Digital Nomad Visa — Italy 2025
Contents
- What is the Digital Nomad visa
- Who can get it
- Income requirements
- Full list of documents
- Application process: step by step
- Timelines and real cases
- After arrival: first steps in Italy
- Taxes and financial model
- Moving with family
- Residence permit renewal
- Main mistakes
- DN vs Lavoro Autonomo: a fair comparison
- Strategy: how to use DN correctly
- Recent changes 2024-2025
- Conclusions
What is the Digital Nomad visa
Main article on the topic: Residence permits: all types
Navigation across all guides - knowledge base.
Digital Nomad (Nomadi Digitali) is a type of Visa D (national long-stay visa) that Italy officially launched in 2024 based on Law No. 25 of 2022. This is the first immigration status in Italy’s history created specifically for people who work remotely using digital tools.
The main advantage of the DN is the ability to assemble all documents in your country of residence and apply at the consulate without needing a Nulla Osta or going through quotas (Decreto Flussi). The visa falls under article 27 TUI (fuori quota — out of quotas), which means the consul reviews the application independently and quickly.
IMPORTANT
The DN visa does not require a Nulla Osta and is not subject to the Decreto Flussi quotas. This is one of the key differences from Lavoro Autonomo, where there are only 700 quota places per year in total.
The law defines two recipient categories:
- Digital nomad (nomade digitale) — a self-employed worker using digital tools for remote work
- Remote employee (lavoratore da remoto) — an employee or contractor performing work remotely
"The Digital Nomad visa was not created just for IT specialists; it was created for people of ALL professions who can work remotely."
Who can get the DN visa
One of the most common misconceptions is that the Digital Nomad visa is only for programmers. In fact, it is suitable for any profession that can be performed remotely using digital tools.
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IT and development
Programmers, testers, DevOps, system administrators
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Content and media
Copywriters, editors, translators, bloggers, journalists
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Design and creative
Graphic designers, architects (CAD), interior designers, photographers, videographers
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Marketing and business
Marketers, SMM specialists, art directors, event planners
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Consulting and finance
Financial consultants, accountants, lawyers (remotely)
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Education
Online teachers, tutors, coaches, trainers
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Other
Psychologists, researchers, traders, screenwriters, musicians, fitness instructors
Basic requirements
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Citizenship
Non-EU citizen, over 18 years old
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No criminal record
Clean criminal history
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Remote work experience
Minimum 6 months of documented remote work experience
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Income
From ~28,000 EUR/year (see section below)
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Health insurance
Coverage of at least 30,000 EUR
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Qualification
Higher education (or equivalent — see below)
Three ways to prove qualification
Higher education diploma
With an apostille, an accredited translation into Italian and a Dichiarazione di Valore (DDV) from the consulate. The most common route.
Regulated professional activity
Compliance with Government Decree No. 206 of 6 November 2007 (qualification obtained in Italy).
Professional experience 5+ years
Senior professional qualification confirmed by 5+ years of experience at a level comparable to higher education.
UNIQUE FEATURE
The Italian DN visa allows working for Italian employers as well — no other country with a DN visa offers this.
Income requirements
The income threshold is calculated as three times the threshold for healthcare exemption (~8,263 EUR). If you have a family, the basic threshold increases:
| Family composition | Base threshold | x3 = minimum income |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | ~8,263 EUR | ~24,790 EUR |
| With spouse/partner | ~11,362 EUR | ~34,086 EUR |
| + each child | +516 EUR to base | +1,548 EUR to minimum |
ATTENTION
A bank statement is NOT proof of income. The consulate needs to see documented, legal income: tax returns, 2-NDFL certificates, data from the “My Tax” app. Simply having money in the account is not sufficient.
"The consul needs to know that you work legally and will continue to do so after moving to Italy."
Full list of documents
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Passport
Valid, with sufficient validity period
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Higher education diploma
With apostille + accredited translation into Italian + DDV from the consulate
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Proof of income
Tax return, 2-NDFL, statement from “My Tax” — for 12 months
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Health insurance
Coverage at least 30,000 EUR
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Proof of accommodation
Lease agreement or proof of property ownership in Italy
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Letter from employer
With a copy of the employer’s ID document, confirming absence of convictions for crimes related to illegal immigration in the last 5 years. According to a prescribed template.
