Italy moves visa and work permit filings fully online

Italy’s visa system goes fully digital

Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs now runs a fully digital visa portal for all Schengen type C and national type D applications. The paper workflow is gone and long-stay applicants still need biometrics before a visa is issued, the ministry said.

The change follows the EU’s Entry/Exit System, which has been fully operational since April 10, 2026. It records fingerprints and facial images for non-EU short-stay travelers instead of passport stamps, so border officers can track the 90/180-day rule electronically.

Who feels the changes most

Non-EU tourists, remote workers and expats are the main groups affected. Short-stay travelers now face biometric checks at the border and visa-exempt visitors are due to be pulled into ETIAS later in 2026, with a €20 fee and online pre-travel authorization.

Digital nomad applicants still need proof of remote work, private health insurance, a fixed address and income of at least €24,789.93 (about $26,880) a year. They must apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arrival in Italy.

What to file and when

Italy’s Decreto Flussi quota for 2026 sets aside 164,850 work permits for non-EU workers, with priority for agriculture, tourism, healthcare and construction. Employers submit applications online on the designated click days and many seasonal jobs don't require a degree.

Travelers should also expect more border screening and possible waits under the EES system. The Italy guide covers entry rules, costs and longer stays.

Correction, Sept. 23, 2026: An earlier version of this article gave the ETIAS fee as €7 ($7.60). It was €20 when this article was published.

Correction, Sept. 25, 2026: An earlier version of this article gave the digital nomad visa income floor as €28,000 ($30,360) a year. It was €24,789.93 a year (three times the €8,263.31 healthcare cost-sharing exemption limit) when this article was published.