It's finally here! Interested in applying for the Digital Nomad Visa for FREE?
The news is setting the expat world abuzz. Will you get the golden ticket?
To say that a lot is going on behind the scenes at Smart Move Italy is an understatement. This week has been a whirlwind with the approval of the Digital Nomad Visa. Yes, there’s been chatter but sometimes in Italy, chatter is not followed up with action. This time appears to be different. We’ll start this week’s Italy Per Te with an update straight from our Chief Dream Maker, Samantha Wilson. Buckle up and read on. You’re not going to want to miss this.
I Lost the Bet!
If you’ve been following me for a while, you will know that I’ve been rather conservative about the likelihood of the Digital Nomad Visa ever coming into play. In fact, we had a bet with our immigration and visa team “when” (if ever) it would come into effect.
And I lost - big time - last week!
To give you a quick recap of the timeline:
The DNV was announced in 2022, which made all of the newly Covid-remote-workers ecstatic. But, the announcement was simply a notice that the proposed visa was agreed on, and it was still a very long way from enactment. Then, we had an election, and the noise quieted to a faint whisper.
Then, suddenly, the DNV came back into the spotlight a few months ago, and the bet was back on! Being a bit of a negative-nelly, I said it won’t happen before September, but I was proven wrong!
On April 4th it was published in the Gazzetta (which is a circular of laws and regulations in Italy) which means that not only did I lose the bet, but that the DNV is now available!
As you can imagine the emails, questions, DM’s flooded our inbox this week. We have been buried in legal text, consulate circulars, and consultations with the best immigration minds to find the best answers to your questions and how we can help you apply and become a digital nomad in Italy.
Here’s what you need to know. This is a new visa in Italy with no precedent, other than the Self Employment visa, which as you may know, is one of the most difficult to get. Consulates have received little to no direction, the verbiage is vague and the process is unclear.
Sounds Italian right? 😉
What we know for certain is that this visa is not for a typical digital nomad. It is for highly skilled individuals, ones that have a degree in the field that they work in, who can support themselves (28k is the income required but we suspect it will be more) and prepared to pay taxes in Italy as a digital nomad.
This is not a visa for a blogger, YouTuber, or content creator, unless you have a degree in social media and contracts from clients that you work for. I will write a separate post on the full requirements to apply for the DNV in a few days, but for now, I wanted to share something even more exciting (if that’s possible!)
I think the DNV is an incredible opportunity for the right applicant, but also know that the pathway to successfully applying for this visa will be bumpy and very difficult to do without help.
💡 So, I had an idea…..
Why don’t we help you, and learn together, on our dime?
💥 We are picking 4 qualifying applicants who want to apply for the Digital Nomad Visa, but want to do it with the support and expertise of the visa team at Smart Move Italy- all for free!
Our visa experts will provide professional expert guidance, support, and advice to help four qualifying digital nomads apply for the new DNV. Italy is notoriously complex and bureaucratic, but our visa experts will be with you from start to finish providing support, guidance, and advice.
To be considered for one of our free support spots you will need to meet the following criteria:
Be a freelancer, self-employed or a remote worker with an employee contract
Earn a minimum of 28,000 euros per year from any/all sources
Have a college or university degree (minimum 3 years) from an accredited institution in the field you are working remotely in or have superior professional experience of more than 3 years in the field that you are working in
Can provide a clear criminal records check
You will also need to have the financial ability to:
Purchase 1-year private health insurance from a travel insurance company
Lease an apartment in Italy (it is not clear yet if an Airbnb will suffice)
Travel and live in Italy and be self-sufficient
Are ready to apply within the next 3 - 6 months.
How to Apply
If you answered YES to the above questions and are ready and able to move to Italy within the next 6 months, then I personally invite you to apply for this rare opportunity to have full professional visa support at no cost!
Podcast Corner - Demystifying the Italian Healthcare System
If healthcare is one of your biggest concerns about starting a new life in Italy, you are not alone. It’s one of the most talked about topics in our community, and for good reason. At first glance, it can be confusing and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. On a recent podcast episode, Sam shares her extensive knowledge of the Italian healthcare system, as well as some of her personal experiences. If you’d like clarity, encouragement, and straight facts on the topic, don’t miss this episode.
‼️ Tip - Italians may look at healthcare a bit differently than you’re used to, depending on your home country. Here, getting sick is just a part of life, and natural remedies are actually preferred as the first line of defense rather than prescription drugs.
Location Spotlight - Rapallo, Liguria
Welcome to the Italian Riviera, where you’ll find the colorful seaside town of Rapallo in the province of Liguria. Whether you want to stroll the picturesque streets, search for the best focaccia (the choices are many), or relax on the beach, Rapallo is a must-see destination.
Offering a comforting mix of subtle Riviera glitz and down-to-earth Italian charm, Rapallo is both worthy of exploration on its own and the perfect jumping-off point for many attractions in the area including Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Cinque Terre, and Genoa. Here you’ll also find Christ of the Abyss, an underwater installation of a bronze statue erected to honor those lost at sea (but only if you’re into diving or snorkeling).
Visitors to Rapallo will find a wide variety of accommodations — from elegant, luxury hotels to more rustic retreats — a healthy mix of public and private beaches, and plenty of sights, food, and scenery to keep you busy. Speaking of which, you can’t miss the Rapallo Castle, a small but (once) mighty 16th-century castle that juts out into the sea, reminding us of a time when this beautiful town needed significant protection from pirate attacks.
Does living in Rapallo sound like a dream? The real estate here can be pricey but there are still deals to be had. We featured this👇 quaint and comfy apartment just a stone’s throw from the sea in this week’s Vendita, our weekly property newsletter. It’s available for rent and it’s fully furnished.
Want to see the details? Don’t forget to subscribe to Vendita for 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday ☕️. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free! Could you see yourself in Rapallo? Let us know in the comments.
Ask Samantha Anything
Dear Samantha: I am a dual Canadian/Italian citizen and I spend half the year in Italy, but I’m not a resident. I know I’m not eligible to center the public system but I’d like to know if I can utilize the private system for my healthcare needs while I’m there or if I can buy insurance. Is there anything special that I need to do or will I find that there are different rates for non-residents?
Dear Denise: Hi Denise, if you are not a resident of Italy you cannot access the public system, regardless if you are an Italian citizen. The free healthcare for citizens is tied to taxes, so if you are don’t contribute, then you can’t benefit. However, Medical tourism is popular here and arriving as a citizen (or even a tourist as long as it is not for more than 90 days) for medical or dental treatment is possible. You can make the proper arrangements at any private clinic that you like and pay them directly. Private healthcare in Italy is very affordable compared to many other countries, but the quality and accessibility are very high.
📣 LAST CALL for Sam’s ERV Workshop
For those of you considering the Elective Residency Visa pathway (and we know there are MANY), this is your chance to get all the info you need to submit a successful application. Join us for Sam’s live ERV workshop this Sunday! 👇
💥 In addition to expert insight and detailed tips, you’ll get Sam’s ERV WORKBOOK, which includes cover letter templates with writing prompts and bank letter templates that have proven to tip the scales in your favor (This book alone is worth the price of registration!).
The #1 reason for a denial is the lack of financial proof and/or an incomplete application..so let's make sure you give it your best shot!
Sam has a 💯% success rate when it comes to securing ERVs for her private clients so you don’t want to miss this opportunity. GRAB your seat before they’re gone!
See you next Thursday!
Whew! Today was a doozy and we’re sure you have a lot to digest. We’re here to support your journey to a new life in Italy and love to hear your feedback. As always, thanks for being part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!