Good news has come in the wake of the Tajani Decree that restricted eligibility requirements for citizenship jure sanguinis back in March 2025. Those who have Italian ancestors and come from a certain country can now apply for an Italian work visa outside of the usual quota system. This could be especially beneficial for those who desire to live and work in the country but do not fit the new citizenship parameters. Read on to learn more about eligibility for this exception to find out if you qualify.
How to legally work in Italy as a foreigner
There are a few different pathways to legally qualify to work in Italy, as a non-EU citizen. (EU citizens have only to declare residency in the country, then can live, work, and study freely). There are standard work visas for subordinate work and self-employment, which will be discussed in greater detail below. This can include seasonal work, contracted work for an Italian company, and freelance work.
Current residents of Italy also have the possibility of converting their residence permits for another type of visa (e.g. study) to a work permit. However, this process is also subject to the decreto flussi, the annual quotas for work visas.
Finally, the digital nomad visa, introduced in 2024, is an appealing option outside of the decreto flussi. This is discussed more below.
The Italian Work Visa
As mentioned above, the standard Italian work visa is subject to the annual decreto flussi, a quota on the maximum number of non-EU citizens allowed in Italy for work-related purposes. There are different types of these visas available, including for self-employment, seasonal work, and start-ups.
In some cases, work visas might fit outside the quota system, such as those coming for religious missions or research. The digital nomad visa (below) falls into this category as well, as does the EU Blue Card. The latter case is primarily for highly specialized or upper management workers with an Italian company.
To apply for a work visa, you will first need an offer of employment from an Italian-based company. The potential employer will need to obtain a nulla osta, a declaration of non-impediment, before the visa application can be started. Once you have the nulla osta, you can submit it, along with the work contract, visa application, passport photo, a copy of and the original passport, and a driver’s license or utility bill, proving residence in the consular jurisdiction, to your local consulate. Further documentation might be required.
Within 8 days of arrival in Italy, you will also need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno, or permit of stay. This can be done by filling out a “kit” at the post office, where you will receive an appointment at the Questura to present your documents and be fingerprinted.
The Digital Nomad Visa
As mentioned, the digital nomad visa is one option that permits non-EU citizens to enter Italy for work purposes outside of the decreto flussi. This visa is specifically for highly specialized remote workers, either for a foreign company, or on a freelance basis. A nulla osta is not required either. There is also an income requirement, along with at least six months of experience in the field the applicant will be working in.
No decreto flussi restriction for those of Italian ancestry (limited countries)
Those with an Italian ancestor in their direct line can now apply for an Italian work visa outside of the quota system. Such applicants also need to come from one of the following countries: the United States, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, or Uruguay. This also applies to subordinate work in Italy, as in contracted work with an Italian company, with a nulla osta provided by the employer.
Permanent residency and citizenship by naturalization
Permanent residency is available to those who legally reside in Italy for at least five consecutive years. While the card will need occasional updating, it is essentially considered as allowing the person to live in Italy “indefinitely.” After ten years of living in Italy, you can also qualify for citizenship by residency. If you are an EU citizen, the time limit drops down to four years, and if you have an Italian-born parent or grandparent, it is after two years.
How Italian Citizenship Assistance can help
If you come from one of the qualifying countries, have Italian ancestry, and would like to apply for the Italian work visa, Italian Citizenship Assistance is here to help. They provide up-to-date articles on their blog at https://www.italiancitizenshipassistance.com/ on subjects ranging from visas to citizenship and other immigration laws. Get in touch with an expert today at [email protected] !
