We aim to keep this post updated about Italy travel in 2024 with official Italy travel restrictions, requirements, and health and safety guidance. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions so you can travel confidently, safely, and responsibly in this new post-pandemic world of ours.
Italy has a special place in our hearts, and we finally returned in Fall 2022.
As restrictions vary based on the traveler’s citizenship, we will focus primarily on rules affecting U.S. citizens.
Last update: January 28, 2024. Originally published: July 2020.
January 2024: “Tourism in Italy right now is flourishing, and although it is low season, there is a considerable amount of travelers both in art cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, and in small villages.
In tourist spots such as museums and archaeological areas there are no restrictions of any kind, except in cases of overbooking such as for the Colosseum in Rome, so I recommend booking tickets at least two months in advance. The business of restaurants, hotels, and vacation homes is normal and busy.
Access to health care takes place as usual, with regular and free access to checkups and treatment through hospital emergency rooms for Italian residents and nonresidents. As for Covid tests, although they are not required by any tourist facility, they can be done in all Italian pharmacies for a cost of €10-15.” -Annalisa of Rome Travelogues, Resident of Italy
At the end of the post, we share on-the-ground perspectives from local residents and travelers to Italy so you’ll get a true sense of what to expect.
Table of Contents
Can US citizens travel to Italy? Can I travel to Italy right now?
Italy is open to all travelers, including US citizens who are traveling for tourism.
As of June 2022, all travelers, including US citizens are no longer required to show a vaccination, recovery, or test certificate upon arrival to Italy. All travelers can enter Italy without quarantine.
Most Italy travel restrictions have been lifted as of May 1 for activities inside the country. See regional restrictions here and regional zone classifications here.
Visitors from over 60 visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., will soon be required to have a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorization to enter Italy and other European countries. The start date has been delayed from 2024 to 2025.
Quarantine rules in Italy: What happens if I get Covid?
Travelers are not required to quarantine upon arrival in Italy.
For those who test positive for Covid while in Italy, self-isolation for five days or until testing negative, followed by masking up to 10 days, was the latest requirement. More recently, locals report that quarantine is no longer being enforced.
Italy Green Pass Requirements to Enter Restaurants, Attractions and Large Events
You might be wondering: Do I need a vaccine certificate or Covid test to enter restaurants and attractions in Italy?
Italy’s green pass (basic or super green pass) is no longer required to access restaurants, businesses, public transport, or participate in certain activities.
However, the Super Green Pass is still temporarily required for anyone age 12 and older to access hospitals or care homes.
Can Americans travel to Italy in April 2024? Can US citizens travel to Italy this Spring?
Travel to Italy in April is open. Read on for details and check back for updates.
What is it like to fly to Italy FCO or CIA Rome International Airport right now? In Rome, body temperature checks through thermo scanners may be taken at the entrance of the airports. The airports sanitize their spaces daily.
For travelers entering Italy from other countries, check with your airline about current mask requirements on board.
Do Americans have to quarantine when traveling to Italy? Quarantine is not required upon arrival.
See details above.
Does Italy check COVID-19 symptoms of incoming travelers? Body temperature may be scanned in the airports for inbound and outbound travelers.
Does Italy require a negative Covid 19 test for American travelers? A negative Covid test is no longer required to enter Italy.
Does Italy require a proof of Coronavirus vaccine for American travelers? Proof of Coronavirus vaccine is no longer required to enter Italy.
Do I still need to provide a negative Covid test or quarantine if I have been vaccinated? Neither proof of vaccination, negative test, nor quarantine are required to travel to Italy.
Is a booster shot required for travel to Italy? A booster shot is no longer required to enter Italy.
However, a booster shot is needed for the US vaccination card to be considered a valid Green Pass to enter healthcare settings while in Italy. See Green Pass Requirements above.
What Covid testing options are available for travelers in Italy? PCR and antigen tests are available for U.S. citizens and visitors in Italy. Antigen tests cost approximately 20-30 euros while PCR tests can cost around 70.
Individuals in Italy can get a Covid test from the following:
On-site testing facilities at international airports in Italy, such as Milan, Rome Fiumicino, Cagliari, Florence, Malpensa, Bari, Venice, Pisa, and others.
Private testing labs and pharmacies in Italy
What healthcare options are available to travelers in Italy who get the virus? Tourists and visitors may access Italian health care and emergency services by paying out of pocket or with privately purchased travelers’ insurance. Tourists can also contact the Italian Covid hotline at 1500 (free toll number).
What service businesses and restaurants are open in Italy? Bars, restaurants and all other establishments are open. Both indoor and outdoor dining are allowed.
Are face masks required in Italy? As of October 2022, wearing of masks in Italy is no longer mandatory except in healthcare settings.
Are buses and trains running in Italy? Public transportation is available throughout Italy at normal capacity. Masks are no longer required on buses, trains, etc.
Will Italy impose new Covid restrictions? What’s next is difficult to predict. Historically, most countries impose COVID-19 restrictions when strains on the health care system might become unsustainable.
How has the Coronavirus impacted Italy?
