🇮🇹Italy Visa for San Marino Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

National Visa (Type D) - Subordinate Employment (Lavoro Subordinato)

Authorises non-EU nationals to enter Italy to take up employment under a contract with an Italian employer. Covers both seasonal and non-seasonal work.

Requires a Nulla Osta (clearance) from the Single Desk for Immigration (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione) at the Italian Prefettura. Subject to annual immigration quotas (decreto flussi) except for EU Blue Card and certain exempt categories. Must convert to residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within 8 working days of arrival. Non-seasonal work: processing ~90 days. Seasonal work: shorter timelines. Fee EUR 116.

National Visa (Type D) - Self-Employment (Lavoro Autonomo)

Permits non-EU nationals to enter Italy to carry out independent professional or business activity (freelance, entrepreneur, professional services) not covered by the Startup Visa.

Subject to annual immigration quotas (decreto flussi). Requires authorization from the relevant ministry/chamber of commerce depending on profession. Processing time typically 90-120 days due to quota release schedule. Must register at Questura and convert to residence permit within 8 working days of arrival. Fee EUR 116.

EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE)

Facilitates entry and residence of highly qualified non-EU workers who have a higher education qualification and a qualifying employment contract in Italy.

Exempt from annual immigration quotas. Minimum annual gross salary EUR 33,500 (2024 threshold, approximately 1x-1.6x average Italian salary). Employment contract must be at least 6 months. Issued for 2 years or duration of contract + 3 months if shorter. Employer must apply at Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione. Additional fees: EUR 50 issuance + EUR 30 postal kit + EUR 16 tax stamp + EUR 30.46 processing. Confers enhanced mobility rights within EU after 18 months of legal residence.

National Visa (Type D) - Seasonal Work (Lavoro Stagionale)

Allows non-EU nationals to work in Italy for a defined season, particularly in agriculture and tourism sectors.

Subject to seasonal immigration quotas in the annual decreto flussi. Renewable within Italy for a second season. Maximum duration 9 months (270 days) in any 12-month period. Must have a job offer from an Italian employer. Converted to seasonal residence permit at Questura.

National Visa (Type D) - Study (Studio)

Grants non-EU nationals the right to enter Italy to pursue higher education, language courses, vocational training, or other educational programs.

Reduced fee EUR 50. Fee waived for students in EU-funded educational exchange programs and for teachers/researchers participating in educational programs. Not subject to immigration quotas. Must convert to student residence permit within 8 working days of arrival. Permits part-time work up to 20 hours/week. Proof of university/school enrollment required.

National Visa (Type D) - Research (Ricerca Scientifica)

Allows non-EU researchers to enter Italy to conduct scientific research at a recognized research institution under a hosting agreement.

Visa fee waived for qualifying researchers. Must have a hosting agreement (Accordo di Accoglienza) with an Italian public or private research institution approved by the Ministry of University and Research. Not subject to immigration quotas. Family members may accompany under family reunion provisions.

Digital Nomad / Remote Worker Visa (Visto per Nomadi Digitali / Lavoratori da Remoto)

Allows non-EU highly specialized workers - both freelancers/self-employed and employees of foreign companies - to reside and work remotely from Italy.

Introduced by Law 25/2022 (Art. 6-quinquies of Legislative Decree 286/1998); operationalised by Interministerial Decree of 29 February 2024 (published in Official Gazette 4 April 2024). Two categories: (1) Digital Nomads (freelancers/self-employed); (2) Remote Workers (employees of non-Italian foreign companies). Minimum annual income EUR 24,789 (as of 2024; recalculated annually). Valid health insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage required. University degree or equivalent professional qualification required. Not subject to annual immigration quotas. Visa fee adjusts quarterly based on official EUR/USD exchange rate. Initial permit valid 1 year, renewable at Questura.

Investor Visa for Italy (Visto per Investitori)

Grants non-EU nationals a 2-year visa to reside in Italy in exchange for a qualifying investment in strategic Italian economic or social assets.

Officially introduced by Law 232/2016 (2017 Budget Law). Administered by the IV4I Committee under MIMIT. Four investment pathways: EUR 2,000,000 in Italian government bonds; EUR 500,000 in an Italian limited liability company; EUR 250,000 in an Italian innovative startup; EUR 1,000,000 in a philanthropic donation. Nulla Osta issued within 30 days. Investment must be completed within 3 months of arrival. Initial visa valid 2 years, residence permit renewable for 3 years. Exempt from annual immigration quotas. Program suspended for Russian and Belarusian nationals (extended to dual nationals March 2024). Path to permanent residence after 5 years; path to citizenship after 10 years.

Italia Startup Visa (Visto per Startup Innovativa)

Enables non-EU innovators residing abroad to enter Italy and establish an innovative startup meeting Italian Startup Act criteria.

Fully digital, free application portal. Nulla Osta (ISV certificate) issued within 30 days by committee. Total government fees approximately EUR 96 (two postal bulletins: EUR 30.46 and EUR 50.00; revenue stamp: EUR 16.00). Initial self-employment visa valid 1 year. After 1 year, renewable for 2-year self-employment residence permit upon demonstrating business incorporation and adequate income. Application routes: directly to Ministry committee, or through a certified Italian incubator. Must register at Questura within 8 working days of arrival. Exempt from immigration quotas.

National Visa (Type D) - Family Reunion (Ricongiungimento Familiare)

Allows non-EU family members to join a non-EU national legally residing in Italy or to join an Italian/EU citizen under specific conditions.

