For some time now I have been meaning to write this short article that is the result of the time in which we live. It happens more and more often in fact to meet young web professionals (creators, influencers, softwarists, developers of web advertising campaigns etc etc). Professions as already anticipated that only in this recent era could arise and establish themselves. The development of such professions not linked to a specific territory can be placed in a broader context related to migration flows between countries. Let us consider Italy:

In the last ten years (period 2012-2021), 239,000 young people in the 25-34 age group (5.3 percent of the population in that age group) were lost-because they emigrated abroad-of which, 79,000 with low education (middle school license); 86,000 with medium education (diploma); and 74,000 with high education (bachelor’s degree). The cost to Italy of this flight is estimated at a few billion.

However, Istat has pointed out that during the pandemic period there was also a certain backflow, due precisely to the cultural and social changes that the health emergency brought about for the purposes of evaluating the work-life balance and in terms of choices geared toward a better quality of life.

In fact, in recent years there has been a marked reduction in expatriates compared to the other years of the decade analyzed, and in 2021 there was an increase in returns compared to the previous year (a plus 20 percent compared to 2020, also aided by Brexit). The total number of returns in the decade analyzed turns out to be 94,000 in the same age group. However, the difference between expatriates and returnees is still in negative balance, with the number of expatriates still clearly dominating.

In this scenario, the phenomenon of so-called “digital nomads” is also well understood. That is, of those who choose to spend some years of their lives – usually at the beginning of their careers, when they are not yet pressed by commitments and/or stable family ties – moving between one country and another, working mostly remotely.

Italy, like other European countries that left during the pandemic precisely to encourage the entry of (mostly digital) talent into their country, has special legislation directed at encouraging entry for work by facilitating entry from non-EU countries. The procedure for facilitating repatriation, however, is linked to proof of engaging in high-skill employment. Such evidence is understandably, hostile and complex to prove.

What alternatives? Romanian legislation on micro business (turnover within 500,000 euros per year) is very attractive for these professionals, and in particular the micro business regime allows at the corporate tax level to apply the 3 percent rate on total turnover.

So what to do? The digital nomad could set up an LLC under the micro regime in Romania; pay only 3 percent tax on turnover (not exceeding 500 k euros annually as already written), acquire tax residence in Romania (a few hours by plane from Italy) and consequently receive dividends net of the 8 percent withholding (plus a small health care contribution).

If you add to this tax-advantage regime the first-rate IT infrastructure and the excellent airport logistics of Bucharest and other Romanian cities, it is safe to say that Romania (an EU country therefore with no visa requirements and soon to be in the Schengen area) ranks in the top ranks of attractiveness for these professionals in the entire European landscape. A real paradise within reach.

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