In short. The self-employment visa Italy issues is granted only within the Decreto Flussi quotas and only to specific categories, such as entrepreneurs investing at least €500,000, freelance professionals, company officers, artists of international renown and founders of innovative start-ups. You need an annual income of around €8,400, suitable accommodation, Chamber of Commerce or professional body certificates and a provisional nulla osta from the Questura. If you are already in Italy with another permit, converting it is usually easier because no quota applies.
In this detailed guide, I explain as clearly and completely as possible how to obtain a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) for self-employment, whether you are still abroad and therefore first need a self-employment visa, or you are already in Italy with another residence permit and want to convert it into a residence permit for self-employment.
This procedure is very complex, specific requirements apply and a lot of documentation is needed, involving several public authorities. With the right preparation and, if necessary, our support, you will be well placed to work as a self-employed person with the appropriate residence permit.
What is the residence permit for self-employment?
The residence permit for self-employment (lavoro autonomo) is a specific work permit for people who intend to start their own business or professional activity. It can be requested both by foreign nationals living abroad, who will first need a self-employment visa, and by those who are already in Italy on another basis (read our guide on converting a study permit into a work permit).
Of course, the residence permit for self-employment also allows you to work as an employee, just as an ordinary work permit allows you to start a business.
The usefulness of the self-employment residence permit therefore lies in providing a specific residence status for those who, at the time of applying, do not meet the requirements for ordinary employment but do meet those for working on their own account.
What does Article 26 of Legislative Decree 286/98 say?
The rules governing the self-employment visa and the issue and renewal of the self-employment residence permit within the quotas set by the Decreto Flussi (Italy’s annual quota decree for foreign workers), with all the requirements and documents needed, are contained in Article 26 of Legislative Decree no. 286 of 25 July 1998 (Testo Unico Immigrazione, the Consolidated Immigration Act).
Further useful guidance can be found in the following rules:
- Art. 39, Presidential Decree (D.P.R.) no. 394 of 31 August 1999, as replaced by Art. 36(1) of Presidential Decree no. 334 of 18 October 2004;
- MICA (former Ministry of Industry, Trade and Crafts) Circular no. 3473/C of 29 November 1999 – D.P.R. no. 394 of 31 August 1999, Art. 39 – Provisions on self-employment of foreign nationals;
- MICA Circular no. 3484 of 4 April 2000 – D.Lgs. no. 268/1998, Art. 26 and D.P.R. no. 394/1999, Art. 39 – Self-employment by non-EU foreign nationals;
- MAP (former Ministry of Productive Activities) Circular no. 3589/C of 20 July 2005 – D.P.R. no. 334/2004, Regulation amending and supplementing D.P.R. no. 394/1999 on immigration.
What are the requirements for a self-employment residence permit?
The requirements for obtaining a self-employment residence permit vary depending on the activity you intend to carry out but, in general, they are as follows:
- Meeting the legal requirements for carrying out the specific activity (for example: registration with professional bodies, registers, rolls, etc.);
- Having sufficient economic and financial resources for the activity you intend to carry out (the reference economic and financial parameters are declared by the Chamber of Commerce of the relevant province, only for activities that can be entered in the Companies Register or the Register of Craft Businesses);
- Annual income from lawful sources above the legal minimum for exemption from healthcare co-payments (around €8,400);
- Availability of suitable accommodation.
For activities subject to registration with professional bodies or in the Companies Register:
- A nulla osta (clearance) issued by the competent public authority stating that there are no obstacles to carrying out that particular activity:
- if the activity is subject to an authorisation, licence, etc., the certificate must be issued by the competent authority (for example, for retail trade on public land the Municipality is responsible, as it is the body that issues the authorisation required to carry out the activity);
- if, instead, you intend to carry out an unrestricted activity (i.e. one not subject to authorisation by other bodies), the certificate is issued by the Chamber of Commerce, upon submission of a specific application bearing a marca da bollo (revenue stamp).
Finally, only foreign nationals who do not hold another residence permit also need:
- a self-employment visa issued by the Italian Consulate;
- a provisional nulla osta for self-employment issued by the Questura (police immigration office).
What is the minimum income for a self-employment residence permit?
The minimum income required to apply for a residence permit for self-employment is always at least the minimum set for exemption from healthcare co-payments, which is around €8,400. It cannot be demonstrated by means of a bank guarantee or a surety bond.
