Cost of Relocating to Italy from Nigeria: ₦3,349,431–₦17,476,120

Relocating to Italy from Nigeria costs between ₦3,500,000 and ₦18,000,000 ($2,300–$12,000 USD) in 2026, depending on your visa pathway and destination city. Italy offers one of Europe’s most affordable entry points through its quota-based work visa system (Decreto Flussi), EU Blue Card for skilled workers, and a new Digital Nomad Visa launched in 2024. With over 119,000 Nigerians already living in Italy — the third-largest Nigerian diaspora in the world — and public university tuition as low as €900/year, Italy combines Southern European lifestyle with surprisingly accessible immigration pathways.

Visa Options for Italy

Student Route to Italy

Top Cities in Italy for Nigerians

Insider Tips for Relocating to Italy

Your Relocation Checklist

1. 1

   Get CIMEA credential evaluation of your Nigerian degree (€150, 60 working days)

   Submit your Nigerian qualifications to CIMEA (Centro Informazioni Mobilità Equivalenze Accademiche) for a Statement of Comparability through their DiploMe platform. This takes 60 working days standard or 30 days with the urgent procedure (€100 extra). Required for work visas and university applications.

2. 2

   Secure a job offer or university admission in Italy

   For work visas, your Italian employer must apply for the nulla osta through the Decreto Flussi quota system or EU Blue Card route. For students, obtain an admission letter from an Italian university. Digital nomad applicants need proof of remote employment or freelance contracts.

3. 3

   Arrange health insurance with €30,000 minimum coverage

   All visa applicants need health insurance valid across Schengen countries with at least €30,000 coverage for medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation. Workers with Italian contracts will later get free SSN enrollment, but insurance is needed for the visa application.

4. 4

   Apply for Type D visa at Italian Consulate in Lagos (€116)

   Submit your visa application at the Italian Consulate General in Lagos via TLScontact. Bring your nulla osta (for workers), admission letter (for students), or income proof (for digital nomads). The visa fee is €116 for all Type D categories. Processing takes 4–8 weeks.

5. 5

   Apply for Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days of arrival

   After entering Italy, you must apply for your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the local Questura (immigration police) within 8 working days. Bring your visa, passport, health insurance, and accommodation proof. Processing takes 60–90 days; you’ll receive a receipt to use as temporary proof of legal residence.

6. 6

   Register with SSN or arrange private health coverage

   Workers with Italian contracts get mandatory free SSN enrollment at their local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale). Students can voluntarily enroll in SSN for ~€2,000/year or maintain private insurance. Digital nomads and elective residence holders must maintain private insurance.

7. 7

   Open an Italian bank account and register at your local Comune

   Open a bank account (Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, or Poste Italiane are common choices). Register your residence at the Anagrafe (civil registry) of your local Comune — this is required for many services including SSN enrollment. Bring your permesso di soggiorno receipt, rental contract, and passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to relocate from Nigeria to Italy?

The total cost of relocating from Nigeria to Italy ranges from ₦3,500,000 to ₦18,000,000 ($2,300–$12,000 USD) in 2026, depending on your visa route and destination city. Italy is one of the more affordable European destinations for Nigerians. The national D visa fee is €116 (~$126 USD / ~₦189,000) for all long-stay visa types. CIMEA credential evaluation costs €150 (~$163 USD / ~₦244,500) and takes 60 working days. Workers with Italian contracts get free enrollment in the public healthcare system (SSN), so there’s no separate health surcharge like the UK’s IHS. The biggest variable is your destination city: Milan is 15–20% more expensive than Rome or Bologna. One-way flights from Lagos start at $480–$550. The Decreto Flussi work visa route has the lowest fees but requires an Italian employer to secure a quota slot. Use the Japa Calculator to get a personalised cost estimate for your specific situation.

Can Nigerians get a work visa for Italy in 2026?

Yes, and 2026 is a strong year for it. Italy’s Decreto Flussi (flow decree) for 2026–2028 authorises nearly 500,000 work visas over three years, with 164,850 slots in 2026 alone — 76,850 for non-seasonal work and 88,000 for seasonal jobs in agriculture and tourism. Your Italian employer must apply for a nulla osta (work authorisation) through the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione. Applications open on specific ‘click days’ and slots fill fast, so your employer needs to be ready. The nulla osta must be issued within 30 days (a legal maximum set by the 2025 law) and is valid for 6 months. After receiving it, you apply for your D visa at the Italian Consulate in Lagos (€116 fee). Separately, the EU Blue Card route is quota-exempt and ideal for skilled workers with a degree and a job offer paying at least €35,000/year (or ~€28,000 for shortage sectors like IT and healthcare). Both routes give you access to Italy’s free public healthcare system.

