This travel advice also covers Vatican City.
\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about the risks of travel, to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\n","slug":"warnings-and-insurance","title":"Warnings and insurance"},{"body":"This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Italy set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Italian Embassy in the UK.
\n\nItaly follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must:
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nIf your passport is lost or stolen, you must renew your passport or apply for an emergency travel document. You cannot use a police report to leave Italy.
\n\nYou can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel:
\n\nThe requirements for working in Italy are different.
\n\nIf you’re travelling to other Schengen countries as well, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day visa-free limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. If you overstay the 90-day visa-free limit, you may be banned from entering Schengen countries for up to 3 years.
\n\nIf you cannot return to the UK before your visa-free limit expires, contact the nearest local immigration office (‘questura’) (in Italian).
\n\nAt Italian border control, you may need to:
\n\nTo stay longer, you must meet the Italian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You’ll need to apply and then book an appointment.
\n\nIf you’re in Italy with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
\n\nRead about entry processes if you live in Italy.
\n\nThe European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being implemented across the Schengen area.
\n\nThis means that when you travel into the Schengen area for short stays, you may need to register your biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo. There is no cost for EES registration.
\n\nOn your first visit into a Schengen country, you may be asked to register your details at a special booth before proceeding to the immigration desk. Follow directions from your travel operator or the staff at your port of entry. You may also need to provide either your fingerprint or photo when you leave the Schengen area. Children aged 11 or younger will not have their fingerprints scanned but can be required to have their photo taken.
\n\nYou do not need to take any action before you arrive at the border on entry to the Schengen area, but EES may take each passenger extra time to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border and to allow more time for immigration controls when you depart the Schengen area. If you are departing the Schengen area by plane, allow extra time to reach your departure gate as EES checks may take place before boarding.
\n\nEES is replacing the previous system of manually stamping passports when visitors arrive in the Schengen area for short stays. You may be asked to input biometric details every time you enter or exit.
\n\nIf you enter the Schengen area through the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, any information will be taken at the border before you leave the UK.
\n\nYour digital EES record is valid for 3 years.
\n\nRead more information on the EU Entry/Exit System and to understand which countries are in the Schengen area.
\n\nIf you are long-term resident in a Schengen country, you are exempt from EES in all Schengen countries. The full list of EES exemptions is on the EU’s official Travel Europe website.
\n\nIf you believe you have been incorrectly entered into EES or your record of time spent in the Schengen area is incorrect, approach border officials when you next cross the Schengen border and request a correction. If you are exempt, carry documentation confirming your status. If you believe your time spent in the Schengen area has been recorded incorrectly, raise this with border officials and be prepared to provide supporting evidence if requested.
\nThe Italian authorities recommend that dual nationals with Italian citizenship enter and leave Italy on an Italian passport.
\n\nThere are temporary border checks at Italy’s border with Slovenia. Allow extra time for crossing the land border. Be ready to show your passport or residency card if you are asked by the border police.
\n\nHotels and accommodation providers in Italy have a legal duty to register your passport details with the police. When checking into your accommodation wait until hotel staff have registered your passport details. Do not leave your passport for later collection. If the hotelier takes a photocopy of your passport, ensure it is either returned to you or destroyed.
\n\nIf you’ve come from another Schengen-area country and you are not staying in a hotel or facility that registers your stay, you must declare your presence (‘dichiarazione di presenza’) to the local immigration authority (‘questura’) within 8 days of arriving. The ‘questura’ will give you a form to complete.
\n\nYou can get more information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Italian police force.
\n\nIf you’re aged 17 or under, you cannot check into hotels or holiday accommodation without an accompanying adult.
\n\nBritish people aged 17 and under travelling without their parents or guardians do not need any authorisation stamped by the Embassy, even if they are resident in Italy. Only Italian children travelling without parents or guardians need such a document stamped by the local police.
\n\nSee further advice on travelling abroad with people aged 17 and under, or travelling to the UK with people aged 17 and under.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Italy guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into and out of Italy. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\nYou cannot take meat, milk or products containing them into EU countries. There are some exceptions such as powdered baby milk, baby food and special food or pet feed required for medical reasons.
\n\nDeclare cash or travellers cheques if the value is 10,000 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements "},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorist attacks in Italy cannot be ruled out.
\n\nItalian authorities have increased security around some Jewish community sites due to events in Israel and Palestine. Stay aware of your surroundings, stay away from demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities.
\n\nDemonstrations can happen with little or no warning in cities. Avoid any protests, political gatherings or marches.
\n\nCrime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions.
