What minimum salary do remote workers need for Italy's visa?
Updated · Income, costs & timing guide · Not legal advice
For remote workers (employees and collaborators), the annual pay in your contract or binding offer must be at least the pay set by Italy's main national collective agreements for that work, and in any case not below the average gross annual salary measured by ISTAT, Italy's statistics institute. This is in addition to the general income rule of about €28,000 a year.
| Test | Applies to | Where the number comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income (3x co-pay exemption level) | Everyone | Consulate checklist: about €28,000/year |
| Collective-agreement pay level | Remote workers | Italian national collective agreements for the role |
| ISTAT average gross annual salary | Remote workers | ISTAT data on average earnings |
What this means for US salaries
Most US professional salaries are well above Italian averages, so this test rarely blocks Americans in full-time roles. It matters for part-time contracts, junior roles and pay in weaker currencies. Have the annual gross figure stated clearly in the contract or offer letter.
Make the number easy to find
- Contract or offer must show role, start date and annual pay.
- If pay is hourly, ask HR to add an annualised gross figure.
- Bonuses and equity are hard to count: rely on base pay.
Quick answers
- Do freelancers need to meet the ISTAT salary?
- Consulate sheets list this test for remote workers (contracts and offers). Freelancers must meet the general income rule.
- Where do I find the ISTAT figure?
- Consulate sheets link to ISTAT's data on average gross annual earnings. Ask your consulate which figure it applies.
- Can a binding job offer replace a contract?
- Yes, consulates accept a contract or a binding offer (offerta vincolante) that states the pay.
What to do next
We check your contract against both tests in the $599 file review.
Free eligibility check and checklist. Paid plans are one-time, flat fees for a human review of your full Italy visa file.
Sources
- Embassy of Italy in Tunis: information sheet, digital nomad work visa (IT, PDF, 2026)
- Embassy of Italy in Chisinau: digital nomad and remote worker visas (IT, PDF)
- ISTAT data (average gross annual earnings)
Checked: . Rules change; confirm current values on the official pages above before you file.