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Italy

The residence routes we hold for Italy, each requirement as its rule states it, and what a month costs in its cities. This page assesses no one.

This page describes the destination for nobody in particular. Answer a few questions and each requirement is set against your own answers, with a monthly budget for your household. Your answers stay in the address bar of your browser; nothing is stored.

Check this for your household

Country in brief

Pros

  1. Quality of life: food, culture, landscape, and strong regional identity.
  2. EU free movement; a flat-tax regime for new residents with foreign income exists (check current terms).
  3. Very different price levels between north and south — the south is cheap to live in.
  4. Good healthcare in the north and centre.
  5. Strong manufacturing base and craft sectors (Bologna, Emilia) for an industrial buyer.

Cons

  1. Heavy bureaucracy and slow justice; contracts and permits take long.
  2. High labour costs and rigid employment law for a small employer.
  3. The south has weaker institutions, infrastructure and job markets; the north is as expensive as France.
  4. Low growth for decades; demographic decline outside the big cities.
  5. Italian is needed for almost everything outside tourism and large firms.

Emigrator’s assessment, 6 October 2026. Where a point names a figure, the sourced data above governs.

Routes we hold for Italy

What each rule states, as we encoded it from the source. A money threshold that grows with the size of the household is shown for the reference household named under the costs.

EU/EEA free movement (register after three months)

Checked against the law

We read this route’s requirements in the instrument that sets them and checked every rule against it on the date shown below.

· within the limit

RequirementRule saysType
Citizen of an EU or EEA stateHolds at least one of: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakiathe European Union, the EEA EFTA states — 30 countries, as read on 7 September 2026Mandatory
A basis for staying beyond three monthsThis requirement can be met in more than one way:Conditional
Working or self-employed thereMust be Yes—
Comprehensive sickness insuranceMust be Yes—

What the authority states and we cannot test

Quoted in the authority’s own words rather than summarised. No rule of ours tests these.

  • dispone per sé stesso e per i propri familiari di risorse economiche sufficienti, per non diventare un onere a carico dell'assistenza sociale dello Stato durante il periodo di soggiorno, e di un'assicurazione sanitaria o di altro titolo idoneo comunque denominato che copra tutti i rischi nel territorio nazionale

    Our translation: they have, for themselves and for their family members, sufficient economic resources so as not to become a burden on the social assistance of the State during the period of residence, and sickness insurance or another suitable instrument by whatever name covering all risks in the national territory — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Normattiva — Decreto legislativo 6 febbraio 2007, n. 30, attuazione della direttiva 2004/38/CE relativa al diritto dei cittadini dell'Unione e dei loro familiari di circolare e di soggiornare liberamente nel territorio degli Stati membri. Testo vigente, articoli 7 e 9, art. 7 comma 1 lett. b)

Digital nomad / remote worker visa

Draft — not checked by us yet

We built these rules from the country’s own sources and have not finished checking them line by line.

Never checked · limit 45 days

RequirementRule saysType
Third-country national (EU/EEA citizens use free movement)Holds none of: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakiathe European Union, the EEA EFTA states — 30 countries, as read on 7 September 2026Mandatory
Three times the minimum healthcare cost-sharing exemption income*At least €2,065.83 per month300% of The minimum income exempt from Italian healthcare cost-sharing (€688.61 per month, effective 1 January 1999) = €2,065.83Mandatory
Health insurance valid in Italy for the whole stayMust be YesMandatory

What the authority states and we cannot test

Quoted in the authority’s own words rather than summarised. No rule of ours tests these.

  • e) presentino il contratto di lavoro o collaborazione o la relativa offerta vincolante, se lavoratori da remoto, per lo svolgimento di una attività lavorativa che richiede il possesso di uno dei requisiti di cui all'art. 27-quater, comma 1, del decreto legislativo 25 luglio 1998, n. 286.

    Our translation: (e) present the employment or collaboration contract, or the binding offer for it if they are remote workers, for the performance of work requiring one of the qualifications under art. 27-quater, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree no. 286 of 25 July 1998. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana — Ministero dell'interno, decreto 29 febbraio 2024, «Modalità e requisiti per l'ingresso ed il soggiorno dei cittadini di Stati non appartenenti all'Unione europea che svolgono un'attività lavorativa altamente qualificata attraverso l'utilizzo di strumenti tecnologici che consentono di lavorare da remoto» (24A01716), GU Serie Generale n. 79 del 04-04-2024, art. 3, comma 1, lettera e

  • d) dimostrino un'esperienza pregressa di almeno sei mesi nell'ambito dell'attività lavorativa da svolgere come nomade digitale o lavoratore da remoto;

    Our translation: (d) demonstrate prior experience of at least six months in the field of the work to be carried out as a digital nomad or remote worker; — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana — Ministero dell'interno, decreto 29 febbraio 2024, «Modalità e requisiti per l'ingresso ed il soggiorno dei cittadini di Stati non appartenenti all'Unione europea che svolgono un'attività lavorativa altamente qualificata attraverso l'utilizzo di strumenti tecnologici che consentono di lavorare da remoto» (24A01716), GU Serie Generale n. 79 del 04-04-2024, art. 3, comma 1, lettera d