If you are wondering how you can have an income before you have even started the activity, your doubts are legitimate. However, the self-employment residence permit allows you to carry out self-employed activities which, by their nature, are uncertain and do not guarantee earnings, so the Public Administration wants to be sure that you already have a source of income that makes you self-sufficient even if your activity does not go as well as hoped.
Even when applying for an ordinary residence permit for employment, you need to show a contract that reaches this threshold but, in that case, it is the company that guarantees to pay you that amount.
How do you certify the requirements under Art. 26 of Legislative Decree 286/98?
Even for activities that do not require any licence or authorisation, you must obtain from the Chamber of Commerce responsible for the place where the self-employed activity will be carried out, or from the relevant professional body, the certificate of reference parameters concerning the availability of the financial resources needed to carry out the activity.
These parameters are based on the applicant having available in Italy a sum not lower than the annual capitalisation of a monthly amount equal to the assegno sociale (social allowance) (around €7,000).
What documents do you need for a self-employment residence permit?
The documents needed to obtain a self-employment residence permit are the following (they may vary according to the specific case, as explained above):
- copy of your passport;
- copy of your valid residence permit;
- proof of available minimum income and of the resources to start the activity;
- proof of available suitable accommodation;
- nulla osta from the professional body or the Chamber of Commerce;
- certificate of economic and financial parameters from the professional body or the Chamber of Commerce;
- provisional nulla osta for self-employment from the Questura;
- self-employment visa.
The authorisations, the certificate and the nulla osta are all valid for only three months, so you need to obtain them quickly in order to apply to the Consulate or the Prefettura.
Who can get the self-employment visa Italy issues within the quotas?
To obtain a self-employment residence permit, a prospective entrepreneur coming to Italy from abroad must first obtain a self-employment visa. However, these entries fall within the quotas and are allowed only for the categories set out in the current Decreto Flussi:
- entrepreneurs carrying out activities of interest to the Italian economy, involving the investment of their own resources of no less than €500,000 and the creation of at least three new jobs. The assessment of the “interest for the Italian economy” is the exclusive responsibility of the diplomatic or consular mission;
- freelance professionals in regulated professions, or in unregulated professions included in the lists kept by the Public Administration. The official website of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy publishes the list of “associations of unregulated professions”, for which there are no professional orders, registers or colleges;
- company officers of non-cooperative companies and foreign “directors and managers” of Italian companies eligible for the self-employment visa, who, according to Interministerial Decree no. 850 of 11 May 2011, are the chairpersons, members of the board of directors, managing directors and auditors of joint-stock and limited liability companies only (società per azioni, a responsabilità limitata and in accomandita per azioni), that have been operating for at least three years;
- artists of clear international renown or highly qualified professionals, engaged by public or private bodies;
- foreign nationals setting up “innovative start-ups” under Law no. 221 of 17 December 2012, who meet the requirements of that law and have a self-employed working relationship with the company.
As you can see, it is not easy to fall within one of these categories, which in practice makes the self-employment visa for Italy a limited option, also considering the few hundred entry quotas granted each year. Obtaining a self-employment residence permit by converting another permit is easier, as there are no quota limits.
What is a power of attorney (procura) and when do you need it?
If the non-EU national is not in Italy, they must authorise a person lawfully residing in Italy to apply on their behalf to the public authorities for all the certificates and documents listed above.
This authorisation is called a procura (power of attorney); it is drawn up at the Italian Consulate or before a notary public in the applicant’s country of origin. The power of attorney must be translated into Italian and legalised by the Italian diplomatic authority abroad (or apostilled).
What is the Chamber of Commerce certificate?
Whenever the activity you intend to carry out is entrepreneurial in nature and can be entered in the Companies Register, the Chamber of Commerce responsible for the place where the self-employed activity will be carried out, or the professional body, must issue the certificate of economic and financial parameters.
The parameters are set according to the capital intensity of each type of activity, classified as low, medium or high.
This certificate does not need to be issued in the following cases:
- to those who hold a residence permit for employment or any other permit that allows them to work;
- to those who intend to carry out a consultancy activity;
- to those who intend to become working partners (soci prestatori d’opera) of companies set up less than three years ago;
- to those who wish to become ordinary shareholders or directors of companies.