Italy was the first country in Europe affected by COVID-19 and was hit hard by the outbreak, requiring strict lock downs. Another large spike in cases occurred at the end of October 2020. A nationwide state of emergency continued through 2022.
Italy’s economy, which includes a large tourism sector, has faced its deepest recession in history. More than 200,000 tourism-related jobs were discontinued in Italy by the end of 2021– accounting for a massive shortage of workers in the country.
In May 2021, Italy formally opened its borders to international travelers from select countries to revive tourism. In June, Italy eased its restrictions for international travelers, then tightened somewhat due to the Delta variant and Omicron variant.
Italy’s state of emergency ended on March 31, 2022.
Italy obtains its vaccines via an EU procurement program. On December 27, 2020, Italy vaccinated the first residents against COVID-19. Currently, three quarters of Italians are fully vaccinated.
For the current situation in Italy – including how bad is covid in Italy today, total COVID-19 positive cases; daily number of cases in Italy; and COVID-19 recovery rates in Italy, please see the statistics here.
What should you pack for safely traveling in Italy?
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What do Italian locals and recent travelers say about visiting Italy now?
What is it like to visit Italy right now? It’s our goal to provide regular updates here from real people on the ground, to help potential visitors know what to expect.
The following are subjective opinions only. Official travel guidance can be found above.
October 2023 – Louisa Loring of EatingAroundItaly, resident of Italy: “Expect to come to Italy and travel as freely as before the COVID pandemic. Currently, there are no laws or recommendations for masking, social distancing or public gatherings. Today, all historic monuments are open as usual without restrictions.
There is no requirement for those who show symptoms. The Italian public healthcare system has removed its state of emergency and it’s easy to access the emergency room.. Private healthcare facilities are free to test patients if they choose too.
Since COVID, there has been an enormous increase in pre-bookings for museums in Italy. Although not all museums require that you pre-book, most people do and it can save you a lot of time waiting in line. Most museums have an easy and hassle free online booking system with paperless tickets.”
September 2023 – Linda of insieme-piemonte.com, resident of Italy: “Italy has, especially in summer, many crowded places. However, beautiful Piedmont, in the northwest of the country, remains a hidden gem: cheap, hospitable and visited by Italians at most in high season.
At the moment, Covid is no longer an issue. There are no restrictions or protective measures. During the pandemic, however, very strict rules prevailed throughout the country, including house arrest for several weeks.”
Photo credit: Natalie
June 2023 – Natalie Deduck of Best of Turin, visitor: “My husband and I come to Turin to stay a month and later travel to other destinations in Italy.
The main tourist destinations such as Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence, and Milan are receiving a tremendous influx of tourists this Spring and Summer. We are glad that we choose Turin for our longer stay. It is an incredible destination but not as famous as the other places, so here we can enjoy all the best of Italy without hassling with crowds.
Since I landed in Italy, I didn’t see any advice or signals about Covid measures or how to behave in public spaces. No one wears masks, and businesses are open as usual, including bars, restaurants, clubs, museums, and open-air markets.
Everything is pretty much back to normal. My husband and I lived in Turin in 2019 and 2020 during the pandemic. We experienced Italy in its worst moment, and it’s so good and heartwarming to see life back to what it was before the pandemic.”
January 2023 – Zoe of Together In Switzerland, EU visitor: “For our visit to Como, Italy for 2023, the location was pretty busy and lively. All shops and restaurants are open and seemed like a good mix of locals and tourists.
It’s not mandatory, but many do choose to wear a mask such as on the local bus or when in the main shopping area. There were absolutely no checks during our whole visit in Como, however you do see that local stores do still have a those plastic protection areas at the cashier tills and hand sanitizers is available at entrances. We personally didn’t see many people using these and no minimum space was needed. The only crowded area we encountered was for a busy local restaurant that everyone wanted to eat at.”
October 18 2022 -Michelle, Intentional Travelers: “Italy’s tourism feels back in full force and daily life has resumed as normal. Some people wear masks in grocery stores, trains, or other public areas but not many. On the train back to Rome airport, we saw staff sanitizing handrails in all the train cars. Lines at FCO airport seemed typical, and we passed through check-in, security and customs relatively quickly (25 minutes) on a weekday morning. We didn’t have to show any Covid documents, only passports.”
Florence crowds Sept 2022
September 2022 – Michelle, Intentional Travelers: “We flew into Florence, Italy and took trains through Tuscany in September. To enter Italy, we only needed our passports. Air Dolomiti airlines required masks on the flight.
The Florence airport tram into town had signs that masks were required but maybe 50% of people were masked. Around Florence, it is as busy as ever and highly recommended to make reservations for big attractions in advance. Masks were still required on the regional trains in Italy, enforced by staff and audio announcements. Otherwise, tourism does seem back to normal.”
June 3, 2022 – S.M, American digital nomad –“I flew today to Rome from Croatia. They didn’t ask for anything covid related. No test or vax cards. But we had to wear N95 mask on the plane, that’s it.”