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Portfolio of work
Proof of professional activity
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Motivation letter
Justification of the intention to work remotely from Italy
Diploma legalization: step by step
This process takes time — start well in advance, queues can be long.
Apostille
Placed at the regional education authority or via government services/MFC (multifunction centers).
Cost: 2,500 RUB per document
Accredited translation into Italian
Performed by an accredited translator at the Italian consulate in Moscow or St. Petersburg.
Dichiarazione di Valore (DDV)
Statement of the diploma’s value issued by the consulate.
Cost: 4,090 RUB + 1,300 RUB/page for translation verification + 1,000 RUB/page for copy verification
Proof of income by employment type
| Employment type | Documents to prove income |
|---|---|
| Individual entrepreneur (IP) (USN, OSNO, patent) | Tax return + bank account statement |
| Self-employed (NPD) | Statement from the “My Tax” app for 12 months + receipts |
| Employed worker | Employer certificate + 2-NDFL for the year |
| Foreign income | Equivalent tax document from the country of income |
Application process: step by step
Assemble documents in your country of residence
All documents are assembled in Russia (or the country of citizenship/residence). No Italian documents are required at this stage — Nulla Osta is not needed.
Tip: Start with diploma legalization — this is the longest stage
Submit to the Italian consulate
Apply for a Visa D (national long-stay visa) at the Italian consulate in your country of residence: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Belgrade, Tel Aviv, etc.
Important: You cannot obtain the visa from within Italy — applications must be made through a consulate abroad
Waiting for a decision
Processing times vary from 2 weeks to 10 months depending on the consulate and correctness of documents. See the “Timelines” section for details.
Entry to Italy
After receiving the visa — enter Italy within 180 days from the visa issuance.
Submit documents for the residence permit (within 8 days)
Send the document package via the post office (Poste Italiane). A date for a visit to the Questura for fingerprinting is assigned at the same time.
Tip: The permesso start date is counted from the moment of sending at the post office, not from receiving the plastic card
Obtain the Permesso di Soggiorno
After fingerprinting you receive the plastic permesso card. By law — 30-40 days. In practice it depends on the city: Milan — fast, others — may delay.
RICEVUTA = LEGAL BASIS
Between submitting documents and receiving the plastic card you live under the ricevuta (receipt). It gives the right to exit Italy and re-enter. When traveling, attach your passport to the ricevuta.
Timelines and real cases
| Consulate | Processing time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Moscow (DN directly) | from 2 weeks to 10 months | The first DN visa was issued in September 2024 |
| Israel | ~1 month | With correct documents |
| Outside Russia (general) | 2 weeks — 1.5 months | With properly prepared documents |
"The waiting time ranges from two weeks to one and a half months."
Context: Refers to timings with correctly prepared documents outside Russia
Real cases
First DN visa in Moscow — September 2024
A client of Alsou Gumirova became the first holder of a DN visa issued by the consulate in Moscow. The consulate confirmed it was the first. Quick processing, no additional requests with correct documents.
Conversion LA → DN in Moscow — December 2024
An IP on a patent, business analyst in IT, bachelor from HSE + 4 additional certifications. Applied for Lavoro Autonomo in February 2024, in December received a request for additional documents (diploma + insurance), ultimately received a DN visa. Total wait: ~10 months.
DN visa in Israel after LA refusal — January 2025
A client applied for Lavoro Autonomo independently — was refused. After case analysis applied for DN on December 2, and received the visa within a month.
Permesso for 2 years in Rome — November 2025
A client received a Permesso di Soggiorno under DN for 2 years instead of the standard 1 year. The result of well-prepared documents and a justified request.
"They granted two years according to our request, supported by documents. This was not blind luck but thoughtful work."
"For Nomadi Digitali the times for passing all stages are significantly shorter than, for example, for Lavoro Autonomo. This again confirms that Italy is truly interested in smart and independent immigrants!"
After arrival: first steps in Italy
Submit for residence permit via post (within 8 days)
Send the document kit (KIT) via Poste Italiane. Get the receipt (ricevuta) and the date for the Questura appointment.
