Passport Requirements for Travel to Italy

Travelers from the United States to Italy are expected to have a valid passport that is good for at least a period of 90 days beyond the time that they plan to stay. If they are planning a stay for longer than 90 days, then a visa is required. The visa must be applied for at home before the person departs for Italy. Foreign visitors from outside the European Union are expected to carry a passport on their person at all times.

Residents of England, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have similar requirements for entry to Italy. They will need a passport to enter the country and can stay up to 90 days without need of a visa. After 90 days a visa is required. A return airplane ticket is not required to enter the country. Visitors from South Africa need both a passport and a Schengen Visa to enter. A Schengen visa is issued by any one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Once this visa is issued, it is honored by all other participating parties.

Since May 2007, regulations for foreign entry have become a little bit tighter. Not only is a passport required, but also a piece of paper, called a "declaration of presence," is also required. If coming into Italy with an airline from outside a "Schengen country," this paper will be issued at the airport. For travelers entering Italy from a neighboring EU or Schengen Agreement nation, then they must request such a paper from the police or the place where they are staying. The paper then gets filled out and signed, thus dating their time of arrival. Foreign visitors from outside the EU are expected to carry this signed piece of paper with them for the duration of their stay.

The Schengen Agreement began in 1985 when several European nations including Italy signed an agreement allowing common passage over borders. Today that agreement has been expanded to the countries of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All of these countries except Iceland and Norway are part of the European Union also. Two EU nations, England and Ireland, have formed their own agreements with the Schengen group.