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.
On the meantime, if you are a non-EU/EEA traveler wishing to visit Italy, San Marino or 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 10 years.
A visa – if they are subject to Italian visa regime.
*British passport holders are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.
Other documents such as an invitation letter by 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 of 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 zone, if 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 a Italy Schengen Visa?
The following list of documents are required for any short-term Italian Schengen visa application:
Italian visa application form. Complete the form and then print it. Sign it at the end after your 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.
Two identical photos. Your photos should be taken within the last three months and in compliance with Italy photograph visa requirements.
Valid passport. You will need to submit your passport along with the rest of visa required documents. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages in order to affix visa and:
Is not older than 10 years.
Has a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Italy and the whole territory of Schengen.
Copies of your previous visas (if applicable).
Schengen travel visa insurance. Health insurance for the whole territory of Italy and the Schengen Area covering all kinds of medical emergencies is mandatory. Minimal health insurance coverage for the Schengen Zone is €30,000. Learn how to buy travel insurance to meet the Italy visa requirements.
Proof of travel:
Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A document that shows you have a reserved flight, to enter and leave Italy. This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your details.
Ferry Ticket
Proof of accommodation. I.e. a hotel reservation. Find and Book Hotels in Italy!
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.
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 details.
Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
Checklist. Tick the documents submitted and add this checklist to your application file.
Additional Italian Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status
The additional Italy visa requirements depending on your occupational status are as follows:
If employed:
Employment contract
Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
Leave permission from the employer
Income Tax Return (ITR) form or
If self-employed:
A copy of your business license
Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
Proof of enrollment
No-objection certificate from school or university
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If retired:
Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If applicable:
Proof of regular income generated by property, for the last 6 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 traveling to Italy.
Italy application form signed by both parents.
Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody over the child.
Certified copies of ID / passport of both parents
If the minor will be travelling alone with another person:
An original and copy of the accompanying person’s passport page containing the holder’s data, and expiry date, a recent photograph and valid visa copy.
A notarized parental authorization to travel to Italy, signed by both parents / guardians
*Note: When applying at the Italian embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.