  • c) dispongano di una idonea documentazione relativa alle modalità di sistemazione alloggiativa;

    Our translation: (c) have suitable documentation concerning their accommodation arrangements; — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana — Ministero dell'interno, decreto 29 febbraio 2024, «Modalità e requisiti per l'ingresso ed il soggiorno dei cittadini di Stati non appartenenti all'Unione europea che svolgono un'attività lavorativa altamente qualificata attraverso l'utilizzo di strumenti tecnologici che consentono di lavorare da remoto» (24A01716), GU Serie Generale n. 79 del 04-04-2024, art. 3, comma 1, lettera c

  • 4. Il visto è rifiutato o, se già rilasciato, è revocato, se il datore di lavoro o committente residente nel territorio dello Stato risulti condannato negli ultimi cinque anni, anche con sentenza non definitiva […] per i reati di cui all'art. 22, comma 5-bis, del testo unico.

    Our translation: 4. The visa is refused or, if already issued, revoked, where the employer or client resident in the territory of the State has been convicted within the last five years, including by a non-final judgment […] of the offences under art. 22, paragraph 5-bis, of the consolidated act. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana — Ministero dell'interno, decreto 29 febbraio 2024, «Modalità e requisiti per l'ingresso ed il soggiorno dei cittadini di Stati non appartenenti all'Unione europea che svolgono un'attività lavorativa altamente qualificata attraverso l'utilizzo di strumenti tecnologici che consentono di lavorare da remoto» (24A01716), GU Serie Generale n. 79 del 04-04-2024, art. 3, commi 4 e 5

  • Il permesso di soggiorno già rilasciato è altresì revocato quando non sono rispettate le disposizioni di carattere fiscale e contributivo vigenti nell'ordinamento nazionale.

    Our translation: A residence permit already issued is likewise revoked where the fiscal and social-contribution provisions in force in the national legal order are not complied with. — Emigrator, machine-assisted and reviewed against the source

    Stated by Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana — Ministero dell'interno, decreto 29 febbraio 2024, «Modalità e requisiti per l'ingresso ed il soggiorno dei cittadini di Stati non appartenenti all'Unione europea che svolgono un'attività lavorativa altamente qualificata attraverso l'utilizzo di strumenti tecnologici che consentono di lavorare da remoto» (24A01716), GU Serie Generale n. 79 del 04-04-2024, art. 4, comma 4; artt. 5 e 6

  • Proof of physical residence in our jurisdiction, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill. … Only for non-U.S. citizens: Proof of legal residence in the United States … B1/B2 visa holders must apply at a Consulate in their home country.

    Stated by Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York — «Digital Nomad / Remote Worker VISA», visa requirements page, Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York, "Digital Nomad / Remote Worker VISA", documents list

Elective residence visa

Draft — not checked by us yet

We built these rules from the country’s own sources and have not finished checking them line by line.

Never checked · limit 45 days

RequirementRule saysType
Third-country national (EU/EEA citizens use free movement)Holds none of: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakiathe European Union, the EEA EFTA states — 30 countries, as read on 7 September 2026Mandatory
Steady private income, not from employment*At least €5,166.66 per monthMandatory
No work activity in ItalyMust be NoMandatory

What the authority states and we cannot test

Quoted in the authority’s own words rather than summarised. No rule of ours tests these.

  • For family applications, each applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial resources, typically around €31,000 per person.

    Stated by Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York — «Elective residency», visa requirements page, section 4, Proof of financial means

  • Proof of lodging: contract of purchase/lease of a house or an apartment in Italy for the entire period requested. Please note that: · the lease, rental contract, or deed must be in the applicant's name, must be REGISTERED before the local authorities (Agenzia delle Entrate) and must be presented in original.

    Stated by Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York — «Elective residency», visa requirements page, section 5, Proof of lodging

  • applicants with high self-sustaining incomes and financial assets who have a real necessity to stably residing in Italy

    Stated by Consolato Generale d'Italia a Londra — «Elective residence», visa requirements page, who the visa is for

  • This consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request additional documentation, if deemed necessary, in addition to what is submitted. Furthermore, the applicant is hereby informed that submitting all required documentation does NOT guarantee the issuance of any particular visa.

    Stated by Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York — «Elective residency», visa requirements page, closing paragraph

  • For non US citizens: Alien Registration Card or a valid US INS visa and letter from US government letters i.e. Advanced Parole, IAP66, I20 and copies (any visa except B1-B2); Moreover for non-US citizens proof of residence such as driving license or State Income tax;

    Stated by Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York — «Elective residency», visa requirements page, Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York, "Elective residency", item 3

A month here, for a reference household

Reference household: two adults aged 38 and 37, a one-bedroom home, no children.

