Italy's €28,000 Nomad Visa Gets Formal Rules

Italy’s Digital Nomad/Remote Worker Visa now has a clear legal home, after a joint ministerial decree published on April 13, 2026 locked the program into Article 27-quater of the Immigration Code. It’s still a solid route for non-EU remote workers and honestly, the details are finally less fuzzy, with consular filing rules, income checks and INPS-linked calculations now spelled out.

The headline number is €28,000 a year from non-Italian sources for the main applicant, plus proof of a post-secondary degree or three years of specialized experience and at least six consecutive months of remote work in the same field. That’s the real gatekeeper. Family members can join on co-terminous permits, though the income bar rises by €825 a month for a spouse and €412.50 for each child, which, surprisingly, makes family moves pricier than a solo stay.

Who it affects

This is aimed at digital nomads, mid-career specialists and expats who want to stay in Italy beyond the usual 90-day tourist limit. It also matters for employers, because staff can live in Italy without local payroll if the contract stays with an overseas entity, though PE risk and social-security treatment still need checking. Not simple.

What to do

Applicants need comprehensive health insurance, a clean police record from the last five years and documents showing income from remote work, like contracts, bank statements or tax returns. After arrival, register with the municipality and apply for the permesso di soggiorno within 8 days, then keep an eye on renewals, since the permit starts at 1 year and can be renewed.

• 5 years to EU long-term residence eligibility.
• 2 years before switching into standard work or self-employment permits.
• A 50% tax reduction under Italy’s impatriate regime for 5 years.

Read our full Italy guide for the complete picture and check visa updates for more fast-moving nomad news.