The Ultimate Guide to Being a Digital Nomad in Italy

When you picture a nomad hub in Europe, Italy is not the first pin you drop. You think Portugal. Maybe Spain or Greece.

And yet, quietly, Italy has become one of the most attractive nomad bases in Europe.

Since the launch of its digital nomad visa, Italy has started to shift. Add strong global connections, incredible food, deep history, and landscapes that jump from Mediterranean beaches to the Alps, and suddenly the picture looks very different.

Is Italy Good for Digital Nomads?

Interest in working remotely from Italy has grown fast over the past few years. Remote work went mainstream, the digital nomad visa arrived in 2024, and government initiatives aimed at repopulating small towns changed the narrative.

You have probably heard of the one-euro houses, grants in southern regions, or the south working movement (professionals returning to the south to combine online work with a better quality of life).

The choice is really between bigger cities offering coworkings, flights, and international communities or mid-sized cities and towns offering lower rent, closer relationships, and a slower, more human pace.

If it’s your first time in Italy, I would test it for three months and decide with your body, not the map.

Best Digital Nomad Places in Italy

In general, northern Italy is more orderly and expensive, while the south is sunnier and more affordable. Both directions offer excellent options for digital nomads.

Milan

Italy’s fashion capital runs like clockwork, and you feel it immediately. Public transport works, services are efficient, and the city calendar is always full.

Milan offers everything you expect from a global city: a high density of coworking spaces, tech and design events, and an international crowd. If you love city comforts but crave weekend nature, Lake Como and forest parks are less than two hours away.

The vibe is a mix of castles, canals, and cutting-edge architecture. Parks and bars are full of young people, especially in warmer months.

Efficiency comes at a price. Well-connected neighborhoods are expensive, and a sit-down meal facing the Duomo can easily cross €50.

Rome

Rome is endless history wrapped in chaos. On the way to your coworking space, you may feel like you are walking through an open-air museum.

The city is louder and more hectic. Traffic can be intense, but scooters make life easier. You will find enough coworkings, charming cafés, and a social life that moves between markets, neighborhood trattorias, and late dinners.

Costs are medium to high. Shared apartments are common, especially in northern Rome, which is generally the best area for digital nomads. If you avoid tourist-only restaurants, local markets make eating well surprisingly affordable.

Bologna

Italy’s university city par excellence. Bologna is full of students, bicycles, hidden bookshops, and an intellectual energy that makes it quietly special.

It is strategically located: Florence, Milan, and Venice are all an easy train ride away. You get access to expensive cities while paying closer-to-student prices.

Housing can be competitive (especially at the end of summer) but flat shares and rooms are still reasonable. There are plenty of cafés to work from, excellent train connections, and a relaxed rhythm.

And thanks to its endless porticoes, you can walk comfortably even when it rains!

Turin

Once Italy’s capital, Turin welcomes you with grand architecture, a compact metro system, and a reinvented industrial soul.

It is less touristy than other northern cities, which works in favor of digital nomads looking for fair prices and solid infrastructure. Train connections are excellent, and the Alps are right next door.

There is also a strong expat community, making it easy to build connections. And then there’s the food: chocolate, Piedmont wines, and historic cafés where working feels like time travel.

Palermo

Palermo is intense, raw, and deeply authentic. Its charm lives in the contrasts of its chaotic streets, lively markets, and the stunning seaside in the background.

For digital nomads, the cost of living is much lower. You get excellent food at friendly prices, sunny apartments with terraces, and a diverse mix of locals and expats who live life fully.

Coworking spaces are fewer, but life moves slower here. Shops close for lunch, nobody rushes, and waiting is part of the culture.

Transport across the island can take patience, but ferries connect Sicily to the mainland, and from there you can reach anywhere in Italy by train.

Small Towns for Retreat-Style Nomads

Italy is packed with small towns. Places like Matera, Trieste, Trento, or Perugia offer lower rent, strong local identity, and everyday beauty.

If your work does not depend on frequent events, these towns can be a perfect balance between cost and wellbeing. Expat communities are smaller, which can feel lonely, but it is also the best way to truly learn the language and culture.

Living in Italy as a Digital Nomad: Costs, Internet, Food

Internet is generally reliable across the country, and you will usually find places to work. Carrying an eSIM for emergencies is always smart.

Café culture works differently here. Many Italians drink an espresso standing at the bar and leave. Cafés can be lively and noisy, so it’s worth scouting before settling in for deep work.

Cost of living depends heavily on location. Rome and Milan are expensive, while the south and mid-sized cities offer excellent value.

Food is one of Italy’s biggest advantages. Local markets and neighborhood trattorias keep prices reasonable, and you will eat well almost anywhere.

Trains are your best friend. Trenitalia and Italo connect the country efficiently, and booking in advance saves money. Within cities, metro, buses, bikes, and scooters cover most needs.

Healthcare is well covered if you arrive with travel insurance that includes emergencies and basic care.

Social life opens quickly if you try basic Italian. Not everyone speaks English, but conversation matters more than perfection. Italians value shared meals and long conversations, and that creates real connections.

Seasonality matters. Summer brings crowds and higher prices. Spring and autumn are ideal.

Italy is generally very safe if you use common sense. Once I forgot my backpack on a train and found it untouched an hour later!

Visa Options for Digital Nomads in Italy

Italy offers a digital nomad visa for those working remotely for non-Italian companies. There is also elective residency for people living off passive income, plus standard Schengen stays for short visits.

Useful Apps for Digital Nomads in Italy

To move around the country, Trenitalia and Italo are your best friends. In the city, Moovit or Google Maps will save your day.

For meals, Deliveroo or Glovo are handy, and if you want to save money, Too Good To Go has lots of restaurants and cafés where you can eat well and try new things.

For mid-term housing, Airbnb and Booking work well.

For payments, Wise or Revolut. To stay online, use a reliable eSIM and, if you are staying long term, get a local SIM as backup.

Ready to Make Italy Your Next Nomad Destination?

Join our global
digital nomad community

Join us for free

Written by Angelina Bertoni

After trying the conventional life, I packed everything into a backpack and started walking the world. I feel the energy of the spaces I explore — and that’s what I write about.

Why you can trust Freaking Nomads

Freaking Nomads is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free, helpful content. Learn more