Italy has now reopened for tourism and has recently updated the countries and nations that are permitted to visit, both with restrictions and without.
The Italian Tourism Board states:
“Italy’s tourism is ready to start again and to welcome tourists – Italians and foreigners – for the summer season.
It is now again possible to move freely within the whole country and use any normal service: museums and cultural centers, hotels, bars and restaurants have opened their doors; airports, railway stations and transport services are operational; campsites, mountain huts and beach resorts have made arrangements to safely welcome travelers.”
Italy officially reopened borders on June 3rd, first allowing 26 European nations to visit without restrictions. Then on July 1st, Italy further allowed the entry of select third-party nations outside the EU, but with different entry requirements.
Below we have compiled a guide with everything you need to know about travelling to Italy, which countries are allowed to visit, all entry requirements, and any other rules you need to know about.
Which countries are allowed to travel to Italy?
Below you will find 2 lists. One with the EU countries that can visit Italy, and one of third-party countries outside the EU that can now visit Italy.
Here is a list of EU/Schengen nations that can currently visit Italy with no restrictions:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia*
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece*
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta*
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain*
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Vatican City
July 28 update: Both Romania and Bulgaria have been removed from the above list. Travelers who in the last 14 have spent time in either Romania or Bulgaria can still enter, but they now require a 14-day quarantine.
Third-Party Countries Allowed into Italy
A list of ‘approved safe’ countries was suggested by the EU to all EU members on June 30, 2020. The suggestion outlined that each EU member should consider allowing residents of those nations permission to enter for tourism starting on July 1.
Italy has accepted the suggestion by the EU, but has imposed a 14-day quarantine requirement for anyone traveling from those nations.
The third-party nations now allowed entry into Italy (with quarantine) are:
- Australia
- Canada
- Georgia
- Japan
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Rwanda
- South Korea
- Thailand
- Tunisia
- Uruguay
This list of countries is not final and can change. It is to be regularly updated, at least every two weeks. The quarantine requirement will also be reviewed every two weeks.
New Testing Requirements
As of August 13th, now certain EU nations require a PCR test to enter, due to a surge in cases in those areas.
For the purpose of containing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, to people who intend to enter Italy who have stayed or transited through Croatia, Greece, Malta, or Spain in the previous fourteen days, will be required to bring a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry, or undergo a test upon arrival and isolate to await results.
Countries currently BANNED from entering Italy
The following travelers are banned from entering Italy if they have stayed or transited in the following countries: Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Kosovo, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Serbia. Flights have also been suspended from these destinations.
The EU also has a current travel ban in place for the USA.
This current ban is in effect until July 31 when it will be reviewed and either extended or removed.
Is entry into Italy based on physical location for the last 14-days, residency or nationality?
Entry into Italy is based on residency PLUS location for the past 14 days. Italy has approved entry for the above two lists of nation based on travelers being a resident of one of those nations, and have physically been in one of those nations for the last 14 days.
Does Italy have mandatory tests on arrival or quarantines?
Tests = No. For the approved countries listed above, at this time, there is no mandatory testing upon arrival into Italy
Quarantines = Maybe. For the list of third-party countries, a 14-day quarantine is required. For the list of the EU/Schengen nations, no quarantine is needed.
Passengers should expect a health screening from a border officer, as well as agree to temperature scans.
Other entry rules into Italy:
- Effective July 9th, all foreigners travelling into Italy need to print, fill out, and carry a self-declaration form to show airline carriers and/or border police if stopped. The form can be found HERE
- All third-party nations that are required to quarantine, as a rule, must do so immediately after entering the country. You are only allowed to reach the address where you have chosen to self-isolate, by the shortest possible route and without using any means of public transport other than the means used to travel to Italy (for example, if you fly into Fiumicino Airport you are not allowed to catch a train into Rome or for any other destination).
Once I enter Italy, can I move freely within the country?
Yes, once approved entry tourists can move freely within the country, with the exception of four regions, for which registration on arrival is still required:
- Sardinia: you need to fill in an online form on the region’s website 48 hours before arriving.
- Sicily: you need to register on the Sicilia si cura website and/or through the app Sicilia SiCura (Play Store – Apple Store)
- Apulia: you need to fill in a self-report that you can download on the region’s website.
- Calabria: you need to fill an online form on the region’s website on Covid emergency.
Are masks mandatory in Italy?
Wearing of masks in indoor public spaces in required throughout Italy. It is not mandatory outdoors except in the event that you cannot keep a safety distance; the only exception is in Lombardy.
What is open in Italy?
- All hotels and accommodation facilities have reopened providing that a safety distance of one metre is guaranteed in all common areas
- Museums and other places of culture. See a list of all museums now reopen
- All restaurants, pubs and bars
- All beaches with a 1 metre distance between others
- Access to parks, villas, playgrounds and public gardens is allowed. Outdoor recreational activities are allowed
- Gyms, swimming pools, sports centres and clubs
- All places of worship as long as social distancing of 1 meter is observed
- From the 15th of June, shows in theatres, concert halls, cinemas and other outdoor spaces are allowed. A maximum number of 1000 spectators for outdoor shows and 200 people for performances in closed places have been set.
Have Flights Resumed to Italy?
Yes, all major Italian airports are open and operational.
From Europe:
Countless flights are coming in and out of Italy from other European
cities. Too many to list! Basically, every major European city has a
daily direct flight.
From Canada:
- Toronto to Rome direct: Air Canada resumed on July 23, Air Transat resumed on July 27
- Montreal to Rome direct: Air Canada resumed on July 24
Can I transit through an Italian Airport?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states the foreign residents are permitted transit through Italian airports. Airport transits are allowed (for example, if travelling from Caracas to Frankfurt, with a stopover in Fiumicino), as long as you do not leave the airport. The self-declaration form must be filled out and made clear you are only transiting.
Are Travelers From the USA Allowed To Enter Italy?
No, not at this time, as the USA is still banned entry into EU nations.
There MAY be exceptions made for US residents who have property in Italy, an Italian spouse, and other essential travel situations. Any US citizen seeking an approval should contact the US consulate in Italy.
Read More: See the complete list of all countries that have reopened for tourism worldwide, and travel insurance that covers covid
Sources: Italian Tourism Board / Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Health Declaration Form /
Disclaimer: Italy’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling