Client story
Client's Story
Where they started
The client relocated to Italy on a digital nomad visa and, after living in the country, realized he wanted to stay permanently and long-term. The nomad visa was poorly suited for this: it is tied to remote employment and a specific income threshold, requires regular renewal, and is not designed as a sustainable pathway to permanent residence. Any change in work situation weakens the basis for residence.
Why the standard route did not work
He needed a status based not on his current employment contract but on investment in the country. Italy offers an Investment Residence Permit (Investor Visa for Italy) for this purpose—a separate pathway where the basis is an economic contribution rather than remote employment. It is more stable, designed for long-term residence, and better aligns with a plan to "live in Italy for years and work toward permanent residence."
What BRIDGES had to solve
The advantage of the investment pathway is its model: approval first, then investment. The client first obtains preliminary approval (Nulla Osta) for the chosen investment type, and only then makes the actual investment. This eliminates the risk of "investing without obtaining status": the investment is made under an approved pathway.
Why a standard answer would not do
At BRIDGES, we executed the transition carefully: we selected the appropriate investment type, obtained preliminary approval (Nulla Osta), and processed the investment residence permit, transitioning our client from an unstable nomad visa to a secure status. Now his residence in Italy does not depend on whether he currently has a remote employment contract.
I arrived in Italy as a digital nomad, and then realized I wanted to stay permanently. But the nomad visa is tied to remote work and income, requires constant renewal, and does not genuinely lead to permanent residence. BRIDGES suggested transitioning to an investment residence permit: the status is based on investment in the country, not on my contract. The advantage is that approval comes first, then the investment—I didn't risk investing money in vain. They identified the right investment type, obtained Nulla Osta, and processed the residence permit. Now I live in Italy confidently, and my status does not depend on whether I currently have clients.
