbnb booking as housing.
- Insurance with low coverage or that doesn't include hospitalization.
- A diploma without a declaration of value or CIMEA statement.
- Ignoring tax residence and only finding out about taxes the following year.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work for an Italian company on this visa?
The visa is designed for remote work, with an employer or clients generally outside Italy. If you plan to work for an Italian company, see the working for an Italian employer path.
Do I need a university degree?
Not necessarily. Five years of documented experience at a comparable level also counts, and for IT, three years in the last seven is enough.
How long does the consulate take?
It varies. Some consulates state up to 30 days for remote workers and up to 120 days for digital nomads. Apply well in advance.
My Italian citizenship is in progress. Is this worth it?
If you're already a recognized Italian citizen, you don't need a visa. If your case is in progress, talk to us before deciding. See also the path for descendants.
Can I renew and later apply for long-term residence?
The permesso is renewable every year as long as you still meet the requirements. Once you have the required period of legal residence, you can look into the EU long-term permesso.
Sources: Interministerial decree of 02/29/2024 (Gazzetta Ufficiale text) (accessed Oct 2026); Embassy of Italy in Tunis, visa fact sheet (May 2026); Consulate of Italy in Melbourne (Jul 2026); Embassy of Italy in Pretoria (Aug 2026); Assolombarda (Sep 2025); Fiscomania (Feb 2025); Income for family reunification 2026 (2026).