Fingerprinting at the Questura
Submit fingerprints. The Questura in Milan is the fastest and most automated. In other cities timelines are unpredictable.
Codice Fiscale
Tax code. By law DN receives it when applying at the Questura. Not needed before arrival in Italy.
Register residency (Residenza)
Register at the local municipality (Comune). This starts the clock for 5 years to long-term residence and 10 years to citizenship.
Choose a family doctor (medico di base)
A mandatory step after submitting documents for the residence permit.
Receive the plastic permesso card
By law 30-40 days after fingerprinting. In practice: in Milan — on time, in other cities — there may be months of delay.
"In Italy there is often a circular problem: the tax office asks for the Permesso to get the Codice Fiscale, which is NOT issued without the Codice Fiscale."
Context: By law DN should receive the Codice Fiscale when applying at the Questura, but in practice there are delays
CHOOSING A CITY
Each Questura works differently. Milan’s is fast and automated. In other cities your file might be put on a shelf for months. Choose the province strategically.
Taxes and financial model
VISA ≠ TAX REGIME
This is the most common misconception. The visa grants the right to live and work remotely, but taxes are determined by your actual situation: residency, type of income, work structure.
"Obtaining a residence permit does not automatically mean paying taxes — it has always been like that. A residence permit is the right to live. Tax residency is the fact of living 183+ days and having the 'center of interests' in the country."
Forfettario regime (for holders of Partita IVA)
| Period | Income tax | INPS (social contributions) | Total from turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 5 years | 5% | ~26% (on 76% of income) | ~18-25% |
| After 5 years | 15% | ~26% | ~28-35% |
"You pay 5% on income, but wait before celebrating... and 25-27% you pay as social insurance contributions. So you don’t pay 5% but all ~30% of your income."
Context: Many focus only on the 5% rate, forgetting about INPS
FORFETTARIO — A PENSION TRAP
When retiring in Italy under the Forfettario regime you will receive a pension only for 7 months a year. INPS will say: “You didn’t earn the rest.”
Four work models for DN
Remote employee
The employer handles payroll, withholdings, compliance. You cannot use forfettario.
Contractor + Partita IVA
Independent contractor. You can use forfettario (5% for the first 5 years). You need to issue electronic invoices (fattura elettronica).
EOR (Employer of Record)
An intermediary employer in Italy. A bridging solution for the transition.
Own business
Full transition to an Italian sole proprietorship (Partita IVA) or SRL.
Suspension of the Russia–Italy tax treaty
DOUBLE TAXATION
The Agreement on the avoidance of double taxation between Russia and Italy has been suspended since August 2023 (Presidential Decree No. 585). Income from Russia for a non-resident of Russia is taxed at 20% at source + Italian taxes. The total burden can reach 83%.
"Forfettario is tied to Partita IVA — i.e. you are not an employee but an independent contractor. An employed person does not 'switch to forfettario' by choice — it's a different nature of income."
Moving with family
Since December 2024, classic family reunification requires 2+ years of residence in Italy. For recent arrivals a different procedure is used — the D visa “al seguito” (accompanying family).
al seguito process
Main applicant receives Visa D
DN or another type. Enters Italy within 180 days.
Online request for Nulla Osta al seguito
Submitted from Italy. Requires SPID or CIE (Italian digital ID) — without help from an Italian resident it cannot be submitted.
Obtaining the Nulla Osta
Time: 3-6 months depending on the prefecture.
The family applies for Visa D at the consulate
After the Nulla Osta is ready. A visa at the Russian consulate: from 3 days to 1 month.
FAMILY RIGHTS
A residence permit for family reasons (permesso per motivi familiari) grants the full range of rights: work, opening a sole proprietorship and SRL. The family is not limited by the status of the main applicant.
Residence permit renewal
RENEWAL IS NOT A FORMALITY
You must confirm: declared and paid income in Italy, valid insurance, stable housing, absence of violations. Prepare for renewal from day one.
What is needed for renewal
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Declared income
Minimum ~25,000-28,000 EUR/year, confirmed by tax documents
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Taxes paid
Proof of tax payments in Italy
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Valid insurance
Health insurance with coverage from 30,000 EUR
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Housing
Stable lease agreement. Short-term rentals may be problematic
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No violations
Clean administrative record
Two ways to show income
- Open a Partita IVA in Italy — work and pay taxes through an Italian sole proprietorship
- Declare foreign income — file an Italian tax return reporting foreign income
"If declaring income retroactively is still possible, opening a sole proprietorship certainly isn’t!"