So, for activities subject to registration with professional bodies (e.g. lawyers, accountants, engineers, etc.), the certificates are issued by those bodies.
What is the Questura’s provisional nulla osta for self-employment?
The final document needed for the self-employment visa to be issued is the nulla osta for self-employment from the Questura. Once you have obtained all the other documents, you can submit them to the immigration office of the competent Questura, which will issue the document within 20 days. You will need:
- a photocopy of your passport;
- a translated and legalised power of attorney, if applicable;
- nulla osta from the professional body or the Chamber of Commerce, together with a copy of the application and of the documents submitted to obtain it;
- certificate of economic and financial parameters issued by the Chamber of Commerce;
- registered rental or purchase contract for the property to be used as accommodation. Alternatively, a declaration signed by an Italian citizen or a foreign national lawfully residing in Italy, stating that they have made suitable accommodation available to the applicant.
If the activity to be carried out is not subject to registration with any professional body, does not require authorisation from the Chamber of Commerce and is not entrepreneurial in nature, and therefore cannot be entered in the Companies Register, you can apply directly to the Questura for the nulla osta.
How do you open a business in Italy (even from abroad)?
To start any kind of self-employed activity, regardless of whether you need a self-employment residence permit, you should know that the law sets out specific obligations:
- choose the activity code (Codice Attività): depending on the type of activity you intend to carry out, you must choose from the activity codes provided by current regulations. If the activity is not described by any code, you will need to use the generic code closest to the type of activity;
- choose the tax regime: depending on the expected annual turnover, you can choose specific tax regimes, which may involve different bookkeeping requirements;
- complete the Declaration of Start of Activity (Dichiarazione Inizio Attività): for this, you can go directly to the officials of the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency) for self-employment, or of the Chamber of Commerce for business activities;
- open a VAT number (Partita IVA): if the chosen activity code falls under business activities, you must go to the Chamber of Commerce. If instead it is a self-employed professional activity, you must go to the Agenzia delle Entrate. Opening and closing a VAT number is free of charge;
- register with INPS (the National Social Security Institute) or another pension fund: depending on the activity, you will need to register with a specific social security scheme managed by INPS or by other sector-specific pension bodies;
- register with INAIL: registration for compulsory insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases;
- Certified Notice of Start of Activity (SCIA): to be submitted to the Municipality (SUAP – Sportello Unico per le Attività Produttive, the One-Stop Shop for Business), which will check compliance with planning, building, environmental, public safety, fire prevention, health and hygiene and workplace safety rules, energy efficiency rules and the provisions of the Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape.
In any case, for the technical aspects of opening a business, I recommend contacting a CAF (tax assistance centre) or an accountant (commercialista).
What is the procedure for a self-employment residence permit?
The steps to follow to apply for a self-employment residence permit are as follows:
- carefully analyse your situation and gather the necessary documents so that you are ready for the following steps;
- depending on the activity you intend to carry out, obtain the nulla osta from the professional body or the Chamber of Commerce, the certificate of economic and financial parameters from the Chamber of Commerce (only for entrepreneurial activities) and the nulla osta from the Questura;
- if you are abroad, submit the documents to the Italian Consulate to apply for the entry visa for self-employment;
- if you are already in Italy on another basis, submit the documents to the Prefettura through the Ministry of the Interior’s official online portal (Portale ALI);
- within 8 days of entering Italy with the self-employment visa, or of receiving the authorisation from the Prefettura, apply to the Questura for the self-employment residence permit using the kit postale (postal application kit);
- follow the instructions and collect your final self-employment residence permit.
How much does a self-employment residence permit cost?
The cost of the first issue of the self-employment residence permit, which is valid for two years, is made up as follows:
- €30.46 for issuing the electronic residence permit (PSE);
- €50.00 contribution for a residence permit valid for up to two years;
- €30.00 for sending the kit postale;
- €16.00 for the marca da bollo.
These are the costs for the issue and renewal of the self-employment residence permit, as for most residence permits.
Is there an out-of-quota self-employment visa under Art. 27 TUI?
