It’s true that Milan, and Italy in general, has been attracting increasing numbers of foreign professionals, entrepreneurs, and remote workers, and this is largely due to favourable tax incentives and relatively accessible immigration pathways. Here’s a quick breakdown of why many are making the move:

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Attractive Tax Regimes

Italy has introduced several tax regimes to attract wealthy individuals, remote workers, and retirees:

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Flat Tax for New Residents

• High-net-worth individuals can pay a flat €100,000/year tax on all foreign income.
• Available for those who haven't been tax residents in Italy for at least 9 of the previous 10 years.

Inpatriate Regime

• Aimed at professionals moving to Italy for work.
• Offers a 70%–90% tax exemption on income for up to 10 years (conditions apply).
• This is a huge draw for remote workers, tech talent, and corporate executives.

Retiree Incentives

• Some southern regions offer a 7% flat tax for foreign retirees on pensions, lasting for 9 years.

Immigration & Residency

Italy offers a variety of residence permits, many of which are being modernised:

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Elective Residency Visa

• Popular with retirees and self-sufficient individuals.
• Requires proof of sufficient passive income (not for work).

Freelance/Self-Employed Visa

• Available to those working remotely or freelancing, though it requires specific documents and can be a bit bureaucratic.

Golden Visa (Investor Visa)

• For those investing a minimum of €250,000–€2 million in Italian companies or bonds.

Digital Nomad Visa (Expected or recently introduced)

• Italy announced plans for a Digital Nomad Visa, which would make it easier for remote workers to reside legally in Italy without going through a work sponsor.

Milan in Particular

• Milan is Italy’s economic and financial capital, and its cosmopolitan, international environment makes it especially attractive.
• It’s home to major companies, luxury brands, tech startups, and financial institutions.
• It has a high quality of life, good healthcare, strong infrastructure, and is well-connected to the rest of Europe.

Have questions about your immigration options? Our team is here to help. Contact us today for expert guidance and personalized support throughout your immigration journey.

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📞Phone: +44 (0) 20 3318 5794📧 Email: londoninfo@hudsonmckenzie.com