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HEALTH

What are the rules on travelling to Italy right now?

Travellers to Italy are divided into six categories under government guidelines.

Published: 13 October 2020 09:56 CEST
Updated: 9 November 2020 10:01 CET
What are the rules on travelling to Italy right now?
Travel to Italy for tourism is possible from some countries. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

The Italian government signed off an another new emergency decree on October 13th, and many were hoping that restrictions on travel to Italy would be lifted under the updated set of emergency rules.

However, the travel rules have overall stayed the same in the latest update.

In fact, many other rules were tightened as cases have risen sharply in Italy recently – meaning it looks unlikely that travel or other restrictions will be eased soon.

The only changes were to the list of countries from which travellers face mandatory testing upon arrival in Italy, with countries including the UK added to the list.

The current travel guidelines divide travellers into six categories, based on the country they are coming from.
 
Here’s a quick overview of these categories, outlining the rules travellers should be aware of.
 
 

Category A:
 
San Marino and Vatican City
 
Travellers from the two microstates within Italy face no limitations.
 
Category B:
 
Unrestricted travel is permitted from most EU countries as well as Schengen zone countries, Andorra, and Monaco. However, travellers from some countries will need to take a test or quarantine on arrival.
 
“Travel to/from EU countries is allowed for any reason, therefore also for tourism, and without the obligation to self-isolate on return. The requirement to fill in a self-declaration form remains,” the Italian government states.
 
Travellers entering Italy from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain and parts of France must get tested for coronavirus either within 72 hours of departing for or 48 hours of arriving in Italy (Since October 8th, Croatia, Greece, and Malta are no longer on this list.)
 
Provided they test negative, they are not obliged to quarantine.
 
 
Photo: AFP
 
Category C:
 
People travelling from Romania or Bulgaria are required to quarantine for their first 14 days in Italy. 
 
The rule applies to anyone who has been to either country in the two weeks before arriving in Italy, however briefly.
 
“Travel from/to these countries is allowed for any reason but requires mandatory self-isolation and supervision by the competent health authorities on returning to Italy; travellers must fill in a self-declaration form and may reach their final destination in Italy only by private means,” the Italian government states.
 
For more details travellers are advised to check the relevant country information on the ViaggiareSicuri website. 
 
Photo: AFP
 
Category D:
 
Countries on the EU “safe list”.
 
These are currently: Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Rwanda, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay
 
“Travel from these countries is allowed for any reason, therefore also for tourism,” the latest guidance states. (Travel to these countries is also permitted by Italy, but depends on the rules put in place by those countries' governments.)
 
“However, on returning to Italy, travellers must self-isolate and undergo supervision by the competent health authorities; they are required to fill in a self-declaration form and reach their final destination in Italy only by private vehicle.”
 
Italy differs from most other EU countries, which do not require travellers from “safe list” countries to undergo quarantine on arrival.
 
 
Category E:
 
Rest of the world.
 
Travel from elsewhere, including from the US, remains possible for essential reasons only and arrivals will still face a 14-day quarantine on arrival.
 
“Travel to and from the rest of the world is allowed only for specific reasons, such as work, health, study, absolute urgency, or returning to one's home or residence,” the government guidelines state. “Travel for tourism is not allowed.”
 
Italian/EU/Schengen citizens and their family members, as well as holders of residence permits and their family members, are allowed to enter Italy from these countries. 
 
 
Photo: AFP
 
The new decree contained a travel ban exemption for those in “stable” relationships – meaning people can travel from these countries to visit their partners in Italy even if they are not married or cohabiting, which as not previously allowed. See more details in a separate article here.
 
All travellers from these countries “must self-isolate and are required to fill in a self-declaration form, and reach their final destination in Italy only by private vehicle,” the government guidance states.
 
Find more details on what is classed as “essential” travel and possible exemptions here.
 
Category F:
 
Banned countries.
 