I will close our guide by pointing out that, although in a very limited and specific way, it is also possible to enter Italy, and therefore obtain a self-employment residence permit, outside the quotas set by the Decreto Flussi, for the following categories:
- managers or highly specialised staff of companies with headquarters or branches in Italy, or of representative offices of foreign companies whose main place of business is in a Member State of the World Trade Organization, or managers of the main Italian offices of Italian companies or of companies of another European Union Member State;
- exchange or native-speaker university language assistants;
- university professors who are to hold an academic post in Italy;
- translators and interpreters;
- domestic workers who have, for at least one year, been in a regular full-time domestic employment relationship abroad with Italian citizens or citizens of an EU Member State living abroad, and who are moving to Italy to continue that domestic employment;
- people authorised to stay for vocational training purposes who carry out temporary training periods with Italian employers;
- seafarers employed to the extent and in the manner laid down in the implementing regulation;
- employees regularly paid by employers (individuals or legal entities) resident or established abroad and paid directly by them, who are temporarily transferred from abroad to individuals or legal entities, Italian or foreign, resident in Italy, in order to carry out in Italy specific services under a service contract (contratto di appalto) entered into between those parties resident or established in Italy and those resident or established abroad, in compliance with Article 1655 of the Civil Code, Law no. 1369 of 23 October 1960 and international and EU rules;
- workers who, for at least twelve months within the forty-eight months preceding the application, have been employed by companies based in Italy, or by companies in which those companies hold an interest, as shown in the latest consolidated financial statements drawn up under Articles 25 and following of Legislative Decree no. 127 of 9 April 1991, operating in countries and territories outside the European Union, for the purpose of their employment at the Italian offices of those companies;
- workers employed by circuses or travelling shows abroad;
- artistic and technical staff for opera, theatre, concert or ballet performances;
- dancers, artists and musicians to be employed at entertainment venues;
- artists to be employed by music, theatre or film organisations, by public or private radio or television companies, or by public bodies, as part of cultural or folk events;
- foreign nationals who are to carry out any kind of professional sporting activity with Italian sports clubs under Law no. 91 of 23 March 1981;
- officially accredited foreign correspondents in Italy who are regularly paid employees of daily or periodical press organisations or of foreign radio or television broadcasters;
- non-EU digital nomads and remote workers;
- people who, under international agreements in force for Italy, carry out research or occasional work in Italy as part of youth exchange or youth mobility programmes, or who are au pairs;
- professional nurses employed by public and private healthcare facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a self-employment visa for Italy?
Only the categories listed in the current Decreto Flussi, within the annual quotas: entrepreneurs investing at least €500,000 and creating three jobs, freelance professionals in regulated or listed professions, officers of qualifying companies, artists of clear international renown and founders of innovative start-ups under Law no. 221/2012.
What minimum income do I need for a self-employment residence permit?
You need an annual income from lawful sources at least equal to the minimum for exemption from healthcare co-payments, around €8,400. It cannot be shown with a bank guarantee or a surety bond, because the authorities want proof that you are self-sufficient even if the new activity earns little.
How long are the certificates and nulla osta valid?
The authorisations, the Chamber of Commerce or professional body certificate and the nulla osta are all valid for only three months. You therefore need to obtain them quickly and submit your application to the Italian Consulate or, if you are already in Italy, to the Prefettura within that period.
Can I convert another residence permit into a self-employment permit?
Yes. If you are already in Italy on another basis, you submit the documents to the Prefettura through the Ministry of the Interior’s Portale ALI. Converting an existing permit is generally easier than entering with a self-employment visa, because conversions are not subject to the Decreto Flussi quota limits.
How much does the self-employment residence permit cost?
The first issue, valid for two years, costs €30.46 for the electronic permit, a €50.00 contribution, €30.00 for sending the kit postale and €16.00 for the marca da bollo. The same costs generally apply to renewal, as for most residence permits.
Official sources
- Legislative Decree no. 286/1998 (Testo Unico Immigrazione), Art. 26 – Normattiva
- Presidential Decree no. 394/1999, Art. 39 – Normattiva
- Portale ALI – Ministry of the Interior
These sources were consulted on 15 October 2026. Rules, quotas and fees can change, so always check the latest instructions from the competent office (Consulate, Prefettura or Questura).
How can SH Immigration Specialists help?
We can assess whether your activity fits one of the Decreto Flussi categories or whether a conversion from your current permit is the better route, check your income and accommodation documents, and help you prepare the file for the Chamber of Commerce, the Questura, the Prefettura or the Consulate. The outcome depends on the competent authorities. For an assessment, contact us.
This content provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
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