\n\nTo reduce your personal risk:
\n\nBe aware that if your passport is stolen, you cannot use a police report to leave Italy. See our lost or stolen passports guidance
\n\nTake care on public transport, in crowded areas and in city centres, including main train and metro stations.
\n\nBe particularly careful with your belongings:
\n\nThefts from parked cars is common across the country. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle, even out of sight in the boot, for any length of time.
\n\nThieves may use a variety of methods to distract you or encourage you to stop your car, including asking for help or directions or pointing out a fictional fault with your car.
\n\nDo not take drinks from strangers or leave your drinks unattended. Victims of spiked drinks have been robbed and sometimes assaulted. Alcohol and drugs can reduce your vigilance, making you less in control. If you drink, know your limit. Drinks served in bars in Italy are often stronger than those in the UK.
\n\nUnder Italian law, police can stop you at any time to carry out an identity check or your date of entry into the country. Carry photo ID with you at all times. The police will normally ask for your full passport if you are stopped while driving.
\n\nIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports.
\n\nAirports in Italy have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.
\n\nIf you buy a ticket from a kiosk or machine, you must validate it on public transport before you start your journey. Officials patrol public transport and will issue an on-the-spot fine if you do not have a validated ticket. Some buses and trams accept onboard contactless payment.
\n\nMany major cities in Italy impose a small tax on tourists. You must usually pay this tax at your hotel as it is unlikely to be included in your holiday booking. The rate of tax varies from city to city and can depend on the star rating of the hotel. Hotels often ask for payment in cash. Make sure you get a receipt. For more information, check with the local tourist information office.
\n\nIf you are visiting Venice, you may need to pay an access fee. See when access fees apply, exemptions and how to make a payment.
\n\nSome Italian towns and cities have specific laws, and you could be fined for breaking them. For example, there may be laws against:
\n\nIt’s also an offence to enter or bathe in public fountains in many towns and cities, including Florence and Rome or swim in the canals in Venice. You could face a fine of up to 10,000 euros for urinating in a public place.
\n\nOn the island of Capri, you must not use or bring on to the island any disposable plastic objects such as bags, cutlery, plates, cups, food packaging, trays and straws. If you do, you could be fined up to 500 euros.
\n\nIllegal traders operate on the streets of all major Italian cities. It is illegal to buy items from unlicensed street traders. If you do, you could be stopped by the local police and fined.
\n\nIt’s illegal to remove sand, shells or pebbles from coastal areas in Italy. You could face a large fine for doing so. It’s also illegal to collect various species of flowers, plants and herbs from mountain and wooded areas. For more information, check with the regional authorities of the area you’re visiting.
\n\nGet advice on weather and avalanche conditions before you travel and familiarise yourself with local skiing laws and regulations.
\n\nYou can contact the Italian State Tourist Board for advice on safety and weather conditions before you travel.
\n\nRegulations for the ski season include:
\n\nOff-piste skiing is very dangerous, with the danger of avalanches in some areas. Follow all safety instructions and go with a qualified guide. For more information about the avalanche risk, visit the European Avalanche Warning Service website.
\n\nMake sure your insurance covers off-piste activity. It is a legal requirement for skiers and snowboarders to carry tracking equipment, a snow probe and a shovel if they go off-piste.
\n\nSee advice on preparing for winter sports.
\n\nEvery year, people drown in the sea, lakes and in swimming pools in Italy.
\n\nAlways supervise children. Keep small children within arms-reach in and around swimming pools, even if they can swim or there is a lifeguard present.
\n\nTest the water temperature before swimming in a lake. Cold water shock can be extremely dangerous and overwhelm even the strongest swimmers. See Met Office tips on staying safe.
\n\nTake care when swimming in the sea. Always supervise children and keep small children within arms-reach. Some beaches may have strong undercurrents.
\n\nHidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. Do not dive into unknown water and do not swim at beaches where a river runs into the sea.
\n\nMany beaches have a flag system. Make sure you understand the system and follow any warnings (a red flag means you must not enter the water). Take extra care and get local knowledge if there are no lifeguards, flags or signs.
\n\nIf you are walking along unmonitored beaches, be aware that waves can come in further than expected and have strong undertows.
\n\nSee further tips on ABTA’s swim safe pages from the Royal Life Saving Society.
\n\nFollow local advice if jellyfish are present.
\n\nHiking, mountaineering and other adventure sports have specific risks.
\n\nMake sure your insurance covers these activities.
