ETIAS for Italy

From 2026 , visitors who can enter the Schengen member countries visa-free will be able to apply for ETIAS. Holding a valid ETIAS will become mandatory to travel to Italy and the rest of the Schengen Area.

A unitary parliamentary republic, Italy has a significant role in Europe. With 300.000 km2, this enticing country is at the heart of the Mediterranean sea and has played a key role as a founding member of the European Union.

Italy has about 61 million people which makes it the fourth most populated country in the EU. Today, it has the third largest nominal GDP in the Eurozone. Italy enjoys an advanced economy that has ranked them in the sixth place in national wealth.

Italy was one of the founding members of the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1957, which went on to become the European Union in 1993.

Italy also signed the Schengen Agreement, a treaty to establish free movement between nations. The treaty led to the formation of the Schengen Area where internal border checks have been eliminated. Signed in 1985 by five countries, the Schengen Area has now 26 member countries. Italy became an official member in 1997.

The European visa waiver has been created by the EU to increment security in Schengen Member countries. As a Schengen state, if non-EU citizens wish to visit Italy, they must meet the ETIAS requirements for Italy and apply for the visa waiver online.

The Europe visa waiver program ETIAS is a result of a desire to screen travellers before their trip and therefore prevent potential threats but also to make the process of obtaining a travel permit and having one’s documents checked at the border easier and faster.

Over 50 million people visit Italy each year, making tourism a key factor in the country’s economy. There are many reasons why foreigners are drawn to Italy.

The country has many famous cities: Rome, Venice, Florence, and Milan all feature in the top 100 most visited cities in the world. Moreover, the varied Italian landscape attracts all kinds of tourists, from those who enjoy hiking and skiing in the North to beach lovers who decide to spend their summer holidays on the unique Italian coast.

Those looking for a cultural destination will be amazed by the 55 Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the highest number in the world. Others may be fascinated by the many festivals and major cultural events such as the Venice International Film Festival (the oldest in Europe) and the Milan Fashion Week.

Finally, Milan is a business hub home to some of the country’s most important companies as well as exciting start-up opportunities.

It is easy to travel to Italy. EU citizens can enter the country without a visa, while third-country nationals who are eligible for ETIAS can obtain the authorisation online in minutes.

IS MEDICAL INSURANCE NECESSARY FOR ITALY?

Italy boasts an efficient and modern public healthcare system that can be accessed for free by all EU citizens on the national territory. It will be easy for visitors to find a hospital, medical center or pharmacy should the need arise.

Medical insurance is not a requirement to obtain an ETIAS registration for Italy. However, non-EU nationals are not covered by the European public health agreement. This means that they will have to pay for the medical expenses they may incur while in Italy. For this reason, many travellers decide to purchase a health insurance policy for their trip.

Those who need a Schengen visa in order to enter Italy, on the other hand, must provide evidence that they have medical insurance for the entirety of their time within the Schengen Area.

CROSSING THE ITALIAN BORDER

The Schengen Area has a borderless travel policy meaning that there are no hard internal borders within the Schengen territory. EU citizens can simply show their ID (if asked by the local authorities) when moving from one Schengen member state to another. Hard borders can be reintroduced temporarily in case of an emergency.

Those arriving from outside the Schengen Area will need to go through border control. Non-EU nationals from a Schengen Visa Waiver country do not need a visa or travel permit.

After ETIAS is fully implemented, visa waiver travellers will need to provide the following documents to border control officers upon reaching a Schengen external border:

Travellers of all nationalities are also required to cooperate with the Italian authorities and answer any potential questions they may be asked regarding their travel plans.

Finally, foreigners should become familiar with the European and Italian customs regulations before departing.

ARRIVING IN ITALY BY PLANE, TRAIN, ROAD, AND SEA

Many foreign visitors decide to reach Italy by plane. There are over 20 international airports in Italy, serving nearly all regions. It is easy to travel to cities like Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Palermo from abroad.

The 2 intercontinental airports in the country are:

Most airports are connected to the city center via public transport.

Those arriving from neighboring countries can also opt for a train or car journey. Some of the popular train routes include:

Major ports in Italy like Genova also make it easy to travel by boat from near countries like Spain.

As mentioned above, there are no border checks between Schengen countries. However, non-EU citizens should have their documents (such as passport and ETIAS registration) with them at all times.

Italy is a popular tourist destination, consistently featuring among the 10 most visited countries in the world year after year.

Culture is one of Italy’s greatest tourist assets. Rome alone allows travellers to get a glimpse of what the ancient Roman civilization was and it is possible to visit archaeological sites with well-preserved remains all across the country.

Italy is also home to some of the world’s finest museums such as the Uffizi in Florence and the Vatican Museums in Rome. Art lovers will be able to admire the work of masters such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Food enthusiasts certainly keep Italy high on their travel bucket list since the country offers varied and famed cuisine with each region having its own unique dishes. On top of that, Italy is also the world’s largest wine producer.

Coastal areas such as Sicily, Naples, and Capri, and the 5 Terre in Liguria are renowned for their natural beauty, pristine waters, and luxury resorts. Locals and Hollywood stars alike come here for their summer holidays.

Finally, those who enjoy the outdoors will be amazed by the dramatic scenery in the Italian Alps, popular both with winter holidaymakers thanks to world-class ski slopes and summer tourists who can explore hiking trails for all levels.