On March 28, 2022, the Italian Parliament approved and signed into law a new Visa scheme for digital nomads and remote workers from outside the European Union (EU) who want to enter Italy to live and work remotely.

The new rules are enacted by the art. 6-quinques of Law n. 25/2022 converting Decree Law n. 4/2022 (Decreto Sostegni-ter). The implementing provisions will be transposed into Italian Consolidated Immigration Law (art. 27 del TU Immigrazione DLGS 286/1998).

The regulation is aimed at “citizens of a third country who carry out highly qualified work activities through the use of technological tools that allow them to work remotely, either autonomously or for a company, including those not resident in the territory of the Italian State”. Qualified foreign citizens from outside the EU will be allowed to live and work in Italy simply by applying for a Digital Nomad Visa at an Italian embassy or consulate in their countries of origin. Those permits will be valid for up to one year.

The Digital Nomad Visa will be issued outside the annual entry quotas for foreign workers set by the Prime Ministerial Decree known as “Decreto Flussi” (pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 286 of 1998 – Consolidated Immigration Law) enacted annually by the Government.

The main innovation introduced by the new law is the fact that applicants will not have to apply for work authorization (“Nulla Osta”) generally required in all the other procedures for entering Italian territory for work purposes.

Digital Nomads will be obliged to have a comprehensive health insurance covering all risks in Italy, to comply with tax and social security provision.

A further decree of the relevant Ministries shall complete the regulation, setting specific guidelines on the application procedure, the requirements for issuing the residence permits and the categories of workers that will be affected. It is also expected to specify the procedures for checking the work activities carried on by applicants to be compliant with the definition of “digital nomad”, the minimum income thresholds for applicants/family units and procedures for the new stay permit renewal process.