After months of uncertainty, Italian legislators have officially announced that digital nomads will now be able to work legally in the country. On March 28 2022, the new visa for remote workers was authorized and signed into law, putting an end to suspicions that it had been removed from a copy of the decree that had been seen earlier in the year.
As you can expect, the news has created quite a stir among the rising number of professionals who have chosen to remain away from their traditional offices in order to cope with the epidemic. Where better to find a way to combine your online life with going out into the beautiful piazzas, rolling hills, and blue coastlines of Italy?
“Nomadi digitali,” or, to put it another way, those “who carry out highly qualified work activities through the use of technological tools that allow them to work remotely, autonomously, or for a company that is not resident in the territory of the Italian state,” are those who are not from the European Union.
Because non-EU citizens are presently only permitted to stay in Italy for a maximum of 90 days without a visa, it is believed that this option would make it simpler for individuals to pursue their Italian goals on a more permanent basis.
Up to this point, what do we understand about Italy’s digital nomad visa?
The Italian financial newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore has provided a broad definition of what it means to be a “highly qualified” worker, stating that anybody may qualify. According to the article, this group comprises “everyone from university professors to circus personnel, mariners, and professional nurses.”
There seems to be no restriction on the number of permits awarded yearly, unlike other types of visas issued under Italy’s “decreto flussi” (foreign workers’ quota), which does apply to other types of visas.
Luca Carabetta, a member of the Five Star Movement who has advocated for the digital nomad visa, has said that it will be valid for one year in the first instance and that it may be extended to close family members.
It also seems to be accompanied with a minimum income requirement, but the exact number has not yet been determined.
According to Carabetta, the availability of proper housing, a sufficient wage, health insurance, and a clean criminal record are all requirements for remote workers, according to the local newspaper.
The Italian government is now working on a new draft to implement the legislation, so prospective digital nomads may have to wait a little longer for complete information.
Italy’s visa policies for remote workers are now in effect.
But it is still feasible to relocate as a freelancer or remote worker, even if you do not qualify for the unique category that other countries such as Portugal, Malta, and other European countries enjoy.
Meanwhile, as we wait for additional clarification, here is a summary of the visa alternatives that are presently available for long-term travel to the countries in question.
A visa for self-employment
This is the permission that the vast majority of non-EU freelancers presently apply for when wishing to relocate to Italy from another country. Obtaining approval, on the other hand, is a another story. Only 500 of these visas will be available in 2022, the same number as in prior years.
A few administrative roadblocks exist as well, such as the need to be registered with the proper professional organization for your field of employment, despite the fact that they are less widespread outside of Italy.
If you are granted a self-employment visa, it is valid for an initial duration of two years after you are granted it.
Visa for intra-company travel
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) work permit is an option for those who have a solid business case. It is also not necessary to work for a large corporation; even a tiny firm in the United States or the United Kingdom may establish an Italian office, according to a prominent immigration adviser who spoke to the local media.
This visa is valid for five years and there is no limit on the number of visas that may be issued by the Italian government.
However, it may be difficult to convince your employer that it is financially beneficial, since they will be required to invest at least €20,000 in the intra-company to demonstrate its legitimacy and pay taxes. If you have a group of coworkers who share your enthusiasm for Italy, you may be able to work together to make the case.
The EU Blue Card is a piece of identification that allows you to travel freely across the EU.
This kind of visa, which was introduced by the EU, may be useful for people who are employed by an Italian firm. Again, there are no quotas, but there are a number of regulations that must be followed.
The Blue Card is intended for highly qualified non-EU citizens who have finished a three-year university degree and earn a minimum income of €24,789.93. They must also have a minimum salary of €24,789.93. In addition to this onerous requirement for potential employees, the Italian firm must have at least €50,000 in cash on hand to demonstrate that it is capable of hiring a foreign employee.
If you can get over these hurdles, the card should make it simpler to travel within the European Union. You are initially restricted to working from the nation in which the firm for which you are employed is based. In the case of a move from another EU nation to Italy in order to work for an Italian firm, you may apply for the Blue Card after you have spent 18 months in your previous country and after one month of being in Italy.
Those wishing to be “digitali nomads” in the lovely country will find that none of these options are uncomplicated, so it’s no surprise that many are on tenterhooks as they await more details on the new permission.