Context: Open a Partita IVA before the end of the year if you plan to show Italian income for renewal
Main mistakes
- Only a bank statement instead of tax documents — the consulate will not accept it
- Not starting diploma legalization in time — apostille + translation + DDV take weeks/months
- Forgot the employer letter about criminal record — mandatory document in the template
- Thinking DN is only for IT — it suits any remote profession
- Confusing the visa with the tax regime — the visa does not determine your taxes
- Believing forfettario applies to employees — it is only for Partita IVA holders
- Counting on converting DN to another residence permit — conversion is not provided by law
- Thinking renewal is a formality — documented income and taxes are required
- “Living quietly” without a tax trail — contradicts the DN status
- Planning to “figure out conversion later” — prepare for this from day one
"The most common mistake isn’t in the papers but in the model: people try to live as an employee, pay as a contractor and obtain status 'as a tourist'. That doesn’t work."
"Be extremely careful when choosing a commercialista. There are many amateurs in this market. The cost of a mistake is not a fine, but a real risk of losing the residence permit."
DN vs Lavoro Autonomo: a fair comparison
| Criterion | Digital Nomad | Lavoro Autonomo |
|---|---|---|
| Document assembly | Everything in country of residence | Partly in Italy (Nulla Osta) |
| Quotas | No (art. 27 TUI) | Yes (art. 26, Decreto Flussi, 700 places) |
| Minimum income | ~28,000-32,000 EUR/year | ~8,400-8,500 EUR/year |
| Processing speed | Weeks — months | Months (longer) |
| Annual taxes (min.) | ~6,000-8,000 EUR | ~1,800-3,500 EUR |
| State health insurance | No (private only) | Yes (free) |
| Working for Italian clients | Restricted (first 5 years) | No restrictions |
| Conversion to other residence permit | Not provided | Any type |
| Path to long-term residence | Unclear | Clear (5 years) |
| Path to citizenship | Unclear | Clear (10 years) |
| Residence permit duration | 1 year (sometimes 2) | 1 year, then 2-year renewals |
| Better for | Quick entry, exploration, travel | Long-term residence, business |
"Digital nomad — you’re here temporarily, remember that... Lavoro Autonomo — you are in Italy 'for good'."
Strategy: how to use DN correctly
"Digital Nomad — not about work and not about a home. It’s more about travel and legitimizing and legalizing income."
DN is an instrument for fast entry into Italy. It is ideal for those who want to:
- Quickly legalize in Italy without waiting for quotas and Nulla Osta
- Explore the country — choose a city, understand the market, settle daily life
- Travel around Europe with an Italian residence permit
- Start building a tax and document trail for future conversion
DN as a stepping stone to Lavoro Autonomo
STRATEGIC APPROACH
Although by law conversion from DN to another type of residence permit is not provided, you can simultaneously prepare documents to apply for Lavoro Autonomo through the consulate. To do this you must start preparing in advance — build your documentary and tax trail from day one.
"By law there is no conversion for digital nomads, but if needed, it can be done — you must prepare for it long in advance. Grounds and appropriate documents are required."
Practical recommendations
Recent changes 2024-2025
Official launch of the DN visa
Law No. 25 of 2022 became operational. The list of documents was published by the Consulate in Moscow in June 2024. The first visa was issued in September 2024.
December: change to family reunification rules
Classic family reunification now requires 2+ years of residence. For newcomers: Visa D “al seguito”.
Tightening Lavoro Autonomo, easing DN
Questuras have increased document checks for LA, intentionally lengthening processing times. DN approvals are significantly faster.
November: Schengen visa restrictions for Russians
Implementing Decision C(2025) 7552: multiple-entry visas for Russians are effectively canceled. Only single-entry visas. Increased demand for residence permits, including DN.
"They calmly accept and approve documents for Italy’s Digital Nomad, for some literally within a month."
Context: February 2025 — against the background of tightening for Lavoro Autonomo