Traveling To Italy: Understanding Visa Requirements

Italy is a member of the Schengen Area, which allows citizens of certain countries to enter Italy without a visa. US citizens are currently exempt from obtaining a visa to Italy and can visit Italy without a visa for up to 90 days. However, from 2025, US citizens will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to travel to Italy visa-free. This will be a simple online registration form, costing €7, and will be valid for 3 years or until passport expiration, whichever is sooner.

US citizens can visit Italy without a visa for up to 90 days

US citizens who wish to stay in Italy for more than 90 days will need to obtain a permit of stay ('permesso di soggiorno') and will be considered residents. This process can take several weeks, so it is recommended to apply well in advance. To gain resident status, Americans already in Italy without a visa will need to leave the country and obtain a visa before returning.

From 2025, US citizens travelling to Italy will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) prior to their trip. The ETIAS is a travel authorisation that will be required for all Schengen area member countries. To obtain an ETIAS, travellers must provide personal and passport details and answer security questions. A valid ETIAS will allow its holder to travel to any Schengen country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

From 2025, US citizens will need to apply for ETIAS to travel visa-free

Italy is a popular European destination for American travellers. Currently, US citizens can visit Italy without a visa for up to 90 days. However, from 2025, US citizens will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to continue travelling to Italy visa-free.

The ETIAS is an electronic travel authorisation that allows its holder to travel to Italy and other countries in the Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is important to note that ETIAS is not a visa, and it cannot be obtained at an embassy or consulate. The application for ETIAS must be completed online, and it will only take a few minutes to complete.

To be eligible for ETIAS, travellers must hold a valid passport from a visa-exempt country, have a debit or credit card, and a current email address. The ETIAS application will require travellers to provide essential personal details such as their full name, date and place of birth, contact information, passport number and nationality, as well as passport issuing and expiration dates. Travellers will also need to answer a series of security questions.

Once the application is submitted, the traveller's information will be checked against security databases. Provided there are no alerts, the ETIAS application will be approved, and the applicant will be notified by email. The ETIAS will then be linked to the applicant's passport, and they will be ready to travel to Italy.

It is important to note that ETIAS is valid for tourism, business, or short study courses in Italy. However, to work in Italy, a separate visa is required. Additionally, travel insurance is not a requirement for visa-free entry, but it is strongly recommended that all American travellers have adequate medical coverage and cancellation coverage before their trip.

The ETIAS application will be available online

Italy is part of the Schengen Area, which includes 27 countries in Europe that do not require passports for border crossings. From 2025, citizens of eligible countries will need to apply for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before travelling to Italy. The ETIAS application will be available online, via the official ETIAS website or mobile app. The application form will only take a few minutes to complete.

To apply, you will need a valid travel document or passport, and a payment card. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the expected date of departure and should not be older than 10 years. The ETIAS application will ask for basic personal details to establish your identity, including your full name, date and place of birth, contact information, passport number and nationality, and educational and occupational background. You will also be asked to select your destination country; if travelling to Italy, travellers should select Italy on their application.

The ETIAS application process includes a small fee of 7 euros, which can be paid online using a debit or credit card. The fee is non-refundable, even if the application is not approved. Once payment is completed, applicants will usually receive an approval within minutes. An approved ETIAS visa waiver will be valid for three consecutive years upon issuance, allowing for multiple entries into the Schengen countries, adhering to the 90/180 rule—no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.

The ETIAS will be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires

The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be mandatory for all "third country" nationals by 2025. A "third country" is any country that is neither a member of the European Union nor part of the Schengen Area. This means that third-country citizens will no longer be able to travel to and within Europe using just a valid passport, as is currently the case. Instead, they will need to complete an online application form seeking ETIAS approval for travel. The ETIAS will be valid for three years from the date of issue or until the associated passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that if your passport expires before the three-year period is up, your ETIAS will expire at the same time.

The ETIAS is an electronic attachment to your passport, confirming that you have been deemed suitable to enter the European area. It is not a physical piece of paper like a visa. The ETIAS is valid from the moment of approval and will remain so for a period of three years. However, as the ETIAS is linked to your passport, it is important to ensure that your passport is valid for the full duration of your stay and for longer than the ETIAS. If your ETIAS validity outlasts your passport, you will need to apply for a new passport and a new ETIAS, as the original approval cannot be transferred to the new passport.

The ETIAS will allow its holder to enter the EU or Schengen Area an unlimited number of times during the three-year validity period, as long as stays do not exceed a total of 90 days in any 180-day period. This means that visitors may remain in the EU and Schengen Area for a block of 90 consecutive days and must then leave and not return for another 90 days, i.e. when the 180-day period has passed. As long as the ETIAS and linked passport remain valid, there is no need to apply for a new ETIAS until the three-year period has expired.

The ETIAS is a new form of travel authorisation intended for short-term tourist or business visitors to Europe who are currently exempt from needing a visa. These visitors are from countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and dozens of other countries. The ETIAS is not a visa or residence permit. It is only for those who wish to visit Europe for a short period and will not allow you to work or study.

The ETIAS will allow multiple entries to Italy and other Schengen countries

Italy is a member of the Schengen area, which allows visitors to travel between member countries without a visa. However, from 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be introduced by the European Union for all Schengen area member countries. This means that citizens of countries who could previously travel to Italy without a visa will need to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization to visit Italy and other Schengen countries. The ETIAS will allow multiple entries to Italy and other Schengen countries for a total stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The ETIAS is an electronic system that will pre-screen travellers before they board a plane to the EU, improving border control and contributing to safer travels. To obtain an ETIAS, eligible travellers will need to provide personal and passport details and answer security questions. The ETIAS application form is available in all 24 official EU languages and can be completed in a few minutes. Applicants will need to have a valid passport and a debit or credit card to pay the EUR 7 application fee.

It's important to note that the ETIAS is not equivalent to a residence permit or a visa. It only allows travellers to enter and remain in the European countries requiring ETIAS for a short-term stay. For longer stays or to work or study in these countries, a separate visa may be required. Additionally, travellers should be aware that having a valid ETIAS does not automatically grant entry, and border guards may refuse entry based on national laws or security concerns.

The ETIAS travel authorization is valid for three years or until the traveller's passport expires, whichever comes first. This means that travellers can leave and return multiple times during this period, as long as they respect the overall limit of their authorized stay. However, it is important to use the same passport for travel that was used in the ETIAS application, as the information must match for entry into the Schengen area.

Frequently asked questions