What is the Italy Digital Nomad Visa and how do Nigerians apply?

Italy launched its Digital Nomad Visa in April 2024, making it one of Europe’s newest remote work destinations. To qualify, you must earn at least €28,000/year (~$30,520 USD / ~₦45.8M) from remote work for non-Italian companies or clients — this is set at three times the minimum income threshold for Italian healthcare exemption. Passive income (rent, dividends, stocks) does not count; only active remote work income qualifies. You need at least 6 months of prior work experience, health insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage across all Schengen countries, and proof of accommodation in Italy. Apply at the Italian Consulate in Lagos with the standard €116 D visa fee. The visa is valid for 1 year and renewable annually. After arriving, you must visit the local Questura within 8 working days to apply for your permesso di soggiorno (residence permit). Italy offers an incredible quality of life for remote workers — cities like Bologna offer all-in monthly costs of €1,500–€2,000, far cheaper than London or Dublin.

How much is rent in Italy for Nigerians relocating?

Rent varies significantly by city. According to Numbeo (March 2026), a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs €1,472/month in Milan, €1,160 in Rome, and €911 in Bologna. Moving outside the city centre drops prices considerably: €1,033 in Milan, €812 in Rome, and €754 in Bologna. For context, these are 30–60% cheaper than London and 50–70% cheaper than New York. First-time renters in Italy should know: landlords typically require a deposit of 2–3 months’ rent upfront, and rental contracts (contratto di affitto) must be registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate. Many Nigerian newcomers start in shared apartments (stanze in condivisione) at €400–€600/month, which is common and socially acceptable in Italy, especially in university cities like Bologna. Facebook groups for Nigerian expats in Italy are excellent resources for finding flatmates and verified landlords.

Can I study in Italy cheaply as a Nigerian?

Yes — Italy has some of Europe’s lowest tuition fees for international students. Public universities charge €900–€4,000/year for non-EU students, and many use income-based fee calculations where students from lower-income countries pay reduced rates. Sapienza University of Rome can cost as little as €300–€1,500/year depending on your family income, while Politecnico di Milano charges ~€3,900–€4,000/year for engineering and design programmes. Private universities are more expensive: Bocconi costs €17,000–€18,500/year. The student visa financial requirement is €6,947.33/year (~$7,572 USD / ~₦11.4M), proven through a bank letter on letterhead. You can work up to 20 hours/week (1,040 hours/year) alongside your studies. After graduating, the ‘permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione’ gives you 12 months to find employment in Italy. The DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) offers grants covering tuition, accommodation, and meal vouchers — both EU and non-EU students are eligible. Apply early; these grants are competitive.

How much does it cost to study in Italy from Nigeria?

Tuition fees for Nigerian students range from €900–€4,000/year (public), €17,000–€18,500/year (private) (₦1,470,000–₦6,540,000/year (public), ₦27,795,000–₦30,247,500/year (private)). On top of tuition, you need to show €6,947.33/year financial requirement (~$7,572 USD), proven via bank letter on letterhead with wet signature for living expenses. Popular student cities include Milan, Rome, Bologna, Turin, Padua. The student visa type is the Student Visa (Type D) + Permesso di Soggiorno per Attesa Occupazione.

Can Nigerian students work in Italy?

Yes. On a Student Visa (Type D) + Permesso di Soggiorno per Attesa Occupazione, Nigerian students can work 20 hours/week during term (1,040 hours/year maximum), up to 40 hours/week during official university breaks. After graduation, Permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione — 12-month post-study job-seeking permit, then convert to work permit (subject to Decreto Flussi quotas or EU Blue Card route). This work experience can be your bridge to permanent residency or a longer-term work visa.

How Italy Compares

Scroll right to see all countries →

Similar Destinations

Compare Other Destinations

Exploring your options? See how Italy compares to other popular destinations from Nigeria.