M. Fusaro

In recent years, freelancing in Italy has experienced significant growth, more and more professionals are choosing to work independently to have greater flexibility and control over their careers. However, the Italian landscape presents several challenges: bureaucracy can be complex, taxation requires careful management, and finding consistent clients isn’t always easy. Despite these obstacles, freelancing is becoming an increasingly attractive option for skilled professionals, especially in fields where remote work is common such as Business Intelligence (BI), companies across industries are relying more on data analysis to drive strategic decisions, opening up new opportunities for BI specialists. If you’re considering starting a freelance career in Italy, it’s essential to understand how the system works. Here are some useful resources: How to open Partita IVA More Complete Guide If you are not italian In Italy, working as a freelancer means opening a Partita IVA (VAT Number), which is the equivalent of being a sole proprietor or self-employed professional in other countries. There are two main tax regimes to choose from: Flat-Rate Regime (Regime Forfettario) This is the simplest and most tax-efficient option for new freelancers, provided they meet certain requirements: Annual revenue limit: Cannot exceed €85,000 per year Taxation: Fixed at 15% on taxable income (reduced to 5% for the first 5 years for new businesses) No VAT application: Invoices do not include VAT Limited deductible expenses: You cannot deduct business expenses (such as software, hardware, training, etc.) Restrictions on collaborations: Cannot hire employees or be part of partnerships This regime is great for those starting out but may not be suitable if you have high expenses or expect to exceed the revenue limit quickly. Ordinary Tax Regime (Regime Ordinario) If your revenue grows or you need to deduct significant business costs, this regime is more appropriate: No income limit: Suitable for high earners Progressive taxation: Based on standard IRPEF (income tax) brackets, starting from 23% and going up to 43% VAT management required: You need to charge and pay VAT Full deductibility of expenses: Business costs (e.g., training, tools, office rent) can be deducted Complex accounting: Usually requires an accountant for proper tax management Choosing the right regime is crucial for optimizing your earnings, many freelancers start with the forfettario regime and switch to the ordinario regime as their business scales. Pro and Cons of Partita IVA Becoming a freelancer isn’t just about working independently it requires a completely different mindset and financial planning. Unlike an employee, you don’t receive a guaranteed salary at the end of the month, instead, your income depends on your ability to find and manage clients effectively. Here are the main changes you’ll experience as a freelancer: Variable income: Some months will be highly profitable, while others may be slower. Financial planning is essential.Tax management: You must set aside money for taxes and social security contributions (INPS).No paid vacations or sick leave: If you don’t work, you don’t get paid.Client acquisition is key: You need to invest time in networking and personal branding.Total flexibility: You decide which projects to take on, how to work, and when to work. Freelancing offers independence, but it’s not for everyone, the most successful freelancers are those who actively seek opportunities, market themselves well, and constantly update their skills. Business Intelligence with Partita IVA One of the best fields to freelance in today is Business Intelligence (BI), companies of all sizes need data analysis, reporting, and strategic insights to remain competitive, as a freelancer in BI, you can provide custom solutions that help businesses make data-driven decisions. High demand: Businesses actively seek professionals skilled in Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Python, and Excel to manage their data.Remote work potential: Many companies are open to fully remote BI professionals, expanding job opportunities even internationally.Diverse projects: You can work with startups, mid-sized businesses, or multinational corporations, gaining a variety of experiences.Competitive rates: Skilled BI freelancers can charge €300-€700 per day, depending on expertise and project complexity.Growing industry: Data-driven decision-making is becoming a priority across industries, ensuring long-term demand for BI expertise. A good start for a BI Freelancer Start with small projects: Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal can help you land your first clients. Build a portfolio: Showcase your work through case studies and a professional website. Expand your network: Join LinkedIn groups, attend BI webinars, and engage with professionals in the industry. Stay updated: New tools and technologies emerge regularly continuous learning is key. If you have a strong background in data analysis and visualization, freelancing in Business Intelligence can be a highly profitable and satisfying career move, many professionals start freelancing while still employed, testing the waters before going fully independent.