Requires the sponsor in Italy to file for family reunion authorization at the Questura/Prefettura. Fee EUR 116. Not subject to immigration quotas (EU Directive 2003/86/EC). Eligible family members include spouse, minor children, adult dependent children, and dependent parents with no other children abroad. Sponsor must demonstrate adequate income (above social allowance threshold) and adequate housing. Converts to family residence permit within 8 working days of arrival.

National Visa (Type D) - Elective Residency (Residenza Elettiva)

Designed for non-EU nationals with sufficient independent income (pension, investments, property income) who wish to reside in Italy without engaging in employment.

Applicant must demonstrate substantial passive income sufficient for full self-support in Italy (no precise minimum stated in law, but consulates typically require evidence of at least EUR 31,000/year for a single applicant). Employment is not permitted. Must have suitable accommodation in Italy. Converts to elective residency permit within 8 working days of arrival; renewable annually showing continued income. Popular for retirees and those living off investment income.

National Visa (Type D) - Diplomatic / Official Mission (Diplomatico / Missione Ufficiale)

Issued to accredited diplomats, consular officers, and official mission personnel assigned to Italy or international organizations headquartered in Italy (e.g., FAO, WFP, IFAD in Rome).

Visa fee waived under diplomatic reciprocity and Vienna Convention obligations. Accreditation must be arranged through the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Protocol Office. Diplomats from countries with bilateral visa exemption agreements for diplomatic passports do not require a visa. Mission personnel of international organizations headquartered in Italy (including UN Rome-based agencies) may obtain special diplomatic status permits.

National Visa (Type D) - Religious Mission (Missione Religiosa)

Allows non-EU members of religious orders, missionaries, and religious volunteers to enter Italy for recognized religious activities or to serve in religious communities.

Requires a letter of invitation or guarantee from the recognized religious institution in Italy. The religious organization must be legally registered in Italy. Subject to immigration quotas in some subcategories. Must convert to residence permit within 8 working days of arrival.

National Visa (Type D) - Adoption (Adozione)

Allows prospective adoptive parents (or children being adopted) to enter Italy to complete international adoption proceedings under the Hague Convention.

Requires authorization from the Commissione per le Adozioni Internazionali (CAI), the Italian central authority for international adoptions. For children: the visa converts to a residence permit. Italy is a party to the Hague Convention on International Adoption. Exempt from immigration quotas.

Schengen Visa (Type C) / National Visa (Type D) - Medical Treatment (Cure Mediche)

Allows non-EU nationals to enter Italy to receive medical treatment at Italian healthcare facilities when care is not available or adequate in their home country.

Short-term treatment (up to 90 days): Schengen Type C visa applies, fee EUR 90. Extended treatment (over 90 days): National Type D visa required, fee EUR 116. Requires a letter of confirmation from the Italian medical facility, proof of financial means to cover medical costs, and accommodation proof. An accompanying person (one family member/caregiver) may also receive a visa. Must convert to residence permit if stay exceeds 90 days.

Schengen Visa (Type C) - Cultural / Sporting Events

Covers non-EU nationals participating in or attending cultural events, film festivals, music performances, sporting competitions, or similar organized events in Italy.

Type C Schengen visa, fee EUR 90. Requires invitation letter or registration confirmation from the organizing institution. Athletes competing in official international competitions may benefit from expedited processing under sports federation agreements. Journalists and crew attending covered events also apply under this category in practice.

National Visa (Type D) - Working Holiday / Youth Mobility (Vacanze-Lavoro)

Allows young nationals of countries holding a bilateral youth-mobility agreement with Italy to spend an extended holiday in Italy while undertaking incidental work to help fund their stay.

Available only to nationals of countries with a bilateral youth-mobility (working holiday) agreement with Italy: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. Age eligibility is generally 18-30 (extended to 18-35 for Canada and Australia). No work authorization (nulla osta) is required; apply directly at the Italian consulate in the applicant's home country. Applicant must show proof of sufficient funds (e.g. approx EUR 1,900 for a 12-month stay under the Italy-Canada programme) and return-travel means. Work is incidental to the holiday and generally capped at 6 months total with a maximum of 3 months per employer, except under the Italy-Canada agreement which permits work for the full authorized period. Programmes are subject to annual bilateral quotas (e.g. 2,000 places each way for Canada). Standard national (Type D) visa fee EUR 116. Residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) must be requested at the Questura within 8 working days of arrival; valid up to 12 months and non-renewable/non-convertible.

National Visa (Type D) - Volunteering (Volontariato)

Allows non-EU nationals to enter Italy to take part in an approved voluntary service programme run by a recognised religious body, non-governmental organisation, or registered social-utility association.

Open to applicants generally aged 25-35. The sponsoring organisation in Italy must obtain a Nulla Osta authorization and provide health insurance (covering accidents and civil liability during volunteering) plus a declaration covering accommodation and round-trip travel; the confirmation is transmitted electronically to the Italian consulate. The visa is issued within 90 days of authorization. National (Type D) visa fee EUR 116 (plus residence-permit and administrative costs of approx EUR 40 permit + EUR 30 postal kit + EUR 16 tax stamp + EUR 30.46 issuance). Residence permit covers the programme duration up to 1 year (exceptionally up to 18 months) and is not renewable or convertible. Must be requested at the Questura within 8 working days of arrival.