How I Became One of the First Australians Approved for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa in 2025

It’s actually a lot simpler to obtain the Digital Nomad Visa for Italy than you think!

When I first imagined building a life in Italy, I assumed my path would unfold through citizenship by descent. It felt natural, logical, and deeply connected to my heritage. I gathered my documents, built my case, and followed the steps just like thousands of other Australians hoping to reclaim their Italian roots. If only Italian bureaucracy ran on the same timeline as our enthusiasm!

As the citizenship process stretched and shifted with law changes and my moving date fast approaching, I realised I needed a reliable Plan B if I wanted to actually move to Italy instead of waiting in Australia indefinitely. That’s how the Italy Digital Nomad Visa became part of my story. It started as a backup, but ended up being a great reassurance.

Why the Digital Nomad Visa Became My Backup Plan

Citizenship is fantastic once you get it, but it’s slow. For me it took 10 years wih all the stopping and starting. Some of this was due to the consulate, some of it was due to fatigue resulting from frustration and overwhelm with the process, covid etc. In short: there were gaps, unreturned emails and the occasional resurfacing of documents you thought were settled months ago. I didn’t want my life plans stuck in limbo while I waited for someone else’s approval.

I was already running a remote business with clients outside Italy, so I began looking seriously at the new Digital Nomad Visa. It was designed for people who work online, support themselves independently, and want to live in Italy for more than a quick holiday.

My plan was to move to Italy, apply for citizenship, but have the visa just in case the law changed and I was no longer eligible for citizenship for any reason. The idea of being sent home was too much to bear so I wanted to cover ALL my bases. This Digital Nomad Visa became the perfect safety net.

For readers who want an overview of the full criteria, I explain it in detail here:
Everything you need to know about Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa

How I prepared my application in Australia

I made sure I understood the requirements clearly. Italy wants digital nomads who can work independently, earn enough to support themselves and commit to living at a real address - not a short-term rental like an air bnb - while they’re here.

I collected every document. My income records, company details, travel insurance, proof of remote work and a valid rental contract in Italy (thanks to Valentina’s help). The housing piece can be the hardest part for newcomers, so if this is where you’re stuck, I break it down fully here:
How to secure an Italian rental for the Digital Nomad Visa

By the time I walked into the Melbourne consulate, everything was clear, organised and aligned. Italian bureaucracy appreciates clarity more than people think.

Becoming One of Melbourne’s First Digital Nomad Visa Approvals

Early 2025 was an unusual moment. The Digital Nomad Visa had finally become available, but most Australians were unsure whether it was real, achievable, or worth the effort. While many people waited for more success stories, I decided to trust the process and submit my application.

That decision made me one of the very first people in Melbourne approved for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa.

The appointment itself was smooth. There were questions, but nothing too unexpected - just be prepared to have your university degree validated by the university. The consulate staff were mostly familiar with remote work applicants and the system was surprisingly efficient. After submitting everything, the waiting period was short (around 2 months), and the approval arrived sooner than I expected.

It felt surreal, not because the process was dramatic, but because it was simple. I had braced for chaos, but the clarity of my documents made the experience almost easy… well, in compared to citizenship!

Arriving in Italy and getting my Residency Permit

The visa grants you entry, but your life in Italy becomes official when you apply for your Permesso di Soggiorno, the residency permit every long-stay visa holder must obtain. I arrived in Italy, submitted the application within the required timeframe, and began the familiar dance of Questura appointments and follow-ups.

If you want a breakdown of what your first months look like, this guide will help:
How long it actually takes to move to Italy from Australia

Italy teaches patience, and the residency permit process is your first real lesson. But once approved, everything clicks into place. Life becomes smoother. You can settle, breathe, and start building real roots.

My life in Salento, southern Italy after approval

My life in Salento doesn’t feel like a dramatic reinvention. It feels like alignment. Work still happens remotely, but at a rhythm that allows room for the things I once rushed past. Mornings are slower, there are longer breaks in the middle of the day - and in summer, there’s always time for the beach.

I came here with a backup plan, but living here made me realise the Digital Nomad Visa wasn’t a fallback at all. It was the most practical and empowering choice I could have made while citizenship moves at its own pace in the background.

Thankfully for me, I was received my citizenship in October, just 7 months after applying (compared to the 3-year wait for most consulates) and no longer require the Digital Nomad Visa, but had anything gone wrong, I would’ve still been able to stay.

Otranto, one of Salento’s most beautiful towns

Why I Recommend This Visa to Australians Wanting a Real Life in Italy

If you meet the requirements, the Italy Digital Nomad Visa is far more accessible than most people realise. For me, it eliminated years of waiting and gave me the ability to live the life I wanted while the longer bureaucracy unfolded behind the scenes.

If your goal is to move to Italy, not just imagine it, this visa can open the door far sooner than you expect.

Want help bringing your own Italy dream to life?

This journey is complicated when you’re doing it alone, and simple when you understand the system. Through Italy and Back, I help English speakers navigate the exact steps I took so you can move to Italy confidently, without losing time, energy or sanity to bureaucracy.

If you’re ready, I’m here. Get in touch today.