Italy Visa & Entry Requirements - How to Apply for a Visa to Italy (2023)

The world’s seventh-largest economy, the Republic of Italy, is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 301,340km2 and a population of 60,483,973. It has emerged from the Roman Empire, which was one of the greatest European empires to have ever existed.

As a result, today the country is home to many castles and palaces, and a lot of buildings of various architectural styles, as Romanesque, Gothic, Mannerist, Baroque, and Neoclassical. Moreover, it has a coastline of 7,600 km, picturesque lakes, stunning cliffs, and many green national parks.

With all these natural and man-made wonders, Italy is a huge magnet for tourists. It is estimated that over 50 million tourists visit Italy each year. Tourism is crucial to Italy’s economy, providing more than 60% of the country’s national income.

World travellers wishing to enter Italy for short-stays can do so by obtaining a Schengen Visa to Italy, but not everyone needs a visa to enter Italy. In this article, you will find out if you belong to countries whose citizens need or don’t need a visa to visit Italy, as well as other entry and visa requirements.

San Marino and the Vatican City – two European microstates located within Italy – are considered part of the Schengen Area, although they did not officially sign the particular documents of the agreement. Besides, no border control is performed for the Schengen countries surrounding them.

Italy Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, Italy and the rest of the EU/Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020, on the recommendation of the EU Commission. In addition, entry restrictions to Italy are frequently changing based on the COVID-19 situation in other countries.

Read “Travelling to Italy Amid COVID-19 – Everything You Need to Know” to get the latest updates regardingItaly’s travel entry restrictions and other measures imposed by Italian authorities.

Italy Entry Requirements

All EU / EEA nationals will only need to present an identification document to enter Italy due to the common travel area of the Schengen Zone, part of which Italy is.

In the meantime, if you are a non-EU/EEA traveller wishing to visit Italy, San Marino or the Vatican, you will need to present the following at the Italian port of entry in order to be permitted to enter:

• A valid passport or travel document. Valid for at least three more months beyond their planned date of Exit from Schengen and issued within the last ten years.
• A visa – if they are subject to the Italian visa regime.

Other documents such as an invitation letter from an Italian host, proof you have the financial means for a trip to Italy or a round-trip ticket, may be required from you. For more information in this regard, contact the local consular services of Italy in your country of residence.

Moreover, the Italian border officer may ask you a few questions related to your trip to Italy, i.e.:

• What is your purpose for visiting Italy?
• How long do you intend to stay in Italy?
• Where are you going to stay in Italy? Etc.

Note that the Italian border police holds the final decision if you shall be permitted to enter Italy or not. If the Italian border officer concludes that you are no risk for Italy, upon checking your documents, you will be permitted to enter Italy, and thus the Schengen territory.

Please, make sure that the Italian border officer stamps your passport when you enter Italy. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from Italy.

Who Needs a Schengen Visa to Enter Italy?

You will need a short-stay visa to enter Italy and any other member country of the Schengen zoneif you belong to one of the following categories:

• You are the national of a third-world country that has not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states
• You are the national of a third-world country that has signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, but you were previously rejected from entering Italy or any other Schengen country.

What Documents Are Required When Applying for an Italian Schengen Visa?

The following documents are required for any short-term Italian Schengen visa application:

• Italian visa application form. Complete the form and then print it. Sign in at the end after you print it. Make sure the information you have given in this form complies with the information given in the rest of the required documents for an Italy visa.
• One passport-size picture. The picture must have been taken in the last six months and in compliance withItaly photograph visa requirements.
• Valid passport. You will need to submit your passport along with the rest of the visa-required documents. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages in order to affix the visa and:
  • It is not older than ten years.
  • Has a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Italy and the whole territory of Schengen.
• Your residence permit card along with a copy (if you are not a citizen of the country from which you are applying).
• Proof of accommodation:
  • Hotel reservation. (CheckBooking.comorHotelsCombined to find cheap hotels in Italy!)
  • If you have a host in Italy: Completed and signed copy of the sponsorship form along with a copy of the passport and the Italian residence permit card of your host (if applicable).
• Proof of travel (as applicable):
  • Round trip ticket, reservation, or flight itinerary.
  • Proof of the availability of personal transportation.
  • Ferry ticket.
• Schengen travel visa insurance. Health insurance for the whole territory of Italy and the Schengen Area. Minimal health insurance coverage for the Schengen Zone is €30,000.

