Digital Nomads & Remote Workers: These Italian Cities Are Remote Work Havens in 2025 (+ Companies Hiring Right Now)

Working remotely from Italy isn’t just a fantasy fueled by dreamy Instagram reels of pasta, piazzas, and Aperol spritz at golden hour—it’s a real, sustainable lifestyle if you know where to go and how to set yourself up. As remote work becomes a long-term reality for millions, Italy is positioning itself as a top destination for digital nomads, thanks to its rich culture, affordable smaller cities, welcoming communities, and upcoming Digital Nomad Visa program.

We’ll explore the top cities in Italy for remote workers, breaking down the pros, cons, cost of living, co-working spaces, Wi-Fi quality, and lifestyle. Whether you’re a solo freelancer or part of a remote team, this expert-backed post will help you choose the perfect Italian home base.

Why Choose Italy as a Remote Worker?

Diverse cities for different lifestyles: beach, mountain, countryside, or historic city
Great food and culture everywhere you go
Reasonable cost of living outside of Milan/Rome
High-speed internet access in most urban areas
Excellent travel connections across Europe

Best Cities in Italy for Remote Work & Living

1. Bologna – The Underrated Remote Work Capital

Why it’s great:

Bologna is a student city with a buzzing local economy, excellent food, walkable streets, and a down-to-earth vibe. It’s less touristy than Florence but full of life and culture. It has some of the best internet speeds and a growing tech/startup scene.

Top coworking spaces: Serendippo, Flexworking, Kilowatt
Cost of living: ~$1,300/month (modest lifestyle)
Wi-Fi quality: Excellent (fiber available)
Community: High concentration of creatives, students, expats

Expert Tip: Bologna’s central location makes it a perfect travel hub—Florence, Milan, Venice, and Rome are all just a few hours away by train.

2. Florence – For Art, Slow Living & Inspiring Views

Why it’s great:

Florence offers a unique mix of Renaissance charm and modern coworking life. While it can be tourist-heavy, it also has quiet, elegant neighborhoods perfect for longer stays.

Top coworking spaces: Impact Hub Florence, Multiverso
Cost of living: ~$1,500/month
Wi-Fi quality: Good, but older buildings can have weak signals
Community: Mixed—lots of creatives, artists, and remote workers

Expert Tip: Avoid peak summer and focus on spring or fall when Florence feels more local and calm.

3. Turin – Tech-Savvy, Affordable, and Full of Surprises

Why it’s great:

Turin (Torino) is a hidden gem for digital nomads. Once an industrial city, it’s now full of innovation hubs, parks, and amazing food. It’s much more affordable than Milan and just a train ride away.

Top coworking spaces: Toolbox, Talent Garden, Copernico
Cost of living: ~$1,200/month
Wi-Fi quality: Strong, with good infrastructure
Community: Fast-growing tech and creative scene

Expert Tip: Ideal for remote workers who want an urban Italian experience without the chaos of Rome or the prices of Milan.

4. Lecce – The Southern Escape for Sun-Loving Nomads

Why it’s great:

Located in the heart of Puglia, Lecce is often called the “Florence of the South.” It combines sunshine, baroque beauty, and affordable living. If you crave beach weekends and a slower pace, this is your place.

Top coworking spaces: Officine Cantelmo, Manifatture Knos (in nearby Bari)

Cost of living: ~$1,000/month
Wi-Fi quality: Improving, but check coverage in your apartment
Community: Small but growing; some nomads relocate here seasonally

Expert Tip: Great for freelancers who want sun, seafood, and simple living.

5. Milan – For Fast-Paced Remote Workers Who Thrive in Hustle Culture

Why it’s great:

Milan is Italy’s business capital, home to top fashion, finance, and startup scenes. If you’re a remote worker who feeds off energy, networking, and sleek spaces, Milan delivers.

Top coworking spaces: Talent Garden, Copernico, Spaces Milano
Cost of living: ~$2,000/month
Wi-Fi quality: Excellent everywhere

Community: International, competitive, energetic

Expert Tip: Choose Milan if you’re a remote tech or startup pro who values networking and career growth.

6. Palermo – Island Vibes with Urban Grit

Why it’s great:

Palermo, in Sicily, is ideal for those craving sun, culture, and a deep local flavor. The city is chaotic but exciting, and costs are low. Perfect for writers, artists, or digital creatives who want inspiration.

Top coworking spaces: Moltivolti, FabLab Palermo
Cost of living: ~$950/month
Wi-Fi quality: Good in city center; use mobile hotspot backup
Community: Small expat groups, digital nomads, local creatives

Expert Tip: Rent a scooter, live near the center, and embrace the beautiful chaos.

Bonus: Upcoming Italian Digital Nomad Visa (2025 Update)

Italy is rolling out a Digital Nomad Visa aimed at non-EU remote workers. Requirements are expected to include:

Proof of remote employment or freelancing
Minimum income threshold (~€28,000–€35,000/year)
Health insurance
Clean criminal record

This will make long-term stays in Italy much easier for Americans, Canadians, Australians, and other non-EU passport holders.

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Q&A:

1) Does Italy currently have a digital nomad or remote worker visa?

Yes — officially launched on April 4, 2024.

This visa allows non‑EU nationals to live and work remotely in Italy, either as freelancers or employed by foreign companies. Valid for up to 12 months and renewable annually .

Key requirements include:

Highly skilled worker (university degree or ≥ 5 years of experience) .
Minimum annual income of ~€28,000 (about three times the co-pay exemption threshold) .
At least 6 months of prior remote work experience .
Valid health insurance covering your full stay .
Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy .
Clean criminal record (no convictions in past 5 years) .
After entering Italy with the visa, you must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days .

2) Without the digital nomad visa, how can non‑Italians legally stay in Italy?

While the nomad visa is ideal, other options exist:

Study Visa – for language courses or degrees (3+ months).
Self‑employment visa (Partita IVA) – requires setting up as a freelancer and proving income.
Elective Residence Visa – for retirees or those with passive income (~€32,000+ yearly).
Work Visa with Sponsor – requires an Italian employer willing to sponsor.
Schengen Tourist Rule – 90 days in Schengen followed by 90+ days outside, but not sustainable long-term without visa.

3) Which major Italian companies hire remote or digital-nomad staff?

Italy’s tech and startup scene is rapidly embracing remote work. Here are top companies known for offering remote positions:

Bending Spoons (Milan) – Mobile app powerhouse, internationally hiring; fully remote roles available .
Docebo (Turin/Milan) – EdTech SaaS company with multiple remote openings.
Musement (part of TUI) – Remote roles in development, marketing, and product.
Everli (formerly Supermercato24) – Tech-logistics startup, remote engineering roles.
Talent Garden – Europe-wide coworking and educational network, flexible remote and hybrid positions.

Plus, remote-friendly sectors include:

Tech & SaaS startups
Digital marketing / SEO
UX/UI design
Web development
Translation & language teaching

Working Remotely in Italy Isn’t Just a Dream.I taly offers more than just postcard beauty—it’s a deeply livable country with the infrastructure, lifestyle, and now legal frameworks to welcome the global remote workforce. Whether you’re working 9–5 remotely or freelancing across time zones, you’ll find your perfect balance of productivity and la dolce vita.