Pontremoli runs a free coworking program where the Municipality provides a 15th-century hall, fiber internet included, and local volunteers help you find a flat. The project is called Start Working. It launched in October 2020, run by Start Working Pontremoli APS with backing from the town council. There is no day rate and no membership fee.
The space is at Via dei Mille 18, in the centre of Pontremoli — ergonomic workstations, fiber connection, and dedicated areas for calls, inside a hall that has been standing since the 1400s.
What the Program Actually Offers
The coworking space is the starting point, not the whole offer. Before committing to anything, the team invites you to Pontremoli for a free welcome day — walk the town, meet other remote workers, see whether it suits you. If you decide to stay for a month, a season, or longer, volunteers help with flat-hunting and introductions to the community.
Since October 2020, 66 people — Italian and international, from the USA, New Zealand, Spain, and Brazil among other countries — have relocated here. Eighteen are now permanent residents. Six families have bought homes in Pontremoli; three more are in the process of doing so.
Where Pontremoli Sits
Pontremoli is in Lunigiana, a historic territory on the border of Tuscany, Liguria, and Emilia-Romagna. It is not a remote village — it has a train station, a hospital, a cinema, schools, and a proper high street. The town sits on the Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome.
Parma is about an hour by road across the Apennines — useful if you want a larger city for meetings, a direct train connection north, or an afternoon in a place with some of Italy’s best food. Cinque Terre and La Spezia are about 45 minutes southwest.
What Pontremoli Is Actually Like
Pontremoli has a medieval core and a castle — Castello del Piagnaro, which houses the Museo delle Statue Stele, a collection of prehistoric stone figures found nowhere else in Italy. The food culture is strong: truffles are hunted in the hills above town in autumn, Lunigiana produces Italy’s only DOP honey, and testaroli — a crepe-pasta unique to this corner of northern Tuscany — is on every local table.
Rents typically run €300–500 a month for a one-bedroom flat — a fraction of what you would pay in Bologna, Parma, or Florence.
How to Apply
There is no formal application form. Email the team, tell them who you are and what you do, and arrange a visit.
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: start-working.it/en
- Coworking address: Via dei Mille 18, 54027 Pontremoli (MS)
- Cost: Free — funded by the Municipality of Pontremoli
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the coworking space in Pontremoli really free?
Yes. The Municipality of Pontremoli funds and provides the space at Via dei Mille 18. No membership fee, no day rate. Fiber internet is included.
How do I join the Start Working program?
Email [email protected], tell them who you are and what work you do, and arrange a visit. The first step is a free welcome day in Pontremoli — no commitment required.
How far is Pontremoli from Parma?
Approximately 60–70km by road across the Apennines — around one hour’s drive. There is no direct train; most people drive or combine trains via La Spezia.
Do I need a visa to work remotely from Pontremoli?
EU citizens can work remotely from Italy without an additional visa. Non-EU citizens working for a non-Italian employer may qualify for Italy’s Digital Nomad Visa, which allows up to one year of residence.
What is the internet like in Pontremoli?
The coworking space runs on fiber provided by the Municipality. Internet in the town centre is reliable; speeds in rural areas outside town vary.
Is Pontremoli a good base for day trips?
Yes. Cinque Terre and La Spezia are about 45 minutes away. Parma is around an hour by road. Florence is roughly two hours by train via Pisa.
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