Italy has become the latest European country to introduce the Digital Nomad Visa, permitting foreigners to work remotely from this country for companies located outside the country.
The signing of the program into law was made in March 2022 by the Italian government, however, applications opened on April 5, two years later, VisaGuide.World reports.
Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa is managed under Article 27 of the immigration code, meaning that it’s aimed at attracting highly skilled workers.
Those interested in this scheme are required to earn at least €28,000(£23,992.50) per year and have health insurance and accommodation arranged for the period they plan to remain in Italy. Besides, applicants should also ensure that they haven’t been found guilty of a crime in the past five years.
Italy to Attract Large Number of American Digital Nomads
The introduction of this program is expected to attract a large number of citizens from the United States, among others.
The US Embassy and Consulates in Italy through a statement previously revealed that nearly six million American tourists visited Italy in 2023.
Italian-style, everything happens slowly. Now there is a pipeline of people waiting just to file the application. It’s been a long-awaited visa.
Surge in American Residents Living in Italy in Past Few Years
The number of citizens from the US registering to live in Italy marked a notable increase in the past few years. Based on the figures from the Italian National Institute of Statistics, the number increased from 3,951 registered in 2019 to a total of 6,813 in 2022, marking a 42 per cent increase in just four years.
For a period from 2019 to 2023, the number of US citizens living in Tuscany increased by six per cent from 2,193 to 2,323, according to the Institute’s foreign census data.
The Digital Nomad Visa of Italy permits foreigners to legally work in the country for a period of up to a year. It can be renewed annually.
According to the Italian government, a digital nomad is a citizen of non-EU states “who carries out a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools capable of allowing them to work remotely, both as a worker self-employed or as a collaborator or employee of a company even if not resident in Italy.”
Among the benefits of Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa is that there is little proven experience needed for interested persons.
Besides, no clearances are needed from Italy and there is no immigration quota applicable. Internationals interested in this program can have access to the permanent EU residence card and the possibility of being employed by a foreign country.
However, some of the concerns from this program are that there is no free healthcare and no clarity on visa conversion to other categories. Furthermore, there is higher income in comparison to other visas.