Who is eligible to apply for a Freelance visa and residence permit?

This type of visa is specifically conceived for professionals who intend to perform self-employment activities for regulated or unregulated professions in Italy.
Regulated professions are activities that, in order to be performed, require for the registration to a specific register or professional order.
Unregulated professions are activities that do not require any specific authorization or registration to be performed in Italy. Nevertheless, they must be represented by trade or professional associations at national level.

Main requirements to apply for a Freelance visa and residence permit

  • Proof of available accommodation in Italy;
  •  A yearly gross income of at least 8.500,00 euros earned in the year prior to the one of the visa application; or an engagement proposal signed by one or more Italian clients granting the application a yearly gross compensation of at least 8.500,00 euros;
  • Health insurance covering medical expenses and hospitalization in Italy for the first 30 days from the applicant’s entry in Italy;
  • A certificate of ‘no impediment’ to perform free-lance work activities in the specific field of expertise of the applicant issued
    – by the competent Chamber of Commerce for all working activities to be registered at the Chamber of Commerce;
    – or by the specific authority, public administration or professional association competent to grant the necessary licence, authorization or professional enrolment that is necessary to perform a specific free-lance activity;
  • Having sufficient economic resources to start and perform the specific free-lance activity in Italy (the exact amount is established either by the Chamber of Commerce or by the other competent authority).

Main Procedural Steps

  1. Application for the certificate of ‘No Impediment’ at the Chamber of Commerce (if applicable), obtaining any necessary authorization or licence or enrolment to perform specific self-employment activities (if applicable);
  2. Applying for and collecting the ‘Nulla Osta’ (Security Clearance issued by the competent Immigration Desk);
  3. Filing the visa application at the Italian Consulate of the applicant’s place of residency;
  4. Application for the residence permit.

Validity of the Freelance residence permit

The first residence permit for Freelance has a maximum validity of 1 year, renewable.
The residence permit is renewable under the same substantive conditions for the issuance of the first one, as long as the foreign national is never absent from the Italian territory for longer than 6 continuous months.
The applicant can renew the residence permit on their own or be assisted by us.
After 5 years of continuous registered legal residency in Italy, the applicant would be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit.

Time Frame

The expected time frame to obtain the visa for self-employment is approximately 2 months from the application. Once the applicant obtains the visa, they can travel to Italy, apply for the residence permit, work and reside there legally.

Get in Touch

Do not hesitate to write to us if you wish to have additional information on the requirements for this type of Visa and free-of-charge counselling on your specific case.