ItalyNational visa for self-employment and entrepreneurship

Self-employment visa in Italy

A visa for those running their own business in Italy or working as independent professionals. Some applicants enter under the Decreto Flussi quota, others outside it on separate grounds in the immigration code. The opinions come from Italian authorities: the Questura, the chamber of commerce or the professional order, and, for the non-quota categories, the territorial labour directorate. The consulate issues the visa after they approve. The applicant shows a service contract with a client.

Source: Consolato d'Italia Recife — Visto per lavoro autonomo

Who is granted a self-employment visa

The list of applicants is closed and splits into two groups with different entry rules — within the annual quota and outside it.

Within the Decreto Flussi quota

Entrepreneurs whose activity is of interest to the Italian economy
Licensed professionals and members of recognised professional bodies — with certification from the chamber of commerce or the relevant order
Officers of limited liability companies (not cooperatives)
Internationally known artists invited by a public or private organisation, and founders of innovative start-ups under the 2012 law

Outside the quota

Managers and highly specialised staff of companies with a branch in Italy or a head office in a WTO member country
Native-speaker teachers invited by a university under an exchange programme
University professors seconded for academic work in Italy
Professional translators and interpreters

When this programme will not suit you

I plan to be employed by an Italian company on a salary and under the employer's direction

You need an employed work visa (visto per lavoro subordinato) — self-employment does not cover this

I want to live in Italy on my savings, with no activity and no clients

The elective residence visa (visto per residenza elettiva) is the right fit

I am joining a relative who already lives in Italy

You need a family reunification visa (visto per ricongiungimento familiare) — it is arranged separately, and the application is filed by the relative through the Questura in Italy

Documents to gather

The set of documents differs for the categories within the quota and outside it; some requirements are common to both groups.

Nulla osta from the Questura of the place of the future activity, issued no more than three months before
Certification from the chamber of commerce (CCIAA) of financial resources — no less than three times the monthly social allowance, about EUR 20,000 (for categories within the quota)
Declaration from the competent authority that there are no impediments — for activities with licences, permits or registration in special registers, issued no more than three months before
Certificate from the Direzione Territoriale del Lavoro that the contract does not amount to disguised employed work (for categories outside the quota)
Copy of the service contract — contratto d'opera (for categories outside the quota)
Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy
Proof of annual income from lawful sources no lower than the threshold for exemption from healthcare costs, about EUR 8,500
Completed Modulo D and Formulario Resumido
Flight booking showing the transit airports
Travel insurance policy
Receipt for payment of the consular fee
All documents in printed form — copies shown on a phone or sent by email are not accepted

How the process runs

All the procedures take place in Italy before the visa is issued — the consulate only produces the document once the Italian authorities have decided.

1
Obtaining the nulla osta or the DTL opinion in Italy
For categories within the quota, the Questura of the place of activity issues the nulla osta and the chamber of commerce certifies the financial resources. For categories outside the quota, the Direzione Territoriale del Lavoro checks the service contract and confirms that it does not amount to employed work.
2
Gathering declarations and proof of accommodation
The competent Italian authority issues the declaration of no impediment where the activity is licensed. The applicant gathers proof of suitable accommodation and of annual income.
3
Booking an appointment and filing the printed file at the consulate
Appointments are booked through the prenot@mi portal. All documents are accepted only in printed form: the consulate will not consider copies shown on a phone or sent by email.
4
Issue of the visa
The consulate issues the visa only after receiving favourable opinions from Italy — the Questura's nulla osta, the chamber of commerce certification or the DTL opinion. The consulate does not itself examine the content of the contract.

Timelines and rights

Work

Self-employed activity for the client named when the visa was issued; changing client and converting the residence permit to other grounds are not permitted.

Frequently asked questions about Self-employment visa

How much does the self-employment visa cost?

There is no separate tariff for this category — the general consular fee for a national long-stay type D visa applies. The fee is revised quarterly because of exchange rates, and the consulate publishes the current amount in a separate price list.

Who checks that my contract does not disguise employed work?

For categories outside the quota this is done by the Direzione Territoriale del Lavoro (DTL) of the place where the contract is performed. The consulate issues the visa only after a favourable DTL opinion that the contractual relationship is not dependent employment.

What financial requirements have to be proven?

For categories within the quota — certification from the chamber of commerce of resources of no less than three times the monthly social allowance, about EUR 20,000, and proof of annual income no lower than the threshold for exemption from healthcare costs, about EUR 8,500. For categories outside the quota only the second is required — income of about EUR 8,500.

What about family members?

This visa does not automatically bring the family along. Relatives obtain a separate family reunification visa: the application is filed by the relative already living in Italy through the Sportello Unico at the Questura, and the consulate issues the visa once it receives the electronic nulla osta. Adult family members must prove economic dependence; a civil partnership (união estável) registered in Brazil is not recognised for this purpose.

Other ways to move to Italy

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Italy.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.