Italy is making it easier for skilled workers from outside the European Union to move there with a new amendment to Article 27 of the Immigration Act. This change is coming about due to the increasing popularity of remote work, which has surged during the Covid-19 pandemic. Italy is embracing this trend by introducing the Digital Nomad Visa.
So, what exactly is the Digital Nomad Visa? It’s a type of visa designed for workers who can do their jobs remotely. They aren’t tied to physical office spaces, so they’re free to travel and work from anywhere they choose. As long as they have an internet connection, they can communicate with clients and colleagues without any issues.
This trend of remote work is growing rapidly worldwide. To accommodate this, governments are creating new legal frameworks to welcome digital nomads. These frameworks include innovative visas that permit digital nomads to live and work in foreign countries.
Thanks to these regulations, digital nomads can legally work and reside in foreign countries while following the labor and immigration laws of their host nation. This opens up exciting opportunities for those who want to explore different parts of the world while continuing their careers.
Are you interested in being a Digital Nomad in Italy? Well, good news! The Italian Government has created a special visa just for people like you. They introduced the Digital Nomad Visa through a Decree published on January 27th, 2022, which later became law in March 2022. This decree, known as Decreto Sostegni ter, aims to help companies impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here’s how it works: Article 6-quinquiens modifies Decree Law 286 from July 25th, 1998, also known as the Unique Immigration Text. It adds a new paragraph called q-bis to Article 27, specifically for digital nomads and remote workers from outside the European Union.
To qualify for this visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a citizen of a non-EU country because EU citizens don’t need this visa.
- You should fall into the category of highly skilled workers.
- You must be able to work remotely using technology.
- You can work either as a freelancer or for a company based outside Italy.
It’s important to note that not all workers can benefit from this visa. For example, if your job requires you to be physically present at your employer’s location, you won’t qualify. However, you can explore other types of Italian visas if that’s the case.
To acquire an Italian Digital Nomad Visa, certain specific details must be considered. These details are outlined in Article 6-quinquies of Decree Law 4, dated January 27th, 2022, which was later enacted into Law 25 on March 28th, 2022.
According to this law, applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa are exempted from the requirement of obtaining a “nulla osta,” which is a prior authorization typically issued by the Ministry of Labour for other types of visas. This exemption streamlines the application process and reduces processing time for the Digital Nomad Visa.
Moreover, an additional benefit of the Italian Digital Nomad Visa is that applicants are not subject to the limitations imposed by the Flow Decree (Decreto Flussi), which restricts the number of foreigners eligible to apply for visas.
Once granted, the residency permit, which is the official document allowing foreigners to reside in Italy for a specific period, will be valid for a maximum duration of one year.
Regarding further requirements, as outlined in Article 6-quinquies of the aforementioned law, aspiring Digital Nomads seeking an Italian Visa must provide proof of medical insurance that covers all potential health risks during their stay in Italy. Additionally, they must adhere to all national tax and social security regulations.
Italy is working on a new visa called the Digital Nomad Visa. This visa is for people who work remotely and don’t need to be in a specific place to do their job. But right now, you can’t apply for it yet.
The Italian government announced the Digital Nomad Visa, but they haven’t finished all the rules for it. They were supposed to release more details within 30 days after announcing it. These details would explain how to apply and what you need to qualify for the visa.
But as of now, they haven’t given any updates about when they’ll finish these rules. So, Italian Consulates in other countries can’t accept applications for the Digital Nomad Visa yet.
The new rules will cover things like:
- How to apply for the visa
- What you need to get the visa
- Who can apply for it
- How much money you need to make
- How they’ll check if your work is legitimate
The Digital Nomad Visa is meant for freelancers or people who work for companies outside of Italy. It’s a way for Italy to welcome these kinds of workers who can work from anywhere. Before this visa, Italy didn’t have a specific visa for digital nomads.
This visa comes with some benefits. For example, it lets you bypass certain limits and requirements that other visas have. It’s a good option for people who want to enjoy Italy’s tax benefits for foreigners.