Travel health insurance policies for foreigners visiting Italy that fulfil Italian Visa requirements can be purchased online from Europ Assistance or AXA Assistance. Travel insurance policies issued by both companies are accepted by Italian authorities worldwide.

• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Italy. The Italian authorities want you to prove you have the necessary financial means to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy. You will need to prove you have the following amount depending on the length of your stay.
  • Up to 5 days – The overall amount is 269.60€ per person and 212.81 per two and more persons.
  • 6-10 days – The daily amount is 44.93€ per person and 26.33€ per two and more persons.
  • 11-20 days – The overall amount is 51.64€ per person and 25.82€ per two and more persons, plus the daily amount is 36.67€ per person and 22.21€ per two and more persons.
  • Over 20 days – The overall amount is 206.58€ per person and 118.79€ per two and more persons, plus the daily amount is 27.89€ per person and 17.04€ per two and more persons.
• Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc. Civil status documents should not be older than six months.
• If requested:
  • Copies of relevant pages in your passport, such as pages containing previous visas.
  • A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Italy, how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other relevant details of the trip.
  • Document checklist. Tick the documents submitted and add the document checklist to your application file. The checklist is usually available from the Italian Consulate/Embassy.

Additional Italian Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status

The additional Italy visa requirements depending on your occupational status, are as follows:

If employed:

• Recent employee or reference letter, which includes information about your employment start date, job title, your annual salary and the requested vacation period. Sometimes also known as a “No Objection Letter”.
• Payslips of the last three months
• Current bank statement of the latest three months

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license or certificates of incorporation
• Business bank statement of the latest three months
• Income Tax Return (ITR) documents

If a student:

• Proof of enrolment
• No-objection certificate from school or university

If retired:

• Proof of receiving pension the last six months

If unemployed:

If you are a dependent spouse:

• Employment information of your spouse (letter of employment, payslips.)
• Joint income tax returns. If your income tax is not joined, then you also have to provide a copy of your marriage certificate.

If you are a dependent parent:

• Employment information of your child (letter of employment, payslips.)
• Joint income tax returns. If your income tax is not joined, then you also have to provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate.

If you are a dependent child:

• The parents’ financial information (bank statements of the last three months, last three payslips)
• The parents’ income tax return. If your name is not included in your parents’ income tax return, you also need to provide your birth certificate.

If applicable:

• Proof of regular income generated by a property for the last six months

Additional Italian Visa Requirements for Minors

Minors applying to get a short-stay visa to Italy, or parents applying for their minor child to get a visa, will need to complete the following additional Italian Visa Requirements in their application file:

• Birth certificate of the minor travelling to Italy. An additional copy may also be requested.
• Italy application form signed by both parents.
• A letter from both parents giving permission to travel and taking financial responsibility for the minor’s trip.
• Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents
• A family court order, if only one parent has full custody of the child.
• If the minor will be travelling alone with another person:
  • Assumption of responsibility of an adult during the minor’s trip to Italy.
  • An original and a copy of the accompanying person’s passport page containing the holder’s data, an expiry date, a recent photograph and a valid visa copy.
  • A notarized parental authorization to travel to Italy, signed by both parents/guardians.

Citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine and Travel Document Holders

Citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine and Travel Documents holders (with the three letters code XXA or XXB appearing in the ICAO) must provide a birth certificate or Consular declaration containing the full names of their mother and father.