The decree keeps in place a complete ban on entry from countries on Italy's no-travel list. 
 
There are 16 countries currently included: Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Colombia, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

The ban applies to anyone who has been to any of those countries within the past 14 days, even if they were just transiting there. 

Direct and connecting flights to and from these countries are suspended until further notice.

Citizens of Italy, another EU country, the Schengen Zone or the UK who live in Italy permanently are allowed to return home from one of the countries on the 'risk list'.

See further details of possible exemptions in the latest update on the Italian government's official website.

For more details travellers are advised to check the relevant country information on the ViaggiareSicuri website. You may also wish to check the Italian Foreign Ministry's website (in English) as well as the latest advice from the government of any countries you're travelling to or from.

Please note: The Local is not able to advise on specific cases. Contact your embassy for official guidance.

Member comments

  2. If we land in milan in transit can we still connect to a flight to somewhere else even though the region is sealed?

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For members

STRIKES

The transport strikes that will hit travel in Italy in May 2024

People travelling to, from or across Italy may face disruption next month as unions have called multiple walkouts affecting trains and public transport services.

Published: 19 April 2024 14:48 CEST
The transport strikes that will hit travel in Italy in May 2024

Transport strikes are common during Italy’s spring months, and May will be no exception this year as unions representing rail and public transport staff have announced multiple walkouts which may affect the travel plans of both locals and international visitors.

Here’s a look at the protests that are expected to cause the greater amount of disruption.

May 1st – Nationwide general strike 

Rail and public transport passengers around the country may face major delays and/or cancellations on Wednesday, May 1st (which marks Italy’s Festa del Lavoro, or Labour Day) due to a 24-hour general strike backed by Italy’s main trade unions.

This is expected to be one of the most disruptive walkouts of the month as it will involve staff from both public and private transport operators at a local, regional and national level.

Besides the rail and public transport sectors, ferry services to and from Italy’s major islands, Sicily and Sardinia, and motorway services may also be affected.

It’s currently not clear whether or not the protest will affect air transport on the day.

May 3rd – Nationwide railway staff strike

Train passengers around the country may experience disruption on Friday, May 3rd as track maintenance staff at Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI), which owns and manages all of Italy’s railway network, plan to strike for 24 hours. 

The protest may impact both regional trains and long-distance services operated by Trenitalia and Italo.

May 6th – Nationwide public transport strike 

Public transport passengers may face delays and/or cancellations on Monday, May 6th as staff at bus, tram and subway operators around the country plan to strike for 24 hours. 

The timing and impact of the strike, which is backed by USB – one of Italy’s main transport unions – will vary from city to city, with further information on guaranteed services expected to become available closer to the date of the walkout.

May 12th – Air traffic controllers’ strike at Malpensa airport

Passengers flying to or from Milan’s Malpensa airport may face delays and/or cancellations on  Sunday, May 12th as staff from air traffic control agency Enav plan to strike from 1pm to 5pm.

Detailed information on guaranteed flights is expected to be released on Enav’s website closer to the date of the walkout.

May 19th-May 20th – Nationwide Trenitalia strike

Staff at Trenitalia, Italy’s primary train operator, will strike from 3am on Sunday, May 19th to 2am on Monday, May 20th for a total of 23 hours. 

The protest is expected to affect long-distance services as well as regional and local routes.

Local strikes

A number of smaller regional and local walkouts have also been announced for the coming weeks. A full list can be found on the Italian Transport Ministry’s website. 

How bad are strikes in Italy?

Strikes in Italy are frequent but not all of them cause significant disruption for travellers.

The severity of disruption caused by any strike in the country largely depends on how many staff in any part of the transport sector decide to participate.

And, even in the case of highly disruptive strikes, some essential services (or servizi minimi) are guaranteed to run at peak times. This goes for all transport sectors, from local public transport to rail and air travel.

Keep up with all the latest updates in our strike news section.

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