Move to Italy

Art, food and regional character in every town square

Italy has a digital nomad and remote worker visa (since April 2024) for highly qualified workers, plus an elective residence visa for people living on pensions or passive income. Each consulate applies the rules itself and paperwork is heavy: you need a registered lease and must request a residence permit from the local police immigration office within 8 working days of arrival.

Routes we checked
7
Digital nomad visa
Yes
Language
Italian
Currency
EUR
Last checked
30 October 2026

Digital nomad visaWork permitStudent visaFreelancer and self-employedPassive income visaInvestment and golden visa

Ways to live in Italy

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →

Digital nomad and remote worker visa

For highly qualified freelancers and employees working remotely for clients or employers, without a work-permit quota.

What you need
Income of about €24,780 a year or more (some consulates ask for more), a 3-year degree or 5 years of relevant experience, and at least 6 months in the remote role. Also: health insurance valid in Italy and a registered lease or property deed; employees need pay at least at the national collective-agreement rate.
Income
from about $2,400 a month
How long
Residence permit up to 1 year, renewable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€116 visa fee, plus residence-permit fees
Processing time
Up to 120 days for freelancers, up to 30 days for remote employees
How to apply
Only from abroad, at the Italian consulate for where you live; then request the residence permit from the local police immigration office within 8 working days of arrival
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, EU long-term residence after 5 years

Official page

Work permit Work permits →

EU Blue Card (EU work permit for qualified specialists)

For highly qualified employees with an Italian job offer. Not subject to the annual work quotas.

What you need
Job contract or binding offer for highly qualified work, a higher-education degree of at least 3 years or the qualifications of a regulated profession, and a salary above the national threshold. The employer first obtains work clearance (nulla osta) from the immigration desk of the prefecture.
How long
2 years with a permanent contract; otherwise contract length plus 3 months
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Employer applies in Italy; then a work visa at the consulate and the permit from the police after arrival
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
EU long-term residence after 5 years in the EU on a Blue Card, at least 2 of them in Italy

Official page

Work visa for employment (annual quotas)

Standard route for hired employees. Places are limited by the yearly entry quota decree (decreto flussi).

What you need
An Italian employer requests work clearance (nulla osta) within the quota; you then apply for the visa with the clearance, the residence-and-work contract and proof of accommodation.
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Employer applies to the immigration desk of the prefecture; visa appointment through the Prenot@mi portal
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, EU long-term residence after 5 years of legal residence

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Study visa for university enrolment

For non-EU students admitted to an Italian university. Leads to a study residence permit that also allows part-time work.

What you need
Pre-enrolment through the Universitaly portal, then a national (type D) visa. You must show at least €10,179.85 a year for living costs plus a return ticket; for multi-year courses, funds for the first year are enough. Bank guarantees are not accepted.
Savings
about $11,800
How long
Residence permit for the length of the course, renewed yearly
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
At the Italian consulate where you live; within 8 working days of arrival, apply for the residence permit at the local police immigration office
Path to permanent residence
After graduating you can switch to a work permit

Official page

Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →

Self-employment visa (lavoro autonomo)

For freelancers, professionals and business owners who will work for themselves in Italy.

What you need
Clearance (nulla osta) from the police headquarters (Questura) of the city where you will live, income above the health-contribution exemption level (€8,400 a year), and suitable housing. Entrepreneurs also need a Chamber of Commerce statement on the resources the business needs and must show those funds.
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Get the clearance in Italy (often via a representative), then apply at the consulate where you live
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, EU long-term residence after 5 years of legal residence

Official page

Passive income visa Passive income visas →

Elective residence visa

For people moving to Italy who live on pensions, annuities, property or investment income. Work is not allowed.

What you need
Stable passive income (not from work) of about €31,000 a year or more; consulates may ask for more. Also: a registered lease or property in Italy and international health insurance for the whole stay.
Income
from about $3,000 a month
How long
Residence permit, renewable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€116 visa fee
Processing time
Up to 90 days
How to apply
At the Italian consulate for where you live; then the residence permit at the local police immigration office
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, EU long-term residence after 5 years

Official page

Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →

Investor Visa for Italy

Residence for people who invest in Italian bonds or companies or make a large donation. Buying property does not qualify.

What you need
One of: €2 million in Italian government bonds; €500,000 in an Italian company; €250,000 in an innovative start-up on the official register; or a €1 million donation to a public-interest project (culture, education, research, heritage). Suspended for citizens of Russia and Belarus.
Savings
about $290,000
How long
2 years, then renewable for 3 years at a time while the investment is kept
Renewable
Yes
How to apply
Online through investorvisa.mise.gov.it for clearance from the Investor Visa committee, then a visa at the consulate
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes, EU long-term residence after 5 years of legal residence

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat$400
One-bedroom flat$640
Two-bedroom flat$1,060
Bills$150
Typical local salary$2,800

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Food, family and the evening passeggiata shape a life focused on enjoying the everyday. Milan suits careers and design, Rome and Florence offer history at every turn, and many settle in Puglia, Sicily or small towns for slower, cheaper living.

Day to day

High-speed trains link major cities, while rural areas often need a car. The public health system covers residents, with quality varying by region. Cards are common but cash still matters in small towns, and Italian is needed for most things.

Trade-offs

Bureaucracy is famously slow and varies between offices. Job opportunities and salaries are limited, especially in the south. Summers are very hot, and big cities get crowded with tourists.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Italy have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. Italy offers: Digital nomad and remote worker visa.

How can I move to Italy?

The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Passive income visa, Investment and golden visa.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Italy were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Italy were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

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