Italy digital nomad visa for founders: can you run your own company?
Can a founder run their own company on Italy's digital nomad visa? Yes. The decree covers highly qualified people working remotely either self-employed ("in via autonoma") or for a company, and defines a "digital nomad" as a foreigner doing self-employed work remotely. Consulates run a separate digital nomad track for the self-employed. Digital nomads must also register for an Italian VAT number (partita IVA). Local work is allowed. Income needed: At least 3 x the minimum income level for exemption from public healthcare charges, per year, from lawful sources. Consulates describe the base as about €8,500 (so the threshold is three times that); the Ottawa embassy states €24,780 and the Boston consulate €24,789 as the threshold. Proven with tax returns, client invoices, payslips or bank statements.
Italy's digital nomad visa, from the official pages
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme | Italy's national (type D) visa for digital nomads and remote workers is for highly qualified people who work remotely using technology. Applicants also need at least six months' prior experience in the work. | ambsingapore.esteri.it |
| Own company | Translated from Italian: a "digital nomad" is defined as a foreigner who does self-employed work using technology that lets them work remotely. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
| Local work | Translated from Italian: the decree applies to highly qualified people working remotely, self-employed or for a company "also not resident" in Italy, which means Italian-based companies are not excluded. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
| Income | Translated from Italian: minimum annual income from lawful sources of at least three times the minimum level for exemption from public healthcare charges. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
| Income | The Italian Consulate General in London gives the base as €8,500, so applicants need at least triple that, and asks self-employed applicants for tax returns and similar proof. | conslondra.esteri.it |
| Stay | Translated from Italian: the residence permit is issued for no more than one year and can be renewed every year if the conditions and requirements still apply. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
| Fee | The Italian Embassy in Singapore charges the equivalent of €116 in consular fees for this visa. | ambsingapore.esteri.it |
| Processing time | Apply at least 15 days before travel. Processing can take up to 90 days for remote workers and 120 days for digital nomads (Italian Embassy in Singapore). | ambsingapore.esteri.it |
| How to apply | Apply for the visa at the Italian embassy or consulate covering where you live, in person. Translated from Italian: once in Italy, request the residence permit at the police headquarters (questura) of your province within eight working days of entry. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
| Health insurance | Translated from Italian: you need health insurance covering medical care and hospital stays, valid in Italy for the whole stay. Suitable accommodation and six months' prior experience are also required. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
| Family | Translated from Italian: family reunification is allowed for the holder's spouse and children, under the usual reunification rules. Family members get a family permit lasting as long as the worker's. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
| Tax | Translated from Italian: the police issue an Italian tax code with the permit and notify the Revenue Agency, and digital nomads must also apply for an Italian VAT number (partita IVA). The permit can be revoked if tax and social security rules are not followed. | gazzettaufficiale.it |
Questions founders ask about Italy
- Can I run my own company on the Italy digital nomad visa?
- Yes. The decree covers highly qualified people working remotely either self-employed ("in via autonoma") or for a company, and defines a "digital nomad" as a foreigner doing self-employed work remotely. Consulates run a separate digital nomad track for the self-employed. Digital nomads must also register for an Italian VAT number (partita IVA).
- Can I work for clients in Italy on it?
- Allowed. The decree covers work for a company "also not resident" in Italy, and defines that company as one whose registered office may also be outside Italy, so Italian employers or clients are not excluded; it also refers to employers or clients resident in Italy. No official text read sets a cap on Italian clients.
- How much income do I need for the Italy digital nomad visa?
- At least 3 x the minimum income level for exemption from public healthcare charges, per year, from lawful sources. Consulates describe the base as about €8,500 (so the threshold is three times that); the Ottawa embassy states €24,780 and the Boston consulate €24,789 as the threshold. Proven with tax returns, client invoices, payslips or bank statements.
- How much does the Italy digital nomad visa cost?
- €116 consular visa fee (Italian Embassy in Singapore, charged in local currency). That's the government fee on the official page; translations, insurance and legal help cost extra.
- How long can I stay on the Italy digital nomad visa?
- Residence permit for up to 1 year, renewable each year while the conditions are still met. Apply for it at the local police headquarters (questura) within 8 working days of arrival.
- Do I become tax resident in Italy?
- Translated from Italian: the police issue an Italian tax code with the permit and notify the Revenue Agency, and digital nomads must also apply for an Italian VAT number (partita IVA). The permit can be revoked if tax and social security rules are not followed. A visa doesn't settle where you pay tax, so take advice on your own case.
Other countries
Brazil · Colombia · Costa Rica · Croatia · Cyprus · Estonia · Greece · Hungary · Indonesia · Japan · Malaysia · Malta · Mexico · Portugal · Romania · South Korea · Spain · Thailand · United Arab Emirates
To compare the routes, read digital nomad visas for founders and tax residency for remote founders.
- Official name
- Digital nomad / remote worker visa and residence permit ("nomade digitale, lavoratore da remoto"), Interior Ministry decree of 29 February 2024
- Own company
- Yes
- Local clients
- Allowed
- Stay
- Residence permit for up to 1 year, renewable each year while the conditions are still met. Apply for it at the local police headquarters (questura) within 8 working days of arrival.
- Government fee
- €116 consular visa fee (Italian Embassy in Singapore, charged in local currency)
- Official page
- gazzettaufficiale.it
- Checked
Visa rules, fees and income bars change, and consulates apply them differently. Check gazzettaufficiale.it before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.