Additional Requirements Based on the Purpose of Entry to Italy

According to your purpose of entry to Italy, you will need to provide some additional documents as a part of your short-term visit visa application to Italy. Following find the additional Italy visa requirements based on your purpose of travelling to Italy.

Italy Airport Transit Visa Requirements

If Italy is not your destination country, but instead, you only need to land at one of the Italian airports, in order to take another flight that will take you to your non-Schengen destination country, you will need to apply for an Italy Airport Transit Visa.

Not all nationals of countries under the Schengen visa regime need an Italy Airport Transit Visa. Actually, the nationals of very few of these countries do. Check the list of the nationals that need an Italy Airport Transit Visa, to find out if you need to apply for one.

Required Documents for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa to Italy

When applying to obtain an Italy Airport Transit visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A valid visa (if needed) for the final country one is travelling to.
• The flight ticket for the final country you are travelling to.

Italy Transit Visa Requirements

You will have to apply for an Italy Transit Visa if you are a seafarer that needs to disembark at one of the Italian harbours to embark in another vessel that will take you to your non-Schengen destination country, or if you are a seafarer travelling to Italy.

Required Documents for a Transit Schengen Visa to Italy

When applying to obtain an Italy Transit visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A valid visa (if required) for the final country you are travelling to.
• The ticket for the final country you are travelling to.
• Original and photocopy of Seaman’s book (required only for seafarers).
• Letter from the inviting Shipping Company. Issued by the inviting Shipping Company in the Schengen country in which the seafarer will disembark (required only for seafarers).
• Employment contract. Contract with the navigation company/ship in order to board the ship (required only for seafarers).
• Medical Fitness Certificate. (Required only for seafarers)

Italy Tourist Visa Requirements

If you intend to visit Italy under the sole purpose of tourism, i.e. Vacation, recreation, experiencing the country and its culture or sightseeing, then you will have to apply for an Italy Tourist Visa.

Required Documents for a Tourist Schengen Visa to Italy

When applying to obtain an Italian Tourist visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Bank statement. Preferably for the last 6 months.
• Travel Itinerary. A description of your trip day-to-day.
• Proof of how you will be financing your trip to Italy.

Italy Visitor Visa Requirements

When travelling to Italy upon the invitation of a friend or a family member residing in Italy, you will need to hold an Italy Visitor visa in order to be permitted to enter and remain in Italy for up to 90 days within a 6-month period.

Required Documents for a Schengen Visitor Visa to Italy

When applying to obtain a visa to visit your friends or relatives in Italy, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Proof of financial means. Evidence that shows you have enough money to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy. This could be a:
  • Bank certification, bank books, Personal bank statements, credit card statements or balance covering the last six months.
  • Sponsorship Letter. When another person will be financially sponsoring your trip to Italy. It is also often called an Affidavit of Support.
• Travel Itinerary. Detailed day-to-day plan of your trip to Italy.
• Letter of Invitation. By the relative/friend residing in Italy, inviting you to visit.
• Proof of relationship with the host residing in Italy.

Italy Business Visa Requirements

When travelling to Italy in order to engage in activities related to business, i.e. Visiting a business/company to have meetings, to make business deals, to recruit, train or do other similar activities, you will need to hold an Italy Business Visa.

Required Documents for a Business Schengen Visa to Italy

When applying to obtain an Italian Business visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Covering letter from Italian the inviting company.The letter should indicate your name and designation, travel dates, itinerary, duration of stay, details of the trip’s sponsor, the purpose of visit, and be signed by an authorized person.
• Registration Certificate of the inviting company.
• A letter from your employer. In this letter should be stated why you will be travelling to Italy.
• Proof of trip financing. Regarding the applicant’s expenses during their stay in Italy, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Italy Study Visa Requirements

All those planning to attend study courses, training or internship in Italy, San Marino or even the Vatican City, that last no longer than 90 days, should apply for an Italy Study Visa.

