Travel Visa Requirements For Italy

Italy is a popular destination for tourists, but does it require a travel visa? The answer depends on where you are travelling from and how long you plan to stay.

For EU citizens and citizens of countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement, a valid identity card is sufficient to enter Italy, and there is no need for a passport or visa. However, for citizens from non-EU countries, a passport valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen Area is required. In addition, a visa may be necessary for some nationalities. This can be requested from the Italian Embassy or Consulate and generally takes 90 days to be issued.

From 2025, citizens of eligible countries will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before travelling to Italy. This will be an online application and will cost around $7-10 per person. The ETIAS will be valid for three years or until passport expiration, whichever comes first. It is important to note that this is not a traditional visa, but rather a visa waiver that will be used in conjunction with a traveller's passport.

For US citizens, currently, no visa is required for stays under 90 days, and a valid US passport is sufficient for entry. However, all non-residents, including US citizens, are required to complete a 'dichiarazione di presenza' (declaration of presence) upon arrival. This can be obtained by getting a stamp in their passport at the airport or by submitting a form to the local police office within eight days of arrival.

Do US citizens need a visa to enter Italy?

US citizens do not currently need a visa to enter Italy for stays under 90 days. However, from 2025, US citizens will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before travelling to Italy.

Current Entry Requirements for US Citizens

US citizens can enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. They will, however, need to complete a 'declaration of presence' (dichiarazione di presenza). This is the stamp placed in their passport upon arrival at the airport. If US citizens enter Italy from a Schengen country and are not staying in an accommodation facility, they must submit a 'declaration of presence' form to the local police office, police headquarters, or their place of stay within eight days of arrival. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from Italy.

ETIAS Requirements

From 2025, US citizens will need to apply for the ETIAS before travelling to Italy. The ETIAS will be introduced by the European Union for all Schengen area member countries. Travellers will need to complete an online application form and provide personal and passport details, as well as answering a series of security questions. A valid passport, credit or debit card, and proof of travel insurance will be required. The ETIAS will be valid for three years or until the passport expiration date, whichever comes first.

What is the ETIAS?

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It was announced by the European Commission in November 2016 and implemented into legislation in September 2018. The system was formed to improve the security of EU member states within the Schengen region by capturing data on travellers who currently visit the area without a visa.

The ETIAS will pre-screen travellers from "third countries", who are citizens of countries that don't need a Schengen Visa. The screening will relate to terrorism or migration-related risks, with the objective of identifying individuals who pose security threats before they are able to travel to the Schengen area.

ETIAS is not a visa, but a visa waiver, similar to the U.S. ESTA and Canadian eTA. From 2025 onwards, travellers currently visiting European Member countries visa-free will require an ETIAS. Passport holders of the EU single market are exempt from ETIAS.

The ETIAS is relevant to travellers who travel visa-free to EU member states. The application process is aimed at taking approximately 10 minutes or less. The types of information requested include:

• Biometric and personal data such as name, date of birth and gender
• Applicant contact details such as home address and email address
• Education history
• Travel document information, such as a passport or other document
• Current occupation or job, including title and contact details
• First EU member state of arrival
• Background questions relating to previous criminal activity, drug use, travel to conflict zones, and immigration history

The ETIAS fee charged on applications for travellers between the ages of 18 and 70 is €7. There is no fee for travellers under the age of 18 or over the age of 70. A valid ETIAS travel authorisation is linked to the applicant's passport and has its own unique application number. An ETIAS will be valid for three years or until the date of passport or travel document expiry, whichever date comes first.

What is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area is a borderless zone that guarantees free movement to over 400 million EU citizens, as well as non-EU nationals living in the EU or visiting for tourism, exchange studies, or business purposes. It covers over 4 million square kilometres and includes 27 countries:

• 23 of the 27 EU member states
• All members of the European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland
• Croatia, which joined on 1 January 2023

The Schengen Area was established by the Schengen Agreement, signed in the small village of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985. This agreement gradually expanded and now forms the largest free travel area in the world.

The set of rules governing the Schengen Area is called the Schengen Borders Code. This code allows people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls. However, in exceptional circumstances, such as responding to a serious threat or a health crisis, border controls can be temporarily reintroduced.

The benefits of the Schengen Area are significant, with around 3.5 million people crossing internal borders daily for work, study, or leisure. It also greatly benefits the tourism and cultural sectors, with Europeans making an estimated 1.25 billion journeys within the area each year.

To enter the Schengen Area, travellers need a valid passport with a minimum validity period. They may also need to provide proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket. Additionally, they must complete a declaration of presence (dichiarazione di presenza) upon arrival. This declaration can be obtained through a stamp in their passport when entering from a non-Schengen country, or by requesting a form from the local authorities when arriving from another Schengen country.

US citizens, in particular, do not currently need a visa to enter Italy or any other Schengen country for stays under 90 days. From 2025, however, they will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before travelling to any Schengen member country.

What is a 'declaration of presence'?

The Italian Declaration of Presence is a requirement for non-EU citizens travelling to Italy for tourism, business, or study purposes. It is a temporary residence permit that serves as a means of notifying Italian authorities of the arrival of foreigners to the country.

The declaration of presence was introduced by Law 68 of May 28, 2007, which modified the existing rules of the Residence Permit and simplified the requirements for short-term travellers.

Who needs to submit a declaration of presence?

The declaration of presence must be completed by travellers who meet the following criteria:

• Non-EU citizens
• Travelling to Italy for tourism, business, or study purposes
• Staying in Italy for less than three months

How to submit a declaration of presence

There are three ways to submit a declaration of presence, depending on the traveller's point of entry into the Schengen area and their accommodation:

• Entry into the Schengen area via Italy: Foreigners entering the Schengen area directly through Italy will receive a Schengen stamp on their travel document when passing through border police controls. No further action is required.
• Entry into the Schengen area via another Schengen country: Travellers entering the Schengen area through another country have eight days from their arrival to declare their presence at the local Questura (Police Headquarters). They must fill out a dedicated form with their personal information, identification document details, and trip details.
• Entry into Italy via a Schengen country, with accommodation at a lodging facility: Travellers who enter the Schengen area through another country and then arrive in Italy to stay at a lodging facility do not need to go to the Questura. The lodging facility will communicate the traveller's information to the local authorities within 24 hours of their arrival.

Failure to comply with the declaration of presence requirement can result in expulsion from Italy or a fine ranging from €5,000 to €10,000.

What documents do I need to enter Italy?

The documentation required to enter Italy varies according to your country of origin. Here is a list of what documents you may need to enter Italy:

For EU citizens and citizens of countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement:

A valid identity card is sufficient as an alternative to a passport.

For citizens from non-EU countries:

• A passport valid for at least three months after the planned date of departure from the Schengen Area.
• A visa, which can be requested from the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. It will generally be issued after 90 days.
• A "dichiarazione di presenza" or "declaration of presence". Tourists arriving from a non-Schengen-country should obtain a stamp in their passport at the airport on the day of arrival. This stamp is considered the equivalent of the declaration of presence. Tourists arriving from a Schengen-country must request the declaration of presence form from a local police office, police headquarters, or their place of stay and submit the form to the police or their place of stay within eight business or calendar days of arrival. Failure to complete a declaration of presence is punishable by expulsion from Italy.
• Travel insurance is recommended to cover any delays, cancellations, or health problems.
• Screenshots or PDF copies of bookings for flights, hotels, or other documents on your phone.
• Sufficient funds for your stay.
• A return plane ticket.

Please note that these requirements may change, and it is recommended to check the latest official information before travelling to Italy.

Frequently asked questions