Visas and Passports

What You Need for Visiting Italy

Do You Need a Visa to Go to Italy?

Whether or not you need a visa to enter Italy depends on your country of citizenship. Visitors from some countries are required to get a visa before traveling to Italy.

Currently, most citizens of countries outside the European Union, including the United States, are required to have a visa to work or study in Italy or to stay longer than 90 days (out of 180 days) in the Schengen visa zone, but don’t need one for a vacation lasting less than 90 days. If you are visiting more than one of the 26 European countries in the Schengen visa zone you don’t need a visa for each country.

Check these sites for current requirements for your country of citizenship:

If you need a visa, you’ll need to apply through the Italian consulate closest to you. Be sure to apply for your visa far enough in advance of when you plan to travel as you will have to send in your passport and wait to get it back. Keep copies of all documents and forms you turn in with your application and bring them with you when you travel.

  • Beginning in 2024, citizens of non-EU countries (including the US, Canada, and Australia) who don’t need a travel visa will need a travel authorization to visit any of the countries in the Schengen zone. Called the ETIAS, application is done on line and once approved, it’s good for 3 years. See ETIAS News and Information for details. This site is only for news and information, not for applying. We’ll update with an application link when it becomes available.

Information for US Passport Holders Going to Italy

No matter what country you are from, you need a valid passport to enter Italy. Anyone going to Italy from the United States now needs a passport that’s good for at least 6 months from their departure date (prior to 2016 it was only 3 months). If you’re planning to go to Italy, or anywhere in Europe, check your passport to be sure it’s current far in advance of your trip. It could take up to 12 weeks to renew your passport (in 2023) unless you pay extra for expedited processing which could take up to 9 weeks. Here’s how to renew your passport.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re in Italy, here’s how to replace your passport in Italy.

Protect your passport, cash, and credit cards by using a neck pouch or money belt such as these:

This post may contain affiliate links to sites I believe are of benefit to travelers. There is no cost to you but the small amount of revenue helps defer the cost of bringing you this free information.


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Visas and Passports originally appeared on MarthasItaly.com , updated: Jul 15, 2023.