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All You Need To Know About Getting A Self-Employment Visa In Italy

Davide Palazzo

December 16, 2022

Are you thinking of starting your own business in Italy? If so, you’ll need to apply for a self-employment visa. With this article, we aim to provide a high-level description of who is eligible for the Self-Employment Visa for Freelancers, how it works, and what the application process looks like.

Who is Eligible for the Self-Employment Visa for Freelancers?

The Self-Employment Visa for Freelancers is available to individuals who can demonstrate that they have the skills, experience, and/or training to work independently in a particular field or occupation. In order to be eligible for this visa, applicants must be able to show that they have the financial means to support themselves and any dependents during their stay in the country. The application process for this visa includes submitting an online application, after which applicants will be asked to provide supporting documentation. Moreover, the issuance of the visa is subject to Italy’s quota system (decreto-flussi), fixed annually, and not all self-employment categories are available each year.

General eligibility requirements are:

Have proof of available accommodation in Italy;
Obtain health insurance covering medical expenses in Italy for the first 30 days from your entry into the country;
Have a yearly gross income of at least € 8,500 earned in the year prior to the Visa application. Alternatively, a guarantee you will earn € 8,500 in a year through a signed engagement proposal by one or more Italian clients;
Obtain the Italian Fiscal Code – ‘Codice Fiscale’, which identifies you and your company in Italy;
Request a compulsory Individual Tax Code – ‘Partita Iva’, through which you must pay your taxes; and
Have certificates, documents, and attestations as required for the type of self-employment activity to be performed (applicants must meet the legal requirements for the performance of the activity in question, including, when required, the prerequisites for entering into professional registers).

What’s the Application Process for the Freelancer Visa?

The Italian Freelancer Visa application process consists of the following steps:

Obtain a ‘No Impediment/Security Clearance’ from the Chamber of Commerce, also known as the ‘Nulla Osta’ to perform freelance work;
Once granted, apply for the Visa, which can be obtained within 2 months from the application;
Apply for and obtain the ‘Residency Permit’, also known as ‘Permesso di Soggiorno’, within 8 days of entering Italy. The first residence permit for Freelance has a maximum validity of one year; however, it is renewable as long as you are not absent from the Italian territory for longer than 6 continuous months. After five years of residence in Italy, you will be eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Permit.

You can visit www.interno.gov.it to start your application.

Can You Bring a Family Member?

Family reunification is allowed under this Visa, given that the person residing in Italy holds a Residence Permit ‘Permesso di Soggiorno’ of at least one year and meets the legal requirements as to income and accommodation.

What Taxes Do I Need to Pay?

The Italian Tax Year starts on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of December. If you freelance in Italy, you have to complete the ‘Modello Redditi Persone Fisiche’ – Income Tax Declaration for Individuals online before the 30th of November. If you miss the deadline, there is a penalty to pay.

The first step to think about is to open an Italian bank account. The second step is to understand which Tax Scheme you fall under:

Regime Forfettario – Flat Tax for freelancers allows you to apply a 5% rate to the taxable income for the first 5 years, which will then increase to 15%. However, you fall under this Tax Scheme if you earn less than € 65,000 per year and your expenses are less than € 20,000 gross per year.
Regime Ordinario – Ordinary Tax System for freelancers applies to those who do not meet the above-mentioned criteria. You will be taxed at 23%; however, it increases the more you earn.

What kind of Freelance business do you want to open?

There are 2 business structures for self-employed workers in Italy, Sole Proprietorship and Freelancing. It is up to you which business is best suited for you and to apply for a Freelance Visa in Italy.

The Sole Proprietorship is for self-employed artisans and traders such as plumbers, hairdressers, painters, and shopkeepers. This type of business allows the business owner to hire employees. To open a Sole Proprietorship, you must be a resident in the Italian territory, have an Italian address, and have a work permit.

Freelancers are self-employed individuals that carry out intellectual business activities, such as lawyers, consultants, and journalists.

How Can We Help You?

According to our experience, it can be tedious to obtain a self-employment visa. Consulates may have a restrictive policy and are cautious in issuing Visas to applicants who cannot guarantee a stable occupation and substantial remuneration in the country. We advise you to rely on your trusted company to help with your application.

Palazzo Law Boutique can help you apply for an Italian Freelancer Visa so that you can fulfil your dream of living/working in Italy. Our excellent customer care and quality support will help you get the visa quickly.

Contact us for a free consultation. You can call us or send us an email, and we’ll be happy to help. During our discovery call, we will assess your case and provide you with the best outcome. You will receive an ad-hoc advisory on fulfilment, timing, and fees tailored to your needs. We understand it can be a daunting process; however, we will support you through the whole application of your visa preparation and submission. You will be informed of the mandatory fulfilment to complete the process on your arrival in Italy.

Do you need full support? Have a look at our services for Italian visas to find the best one for you.

Book a FREE 15-minute Discovery Call

Written by Dalila, Legal Assistant

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