Do tech workers qualify for Italy's nomad visa with 3 years' experience?
Updated · Who qualifies guide · Not legal advice
Yes, if you are an ICT manager or specialist. Consulates accept at least 3 years of relevant professional experience gained in the 7 years before you apply, in place of a degree, for roles in ISCO-08 groups 133 (ICT service managers) and 25 (ICT professionals such as software developers, systems analysts, database and network specialists).
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who | ICT managers (ISCO-08 133) and ICT professionals (ISCO-08 25) |
| Experience | 3+ years, relevant to the role |
| Window | Within the 7 years before the application |
| Typical roles | Software developer, DevOps/systems engineer, data/database specialist, network or security specialist, IT manager |
| Evidence | Employer letters with title, duties, dates; contracts; payslips |
Roles that are harder to fit
Product managers, designers, technical writers and digital marketers may not sit in ISCO-08 groups 133 or 25. If your title is ambiguous, have the employer letter describe the technical duties in detail, or use the 5-year experience route or a degree instead.
You still need everything else
- At least 6 months in the remote work you'll do from Italy. See the 6-month rule.
- Income of about €28,000 a year. See how it's calculated.
- A registered lease or purchase deed and health insurance.
Quick answers
- Can a self-taught developer get the Italy digital nomad visa?
- Yes, through the ICT route, with 3+ years of documented developer experience in the last 7 years.
- Does a bootcamp certificate count as a degree?
- No. It is not a 3-year tertiary qualification. Use the ICT experience route.
- Do freelance tech projects count?
- They can, if you document them well: contracts, invoices, client letters describing the technical work and dates.
What to do next
Check in two minutes whether the ICT route works for you, then get your file reviewed for $599.
Free eligibility check and checklist. Paid plans are one-time, flat fees for a human review of your full Italy visa file.
Sources
- Normattiva: Legislative Decree 286/1998, art. 27-quater (highly qualified workers)
- Embassy of Italy in Chisinau: digital nomad and remote worker visas (IT, PDF)
- Embassy of Italy in Zagreb: digital nomads requirements (EN/IT, PDF)
Checked: . Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.