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For non-European Union residents dreaming of living la dolce vita—the sweet life—in Italy, that dream will become easier to reach thanks to the country’s newly-approved digital nomad Visa.
The Italian government voted the digital nomad visa into law on March 28, joining the ranks of several other nations that have developed similar programs throughout the last two years, hoping to attract remote workers as a replacement—or supplement—to tourists.
The new law will allow remote workers who don’t live in the European Union to spend a year living in Italy, but only those who are “highly qualified” will be awarded visas. The exact requirements of what will be considered “highly qualified” have yet to be defined. Still, some Italian officials have suggested that there may be a minimum income requirement for applicants to be successful.
“We are happy to have approved the proposal, but we are also aware of the next steps. The government has to work on a new bill to implement the law, defining all the procedures and details,” Italian MP Luca Carabetta, a proponent of the digital nomad visa, told The Local.
“Requirements for the remote worker are the availability of suitable accommodation, adequate income, health insurance, and a clean criminal record,” he added.
Beyond the exact visa qualifications and application process, remote workers are also eager to know whether the new digital nomad visa will allow them to bring their families and eventually apply for extensions to stay longer than a year.
While some visa options already exist for non-EU remote workers looking to live in Italy—like the self-employment Visa, intra-company Visa, and the EU Blue Card—the new digital nomad Visa will make the process much easier, especially for freelancers.
Other European countries already welcoming remote workers through special visa programs include Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
Jessica is a freelance journalist on a quest to see and experience everything our gorgeous planet offers and share her experiences with her fellow travelers. Jessica has written for several world-class Travel Magazines.
