How does Self-Employment Visa (Lavoro Autonomo) work in Italy, and who qualifies?

This route lets non-EU nationals work independently in Italy — as freelancers, licensed professionals, entrepreneurs, artisans or company officers. The catch is that it runs through the small self-employment quota within the Decreto Flussi, so you must secure a place within the annual allocation, and you need a nulla osta from the Questura of your intended province of residence before applying for the visa.

You will also need to show qualifications, registrations or licences appropriate to your activity — for regulated professions, for example, enrolment with the relevant professional order — along with evidence of adequate income and suitable accommodation in Italy. Because the self-employment quota is limited, timing and preparation matter a great deal.

If your work is innovative and scalable, the Italia Startup Visa can be a quota-free alternative worth considering. Quotas and conditions change each cycle, so confirm the current position on interno.gov.it. ACME can help you assess whether the self-employment quota or the startup route fits your plans and prepare the supporting documents.