Italy digital nomad visa and remote workers
Italy has a visa for highly skilled remote workers since April 2024. It lets a non-EU professional live in Italy while working for a foreign company. It does not solve the employer side: once someone works from Italy for months, Italian payroll, tax and social security rules usually apply.
Who qualifies
- Highly qualified work. A university degree, a recognised professional qualification, or several years of relevant experience.
- Minimum income. At least three times the threshold for exemption from healthcare co-payments, roughly €28,000 gross a year.
- Remote work for a foreign client or employer, employed or self-employed, with at least six months of prior remote work experience.
- Health insurance and housing for the whole stay, and a clean criminal record.
The visa is issued by the Italian consulate in the country of residence. After arrival the worker requests the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within eight days. Spouse and children can join through family reunification.
Tax and social security
A remote worker who stays in Italy more than 183 days a year is normally tax resident in Italy and pays Italian income tax on the salary. Social security also follows the place of work, unless a bilateral agreement or an EU A1 certificate says otherwise. A foreign employer that pays someone living in Italy has Italian withholding and contribution duties, even without an office here.
Digital nomad visa or Employer of Record?
| Nomad visa, foreign payroll | Employed in Italy through an EOR | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Non-EU, highly skilled, income threshold | Anyone, including EU citizens and Italians |
| Italian payroll and tax | Often still due, left to the employer or the worker | Done by us every month |
| Contract | Foreign contract | Italian contract under a CCNL |
| Company risk | Unregistered employer, possible permanent establishment | We are the legal employer in Italy |
| Permit | Nomad visa | Work visa or EU Blue Card, with us as sponsor |
Many companies combine the two: the person moves on the visa that fits, and we employ them in Italy so payroll, tax and benefits are right from day one. For employees who need a sponsor, see work visas and the EU Blue Card.
Questions we get
Can a US employee simply work from Italy for a year?
Not without a visa, and not without Italian payroll once they live here. Trips under 90 days in the Schengen area are a different case.
Does the visa allow work for Italian clients?
It is meant for foreign clients or employers. Working mainly for Italian clients needs another permit.
How much does it cost to employ a remote worker in Italy?
The gross salary plus employer contributions, 13th month and TFR, plus our fee of €250 per month. See the cost of an employee in Italy.