Work Rent-Free In Italy? New Visa Makes It Possible

In a global workforce where remote work is more popular than ever, the competition is fierce among destinations vying for the attention of digital nomads. One village, located on the Italian island of Sardinia, is taking a unique approach to attracting wandering workers.  

According to a recent article by Travel + Leisure, the village of Ollolai, located in the heart of Sardinia, is offering a special digital nomad visa called the “Work from Ollolai” program.  

Initiated by the municipality, the program aims to attract experienced professionals to work from the village without paying rent. According to Travel + Leisure, the only payment required is €1. In exchange, the village expects visa holders to share their professional expertise with the local community. The overarching goal of the program is to foster an exchange of knowledge between the growing global and digital workforce with more rural communities — thereby enhancing opportunities for locals to learn about digital professions, remote work, and cultural exchange. 

CNBC reports that Ollolai has allocated over $20,000 to host 30 remote workers over the coming years. To be eligible, applicants must have multiple years of experience in fields like technology, media, finance, real estate, and architecture. The village is also keen on hosting artists, writers, musicians, scientists, and academics who can contribute through lectures, presentations, or community projects.  

Each nomad will be provided with a one or two-bedroom home for a month. However, there’s a major catch that might be challenging for some digital nomads: Ollolai doesn’t offer high-speed internet. Digital Nomads interested in the program are advised to use e-sims for high-speed connectivity via Italian mobile networks. 

Ollolai’s initiative is a unique effort to stimulate the local economy and foster global relationships. In 2023, remote work has become more prevalent than ever, and such innovative international programs might become more commonplace in the coming years.