\n\nFor sports activities like skiing, potholing and mountaineering, and for sports classed as particularly dangerous, such as off-piste skiing, mountain biking, climbing, paragliding or BASE jumping, your insurance should include:
\n\nCheck weather forecasts and conditions and make sure you’re properly equipped for the worst-case scenario with items such as a map, compass, GPS and telecommunication equipment. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the terrain and season.
\n\nRisks are greater if you undertake any activity alone. Plan your route beforehand and consider your limitations in distance and difficulty. You may want to hire a guide for expert advice. Always leave copies of your itinerary and insurance with someone.
\n\nIf you are planning on hiking in the Trentino region, read what to do if you see a brown bear.
\n\nIf an accident happens or if you become lost, call 112 for the emergency services.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Italy, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Italy guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
\n\nThe Italian Police guide on driving in Italy gives further safety advice.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Italy. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nHire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.
\n\nCheck if you need a UK sticker to drive your car outside the UK.
\n\nIf you’re living in Italy, or planning to live there, see the driving requirements for residents.
\n\nOnly use officially licensed taxis, which have a taxi sign on the roof and a company name and number written on the side. Call a taxi, order one from an app or pick one up from an official rank.
\n\nTransport strikes are often called at short notice. You can find information on the Ministry of Transport website (in Italian).
\n\nTraffic can be busy, fast and chaotic, especially in the larger cities. Take care when crossing roads. Pedestrians should cross roads at a crossing. You can be fined for crossing the road if you are within 100 metres of a pedestrian crossing but do not use it. Drivers do not always stop, even though they are required to. The green pedestrian crossing signal also allows cars to turn right on to the crossing, so cross with caution.
\n\nExercise caution in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas, including in road underpasses.
\n\nEmergency exits in vehicle tunnels are for emergency use only if you need to leave your vehicle and should not be used as pedestrian routes.
\n\nYou need a pass to drive into the historic centre of many Italian cities in a private or hire car. You can buy a pass from most car hire companies. The boundaries are usually marked with the letters ZTL in black on a yellow background. If you pass this sign, your registration number is likely to be caught on camera and you will be fined if you do not have a pass.
\n\nThere is a congestion charge for Milan city centre.
\n\nIn Rome, city authorities sometimes restrict traffic to reduce pollution. This means certain vehicles are not allowed on the roads in the green band (‘fascia verde’) area, which covers most of Rome. The Rome Municipality has more information.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards. For severe weather warnings, visit the European Meteorological Services website.
\n\nWildfires are a risk during the extended summer months. They are highly dangerous and unpredictable. Check the latest alerts and weather forecast and follow advice of local authorities if you’re considering travelling to affected areas. Take care when visiting or driving through woodland areas and report fires to the emergency services.
\n\nFor information on what to do in the event of a wildfire, visit the Civil Protection Department.
\n\nHeavy rainfall is common throughout Italy in winter, which can cause local flooding. Monitor local media, weather reports and follow the advice of local authorities in affected areas.
\n\nHigh waters are a common occurrence in Venice and can cause flooding in parts of the city.
\n\nMany parts of Italy lie on a major seismic fault line, which means that minor tremors and earthquakes happen regularly. Learn more about what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.
\n\nThere are several active volcanoes in southern Italy. National emergency planning is in place for the Phlegraean fields, an area that remains active experiencing regular tremors.
\n\nAirspace can be affected during eruptions. If you are travelling to or from Catania, during a period of heightened activity, check with your travel provider or with Catania airport.
\n\nRead what to do in the event of a volcanic eruption and follow the instructions of the local authorities.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security "},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 118 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Italy, including:
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Italy, including the Alps and the Dolomites. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Italy where some staff will speak English.
\n\nTo get medically necessary state healthcare in Italy, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
\n\nThe NHS’s getting healthcare abroad has details about:
\n\nA GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:
\n\nSee guidance on healthcare if you’re living in Italy.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nFor advice on what to do when travelling to Italy with medicines containing internationally controlled drugs, see information on the Ministry of Health website.
\n\nYou will need to go to a pharmacy to get most over-the-counter medicines. Pharmacies are widely available and are usually identified by a green cross. UK prescriptions are not accepted, though you may be able to buy an equivalent medication from the pharmacy.
\n\nAlternatively, you can visit an Italian GP to obtain a local prescription. Prescription medicines are not free in Italy, but with an EHIC or GHIC, and an Italian prescription, you will pay a reduced rate.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 118
\n\nFire: 115
\n\nPolice: 112
\n\nYou can also download the 112 Where Are U app, the official European emergency number app. It is only available in some parts of Italy.
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\n\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Italy on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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