Required Documents for a Student Schengen Visa to Italy

When applying to get an Italian Student visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

• No objection letter from the educational institution where you are currently enrolled (if applicable).
• Internship agreement. Signed between the company in Italy, the establishment of origin and the trainee.
• Enrolment proof. An original and legible photocopy of acceptance of enrolment by the Italian School of Institution, stating clearly the duration of the course.
• Dichiarazione di Valore (Declaration of Value) of the applicant’s educational certificates duly legalized by the Consular office of this Consulate General. The local Institution or School should advise this Consulate directly in case it is not required.

Italy Medical Visa Requirements

If you are planning to seek medical treatment in Italy for your health condition, you will have to apply for and obtain an Italy Medical Visa.

Required Documents for a Medical Schengen Visa to Italy

When applying to get a visa to receive medical care in Italy, you must provide the following additional documents:

• A local medical report. Issued from a doctor/clinic/hospital in your home country, confirming that you need medical treatment in Italy.
• A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Italy, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation. It should also confirm that the hospital can perform the specific medical treatment and that you will be accepted accordingly.
• Proof of financial arrangement made.
• Official confirmation of the treatment/appointment by the receiving medical institution (hospital/clinic) in Italy.

Italy Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes Requirements

If you are travelling to Italy under the purpose of engaging in a cultural, sports or religious event, or if you are a member of a film crew travelling to Italy for movie scene shootings, then you should apply for an Italy Visa for Culture, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes.

Required Documents for a Schengen Visa to Italy for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes

When applying to get an Italian visa under the purpose of attending a Cultural / Sports / Religious Event in Italy you must provide the following additional documents:

• Event Information. As:
  • Invitation letter from the relevant body in Italy with details upon the nature of events or activities that are to be held in Italy.
  • Entry tickets to the event.
  • Enrolment conditions.
  • Detailed program of the event in Italy.
  • Other documents that present Names of the applicants (crew members) and other relevant information about the event.
• Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).

The Visa Requirementsfor Wife/Husband of an Italian Citizen

If your wife or husband is an Italian national, and you wish to travel to Italy, you will need to apply for an Italy Visa for the Spouse of an Italian Citizen.

Required Documents for an Italian Visa for the Wife/Husband of an Italian Citizen

When applying to get an Italian visa as the spouse of an Italian national/citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:

• Proof of Italian citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Italian nationality or naturalization order).
• Italian marriage certificate.
• Italian family record book.

Italy Visa Requirements for Official Visit

If you are a member of an official delegation which following an official invitation are to participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs, as well as in specific events held in Italy, then you will need to apply for an Italy Visa for Official Visit.

Italian Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

When applying to get an Italian visa as a member of an official delegation, you must provide the following additional documents:

• The official invitation copy.
• Evidence about the purpose of the journey (negotiations, meetings, events by intergovernmental organizations, consultations).

How to Apply for an Italian Short-Stay Visa?

In order to complete the application process to obtain a short-stay visa to Italy, you must follow these steps:

1. Find out where you need to apply for an Italy visa.
2. Figure out which Italian visa type you need.
3. Fulfil the application form for an Italian short-stay visa.
4. Collect the required documents for an Italy visa.
5. Appoint a visa interview with the Italian Embassy/Consulate or a visa application centre in your country of residence.
6. Attend the interview.
7. Wait for the processing of your Italian Schengen visa.

Where to Apply for an Italian Short-Stay Visa?

The Italian presence in each world country has regulated visa submission differently. As a result, you may have to apply at one of the following Italy diplomatic bodies in your country of residence:

• The Italian Embassy
• The Italian consulate
• A Visa Application Center to which Italy has outsourced visa submission
• The Embassy / Consulate of another Schengen country to which Italy has outsourced visa submission

Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa at the Italian Embassy/Consulate?