Residence fees and health cover are those of EU/EEA free movement (register after three months). The low, middle and high figures are the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles where a publisher states them; each line says who published it.

illustrative Money figures on this page are illustrative unless the figure names its publisher. The illustrative ones are arranged so the shape is right — a larger flat costs more than a smaller one, and the expensive cities are the expensive ones — and they are accurate in nothing. Do not plan on them.

CityP25P50P75
BolognaThis total does not include Building or service charge, Statutory levies and licences, Residence permit renewals, Domestic help and Household and leisure baseline, which nobody publishes for this city. It is the sum of what we hold, not of what the household will pay.not published€1,833not published
PalermoThis total does not include Building or service charge, Statutory levies and licences, Residence permit renewals, Domestic help and Household and leisure baseline, which nobody publishes for this city. It is the sum of what we hold, not of what the household will pay.not published€1,450not published
RomeThis total does not include Building or service charge, Statutory levies and licences, Residence permit renewals, Domestic help and Household and leisure baseline, which nobody publishes for this city. It is the sum of what we hold, not of what the household will pay.not published€1,986not published

Its cities

Bologna

Safety
100 / 100measured
Healthcare
96 / 100measured
Air quality
not held

6 of 12 months between 10 and 26 °C

  1. Jan840
  2. Feb1051
  3. Mar1494
  4. Apr18138
  5. May241812
  6. Jun292317
  7. Jul332620
  8. Aug322619
  9. Sept262015
  10. Oct211510
  11. Nov1495
  12. Dec941

Each cell: average daily high, monthly mean, average daily low, in °C. These are averages of daily values over 2001–2020, not records — the hottest day is higher and is not shown.

Palermo

Safety
100 / 100measured
Healthcare
96 / 100measured
Air quality
not held

11 of 12 months between 10 and 26 °C

  1. Jan13108
  2. Feb13108
  3. Mar16129
  4. Apr191511
  5. May231814
  6. Jun282318
  7. Jul312622
  8. Aug312622
  9. Sept272320
  10. Oct242017
  11. Nov191513
  12. Dec151210

Each cell: average daily high, monthly mean, average daily low, in °C. These are averages of daily values over 2001–2020, not records — the hottest day is higher and is not shown.

Rome

Safety
100 / 100measured
Healthcare
96 / 100measured
Air quality
74 / 100measured

8 of 12 months between 10 and 26 °C

  1. Jan1274
  2. Feb1284
  3. Mar16106
  4. Apr19149
  5. May231813
  6. Jun282317
  7. Jul322620
  8. Aug322621
  9. Sept272117
  10. Oct231713
  11. Nov17139
  12. Dec1385

Each cell: average daily high, monthly mean, average daily low, in °C. These are averages of daily values over 2001–2020, not records — the hottest day is higher and is not shown.

How this country is governed

World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, 2024, on a 0–100 scale the Bank publishes itself. They describe the country, not any city in it.

Political stability and absence of violence
71the World Bank governance score for political stability
Rule of law
68the World Bank governance score for rule of law
Control of corruption
59the World Bank governance score for control of corruption

Where this comes from

PublisherLast checked
EUR-Lex — Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States. Consolidated version of 16/06/20118 September 2026
Normattiva — Decreto legislativo 6 febbraio 2007, n. 30, attuazione della direttiva 2004/38/CE relativa al diritto dei cittadini dell'Unione e dei loro familiari di circolare e di soggiornare liberamente nel territorio degli Stati membri. Testo vigente, articoli 7 e 928 September 2026
EFTA Secretariat — Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 158/2007 of 7 December 2007 amending Annex V (Free movement of workers) and Annex VIII (Right of establishment) to the EEA Agreement, incorporating Directive 2004/38/EC. Published at OJ L 124, 8.5.2008, p. 20 and EEA Supplement No 26, 8.5.2008, p. 1728 September 2026
Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana — Ministero dell'interno, decreto 29 febbraio 2024, «Modalità e requisiti per l'ingresso ed il soggiorno dei cittadini di Stati non appartenenti all'Unione europea che svolgono un'attività lavorativa altamente qualificata attraverso l'utilizzo di strumenti tecnologici che consentono di lavorare da remoto» (24A01716), GU Serie Generale n. 79 del 04-04-202411 September 2026
Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York — «Digital Nomad / Remote Worker VISA», visa requirements page11 September 2026
Consolato Generale d'Italia a New York — «Elective residency», visa requirements page11 September 2026
Consolato Generale d'Italia a Londra — «Elective residence», visa requirements page11 September 2026
Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale — portale «Visto per l'Italia», scheda residenza elettiva (code 5_0_D)11 September 2026

Provenance

Rule set 1.58.0-2026-10-11 · read on 26 October 2026. Every figure on this page was computed by the engine from versioned rule files. No language model produced any number here, and translation happens only after the calculation.

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This is decision support, not legal advice. Confirm any route with a licensed adviser or the authority before acting.

Italy: residence routes, requirements and monthly costs — Emigrator