Should I get Italian citizenship by descent or a digital nomad visa?
Updated · Who qualifies guide · Not legal advice
Since Decree-Law 36/2025 (converted by Law 74/2025), most people born abroad with another citizenship are Italian by descent only if a parent or grandparent was born in Italy, with narrow other exceptions. If you no longer qualify, or your case will take years, the digital nomad visa is the practical way to live in Italy now; if you clearly qualify, citizenship gives you more rights and no income test.
| Item | Citizenship by descent | Digital nomad / remote worker visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Descendants meeting the post-2025 rules | Highly qualified non-EU remote workers |
| Income test | None | About €28,000 a year |
| Work rights | Full EU rights | Your remote job or clients |
| Time to live in Italy | Depends on eligibility and processing | Consulates quote up to 90-120 days to decide |
| Duration | Permanent | Up to 1 year, renewable |
When the visa makes sense
- Your Italian ancestor is a great-grandparent or further back.
- You are unsure you qualify after the 2025 changes and want to move this year.
- You plan to move first and pursue other options later.
Get the citizenship question answered properly
Citizenship cases are legal questions. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs citizenship page and a licensed Italian lawyer. We handle the visa side.
Quick answers
- Should I get Italian citizenship by descent or a digital nomad visa?
- If you clearly qualify under the 2025 rules, citizenship is better long term. If not, the nomad visa is the way to live in Italy now.
- Can I apply for citizenship while living in Italy on the nomad visa?
- Citizenship by descent and residence are separate procedures with their own rules. Ask a licensed lawyer about your case.
- Does time on the nomad visa count toward citizenship by residence?
- See long-term residence and citizenship.
What to do next
If citizenship is uncertain, check your visa eligibility now. It's free; the full review is $599.
Free eligibility check and checklist. Paid plans are one-time, flat fees for a human review of your full Italy visa file.
Sources
- Ministero degli Esteri: citizenship information
- Ministero dell'Interno: Italian citizenship
- Normattiva: Legislative Decree 286/1998 (Immigration Act), art. 27 incl. para. 1-sexies on digital nomads
Checked: . Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.