Working remotely is increasingly popular, but it's not always easy. A freelance visa can be the solution for many people who want to relocate to Italy — especially those interested in being a digital nomad.
You may have heard about being a digital nomad but aren't quite sure what it means. In this article, we'll cover what qualifications you need to apply for a freelancer visa and why Italy is such an ideal place for remote workers.
What Is a Digital Nomad?
A digital nomad is a person who works remotely, typically from a laptop, and can live anywhere. They are usually self-employed, work from their home country, and travel for work. Digital nomads usually have their businesses or freelance clients located around the world. They may also be independent contractors for companies outside their home country (a remote employee).
Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad
Being a digital nomad has many benefits. The most obvious one is that you can work from anywhere. The world is your office, so you can live in Rome for the warm weather, then hop on the train to Paris for a couple of weeks in the fall and back again when spring comes around.
Another benefit of remote working is that it allows you to travel more than someone who works in an office. There's no commute, so there's no need to plan your days around getting stuck in traffic or sitting on public transit with other people breathing all over your face (or anything else unpleasant).
If it's summertime, there's no better way to spend your vacation than lounging by the pool at home rather than trying to figure out how much sunscreen will protect against sunburn while also not making it uncomfortable for everyone else around you.
Italy is an excellent place for digital nomads because it's a beautiful country with a rich culture and history, a high standard of living, a relatively low cost of living, and incredible access to food and wine. The country also has many exciting cities to explore.
What Jobs Are Most Common for Digital Nomads?
Some of the most common fields include:
- Web development (front end or back end)
- Design (graphic design or UX)
- Social media management
- Copywriting/translation/editing/proofreading/ghostwriting
- Marketing research & strategy and web analytics
- Programming (backend development)
- Data science & data analysis roles
- Programming
- Video Editing
- Content creation
- Blogging
You will work remotely as a digital nomad, so your options are limitless. However, some jobs lend themselves better to the lifestyle than others. The good news is that there isn't any area of expertise that can't be done from anywhere in the world with the right technology and resources.
If the job you are doing or want to do primarily involves doing most of the work on a laptop without too much connection to other people, then you're in luck. Being a digital nomad is something that will likely be perfect for you.
While many people use these kinds of jobs to work from home, you can choose to make your home the whole world and travel it as you make money from afar.
Why Is Italy Good For Digital Nomads?
Italy has a lot of things going for it. The country is one of the most visited countries in the world, and it's not hard to see why: Italy's architecture and culture are beautiful, and there are plenty of well-preserved historical sites to visit.
But don't let that fool you into thinking Italy isn't modern or relevant — it has a vibrant economy with great job opportunities for digital nomads. And because Italy is part of Europe (and the Schengen area), you can easily travel from one country to another without worrying about visas or immigration regulations.
How To Legally Become a Digital Nomad in Italy
Italy has been at the forefront of remote work and entrepreneurship since 2001. This is because they have been one of the first countries to adopt a law that allows foreigners to work remotely in Italy.
The Italian government has historically opened its doors to foreign professionals willing to share their expertise with local companies. As a result, Italy has become a popular destination for digital nomads looking for an ideal place to live, work, and play as part of their lifestyle.
A digital nomad visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows you to live and work in Italy. You may qualify for this visa if you are not an EU citizen and want to stay in the country for more than three months. However, it is essential to note that your spouse must apply for one if you plan on obtaining an Italian digital nomad visa.
The Italian freelancer visa permits people to work remotely while in Italy. This means you can travel with your laptop and do some freelance work on the road, but you won't be able to find an employer or have a full-time job. This is an excellent option for those who don't want to quit their current job and spend six months working in another country without being paid.
Anyone with a valid passport (from a non-EU country) can apply for an Italian freelance visa. However, you must first be able to prove your identity and nationality.
How To Acquire a Freelance Visa in Italy
To get this visa, you will need to verify a few different things with the Italian government:
- Proof that you will have sustainable and available accommodations while you stay in Italy
- You must have a yearly income of at least 8,500 euros. This will need to be proven by showing the government your income from the year prior.
- Health insurance that covers medical expenses, as well as any potential hospitalizations while you're living in Italy
- A "no impediment" certificate displays your ability to do work while you're staying in Italy.
- You will need to show that you have enough resources, economically and otherwise, to cover your expenses while you start to work in Italy.
You'll need to complete an application form, pay the application fee and attend an interview at the consulate or embassy. Your completed form must be printed, signed, and submitted with supporting documents. You will also need to pay the following fees:
- Application fee: EUR 70 (around USD 80)
- Visa issuance fee: EUR 65 (about USD 70)
Once you've completed these steps and paid your fees, send your passport and all your documents by registered mail or courier service directly to the Italian Consulate or Embassy that issued the visa in Italy on which you'd like to travel.
If you're planning to visit Italy on a digital nomad visa, it's vital to get the application process started at least four weeks before your planned travel date. If that's not possible, though, don't worry — the Italian embassy does offer emergency visas for "urgent and compelling" reasons.
You'll pay a higher fee for an emergency visa (about $180), but it will still be much cheaper than purchasing a flight back home and returning later.
How Does a Freelance Visa Work in Italy?
A freelance visa is a particular residence permit that allows non-EU citizens to work remotely in Italy. The freelance visa is only for those working full-time during their stay in Italy. If you're unsure whether your company qualifies as an "organization" or plans to work remotely, you must note that the freelance visa is not for you.
The freelance visa is valid for one year, and you can renew it annually if you continue to have sufficient income from your job. This visa is only available to non-EU citizens; EU residents must apply for a different type of work permit instead.
Conclusion
A freelance visa is likely the best option if you want to work as a digital nomad in Italy. It allows you to travel wherever you want and work from anywhere with an internet connection. If you have a passion for Italian culture and history, there's no better place than Italy.
If you want to try being a digital nomad but don't know where to start with the travel aspects of it, then there's no better place to start than ETIAS.
If you would like to trial life as a digital nomad in Europe, consider first applying for an ETIAS. On an approved ETIAS, you can visit your EU country of choice for up to 90 days, per 180 day period, while working on your business. This will enable you to have the flexibility to try living in a few different EU countries before selecting your ideal location.
EU travel authorization rules frequently change but you can keep yourself informed by following the current ETIAS requirements.
Next time you're setting out on the adventure of a lifetime and need a nomad visa or an ETIAS, check out the latest information and resources.
Sources:
Which Countries Offer Freelance Visas? | GoAbroad.com