Digital Nomad Visa Italy: My Application Experience
Since 2012, I’ve wanted to live in Rome, Italy. Through all the life I’ve lived in the decade since then – changing careers, getting married, getting divorced, getting my Masters degree – that desire never faltered. In 2022, Italy’s digital nomad visa was announced.
But then? Crickets. It wasn’t until April 2024 that the visa officially launched. And in January 2025, I decided to apply for it. Here I sit, typing this up in August 2025. My official visa appointment at the Chicago consulate is only a couple weeks away.
In this post I’m breaking down my experience so far, so you have a sense of what to expect if you’re also planning to apply for the Italian digital nomad visa.
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How can I live in Italy as a digital nomad?
The reality is, you don’t have to have a visa to live in Italy as a digital nomad. If you’re a US citizen wanting to spend a few months in Italy, you qualify to do so on the standard 90-day ‘tourist visa.’
You can conduct some of your typical, non-Italy based business remotely while in Italy. There are some specific terms regarding living in and working from Italy on a tourist visa that you should do further research on and be aware of before going all in on this, though.
If you’re living a fully nomadic lifestyle, spending only a few weeks or months in each destination, then you really don’t need to go through the hassle of applying for a digital nomad visa.
Well then, who is the digital nomad visa for?
The reason I chose to formally apply for the digital nomad visa is because I don’t want to be restricted to only spending 90 days within the country of Italy and the broader Schengen zone.
For those who, like me, know you want to spend more time in one specific destination where you can build a life and some real community you might want to consider a long-term visa.
How hard is it to get a nomad visa in Italy?
Deciding to pursue the digital nomad visa is only one, humble step in the direction of your dreams. The list of qualifications, and methods for proving these, is long.
Formal requirements
There’s a required minimum income requirement, and you’ll need to prove that you’re a ‘highly skilled worker.’ This is not a visa for anyone who comes equipped with a laptop and some longing.
You’ll need to be able to prove that you earn income either as a digital freelancer or remote employee, that you’ve done this work for a specific about of time and that you are qualified to do so (usually by sharing your educational credentials).
For the complete list of requirements, you’ll want to search based on your local consulate. For example, here are the requirements for this visa according to the New York consulate.
While they are all fairly similar, there may be some distinct nuances from consulate to consulate so it’s important to refer to the directions for the consulate in your jurisdiction.
This is especially important for those applying from other countries, as the US requirements may be significantly different.
Putting the cart before the horse
One of the biggest hangups for folks pursuing the digital nomad visa for Italy is the requirement to secure a minimum 12-month, registered lease before you even show up for your official visa appointment.
That’s right, without even knowing whether or not you’ll be approved for the visa you’ve got to line up a 1-year lease. Airbnb rentals, hotel bookings, even a stay with friends or family do NOT count.
How do you do this, you might ask? Mhm. Good question.
Some who have applied have actually gone in person to work with local real estate agencies to find their apartment and secure a lease.
Some have been taking trips back and forth to Italy and built up a rapport with a previous renter who then agreed to register a 12-month lease for them.
Others already own property in Italy. Still others, like myself, are conducting remote apartment searches. It’s not impossible. But it isn’t easy, either.
Case-by-case discretion
Because this visa is still so new, it seems a lot of the final decision depends on who you talk to at which consulate.
This certainly may not always feel fair, but it is the situation for now at least as everyone is still learning and exploring the nuances of this particular visa type.
A lengthy timeline
A move abroad is no simple feat, so it makes sense that the process takes time. Take me, for example. I decided to apply in January. I secured my consulate appointment in April, for mid-August.
If all goes well my ideal move will occur in October or November. That’s practically a year from decision to move!
Part of what takes so long, for many, is getting an appointment at your local consulate. These can be booked up months in advance. It’s important to check frequently for new slots to become available, which are usually released at midnight Rome time.
Of course, finding an apartment can also take some time. Especially if you’re also looking in a competitive rental market like I am.
Once you have your visa appointment, the consulate has approximately 90-120 days to process your request.
I’ve heard of a couple folks being granted the visa on the spot (highly unusual), and others who are still waiting to hear months later. It’s unpredictable and you sort of just have to be prepared to roll with it.
Then, once you arrive in Italy you need to go through a whole other part of the process within 8 days of your arrival. This process will ultimately lead you to securing your residency card.
However, typically these appointments are scheduled for 5+ months after your arrival.
By the time most people get their residency card, it’s already time to renew it… And without a residency card? You can’t really travel outside of Italy (once your initial 90 days are up) except to go directly back and forth from your home country.
All this to say, you have to really want this.
My experience pursuing the Italian digital nomad visa so far
I have my visa appointment at the Chicago consulate in a couple weeks. As of this exact moment, I’m still searching for an apartment. Will I have one in time? I don’t know. Will I get conditionally approved if not? I don’t know.
That has been one of the toughest parts of this process for me.
I can only control what I can control. So, I’m getting all the rest of my paperwork in order and praying this works out.
When I know more, I’ll add updates here. Or, you can subscribe to my newsletter (in the sidebar) because I will for sure be sharing updates there.
If you decide to go through this process yourself, know that there’s a lot to be done as you wait for key milestones. I started learning Italian back in January (before I’d even decided to move this year, because I knew I’d move someday).
I’ve been meeting 1:1 with my Roman Italian tutor twice a week using Preply, and I’m loving it even though it’s challenging!
Additional considerations
If you’re debating applying for the Italian digital nomad visa here are some important things to consider:
Can a Italy digital nomad visa lead to citizenship?
Yes! After 5 years of residency, you could apply for permanent residency. After 10 years of total residency, you could apply for citizenship. During those first 5 years though, you would need to not travel outside of Italy for more than 10 months total.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Italy?
Yes! This is part of the incentive for Italy to offer this visa. It’s important to speak with an Italian tax accountant to best understand your options and obligations. There are some tax incentives you may be eligible for.
What’s next?
Watch this space! Once I have more information and have completed my own visa appointment I’ll update this post.
If you also want to apply for Italy’s digital nomad visa, start planning now. When would you like to move? What part of Italy would you like to move to? Start doing your research now and plan your timeline accordingly.
Buona fortuna!