In order to be eligible to submit your short-stay visa application at an Italian Embassy/Consulate/VAC, one of the following statements must correspond to your situation:

• Aside from Italy, you will not visit any other Schengen country.
• You will visit more Schengen states, but Italy is your main destination, which means:
  • You will be spending more days in Italy, than in the other countries.
  • You will be spending an equal amount of days in each country, but you will enter the Schengen Zone through Italy.

Moreover, you will be permitted to file an Italy short-stay visa application at an Italian Embassy / Consulate / VAC only if you are a:

• A citizen of the country from where you are applying.
• A foreign citizen on a permanent/temporary residence permit in the country from where you are applying.

You cannot apply for a short-stay Italian visa from a country in which you are currently on a visa.

How Long Does It Take to Get an Italian Visa?

The processing time for an Italian short-stay visa may take up to 15 days. Still, according to your specific situation, this period may be extended up to 30 days. Exceptional cases may take up to 60 days, since the Italian embassies may have to consult with other Schengen consulates.

To avoid any delay in the issuance of your Italian short-stay visa, you should submit your application as soon as possible, though no earlier than three months before you travel to Italy.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for an Italian Visa?

The Italian Visa fees for short-term visits for all types of visas are as follows:

* The applicable visa fee in USD (US Dollar) is as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without notice.

The fee for the visa is due at the time the application is submitted and is not refundable. If you withdraw the application or it is rejected the fee will not be reimbursed.

How Long Can We Stay in Italy Without a Visa?

The permitted period that you can remain in Italy without a visa depends on your nationality, as follows:

• Nationals of EU / EEA member countries can stay in Italy for up to 90 days, within a 180-day period. If they wish to stay longer, they have to register at the relevant Italian authorities.
• Passport holders of Italy visa-exempt countries are allowed to remain in Italy and the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days, within a six-month period.
  • Nationals of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of South Korea, the United States of America that wish to stay longer in Italy need to obtain a residence permit at the relevant Italian authorities, within three months of arrival in Italy.
  • Nationals of the rest of the Italy visa-exempt countries that wish to stay longer in Italy will have to apply for an Italian National visa for long stays from their country of residence.
• Nationals of countries that still have not signed a visa-free agreement with Italy and the other Schengen members must obtain a visa before heading to Italy, or any other Schengen member country.

IMPORTANT: Make sure you understand the 90/180 Schengen Visa Rule. Do not violate this rule, not even for one day, since you may face consequences for overstaying in the Schengen territory.

Can I Extend My Schengen Visa in Italy?

Yes, you can extend your Italian Schengen visa, but only in exceptional cases as in the case of proven inability to leave or in other adequately justified special cases as i.e. humanitarian reasons or force majeure.

Please read How to Extend a Schengen Visa in Italy to understand in what circumstances and under what conditions you can extend your Italian Schengen Visa.

Can My Italian Schengen Visa Be Revoked?

Yes, your Italy visa can be revoked, in case the competent Italian authorities conclude that the conditions for issuing the visa are no longer met.

Please note that the failure of the visa holder to provide the border officer, with the entry requirements, may also lead to a decision to annul or revoke the visa, though not automatically.

Do I have to provide biometric data (fingerprints) every time I apply for an Italian visa?

For every Italian visa application submitted within 59 months after your fingerprints were collected, you are not required to provide fingerprints. Once this period has passed your fingerprints will be collected again.

Do I need a visa to visit San Marino and/or Vatican City?

Although San Marino and Vatican City did not sign the Schengen agreement they are considered part of the Schengen area. If you have an Italy visa you are not required to obtain a specific visa for San Marino or the Vatican. You can travel freely to either of these microstates as no border control is performed when entering Italy.

Fun fact about Italy: Ancient Rome was eight times more densely populated than modern New York!

Related:

• Italy Visa for U.S. Passport holders
• Italy Visa for UK residents
• Italy Visa for Indian Passport holders
• Travel Health Insurance for Italy