May 2022 – Lyndsay at thepurposelylost.com: “I’ve been living in Italy and exploring the country for six months now, and the past few days were the busiest I’ve seen the cities! As the weather gets warmer, we’re expecting an uptick in tourism, which is definitely what I’ve encountered so far. Tourists are eager to experience la dolce vita again!
Although you don’t need to wear a mask walking around outside, masks are still required on public transportation like busses, metros, and trains, and highly encouraged for all inside spaces like restaurants and shops. You’ll even find a mix of people wearing masks at public outdoor events.”
March 24, 2022 – Heather American/Italian dual citizen: “I flew into Rome and then proceeded to take several trains and a bus to get to a tiny village in Abruzzo where I will be living for the next five months. Masks are required inside all buildings, and most buildings have signs indicating you need to show a Super Green Pass for entrance. Trains and buses did check for my Super Green Pass and my CDC card showing my booster was accepted readily.
Italians are still taking things pretty serious, regarding masks, etc.”
March 2, 2022 – Sarah Wilson of Life Part 2 and Beyond, British visitor: “I’m in Florence for 10 days learning Italian. I was surprised how many tourists were here over the weekend. Queues were long to many of the major sites. They do check your Green Pass every time you enter a tourist attraction, and restaurant. Some shops also insist on seeing your Green Pass but not all. Masks are being worn inside but not needed outdoors.
There are plenty of pharmacies, many offer COVID testing or the rapid antigen tests. All the pharmacists in a city like Florence speak great English. To reduce waiting in line, I recommend booking attraction tickets online in advance.”
Candice of Mom in Italy, Permanent Resident:“It’s a nice time to visit because you can visit places like the center of Florence and its museums without any crowds.
We’ve also been visiting smaller villages like Pienza, Montepulciano, and San Gimignano, but they’re a little too empty. Almost all shops and restaurants are closed, due to the lack of local visitors. For anyone thinking of coming to Italy right now, I’d stick to the bigger cities, where you’re guaranteed to find things open and still full of Italian ‘vita.’
Throughout the entire pandemic, I’ve been impressed by the cooperation of Italians. People here wear masks when/where required and for the most part, respect the rules. Visitors need to follow the rules too – for example, if you don’t have the Green Pass here, you can’t sit down in an indoor restaurant. Owners don’t distinguish between locals and tourists – everyone has to have their Green Pass scanned or checked.
It’s easy to get tested in Italy – there are private clinics and you can also get tested in pharmacies. You can also get English translations easily. It’s not a great time to come to Italy if you aren’t vaccinated (or have proof of recovery from COVID within the last 6 months). Pretty much anything you’d want to do as a tourist right now requires the Green Pass.
We haven’t found any long lines or crowds, although I expect there will be an influx of visitors in the spring because Italy’s precautions help make it a less risky destination and people are ready to come back to Italia!”
January 2022 – Claudia of Strictly Rome, Italian resident: “All attractions and places of interest for tourists are currently open in Italy. Visits to restaurants typically start with the staff coming to the table to check your “green pass” (the Italian vaccination card). Much like locals, tourists are required to show proof of vaccination or of having recovered from Covid to access attractions, restaurants, hotels and transport – including trains and local / city buses. Everyone in Italy follows the rules, wearing masks wherever required and showing their vaccination card to access public places, restaurants, attractions, transportation and the like. Antigen tests are available at any pharmacy, best if upon booking and depending on the city and region in Italy there may be a line to get tested. Access to health care remains free for everyone on Italian territory, including visitors. You will be significantly better off making restaurant reservations as with Covid restrictions and social distancing availability for tables in popular tourist destinations may be limited.”
December 2021 – Or of My Path in the World, Israeli traveler:“I flew to Turin for a one week leisure trip in December 2021. I felt very safe in Turin as everything was well organized and it seemed like the locals were determined to live “normally” again. Everyone follows the current restrictions, and some people even wear masks outdoors though it’s not mandatory. You can’t enter a museum or a restaurant without your Green Pass being scanned (unless you’re sitting outside), and some attractions require a reservation in advance because you need to pick a specific timeslot for your visit. There are quite a few places for covid tests, and a PCR test for your flight back home will cost you about 70 Euros.”
November 30, 2021 – Morgan Fielder, Crave the Planet, E.U. expat: “It’s so great and easy to get reservations at awesome restaurants with fewer tourists. The airports in Italy have gotten more efficient and travel has been extremely easy since August if you are vaccinated and keeping your mask on appropriately. Yes, people follow the rules. Access is good to hospitals and if there’s any hint of problems, then businesses and events have gone to only letting in vaccinated or recovered people. Contract tracing is done via app when you go inside a venue or restaurant.”
September 20, 2021 – Sarah Wilson, British expat in Malta: “I was in northern Italy at the beginning of September for two weeks and now I’m in Sicily until the end of the month. The locals are very welcoming. It’s been a tough time for many businesses in Italy, so they are very happy to receive tourists. I literally had Rome to myself, so if you enjoy travelling without the crowds, now is the time to visit. To enter any restaurant, museum or tourist site, you do have to show your vaccine certificate. Some places like the restaurants in Lake Como also asked for your name and phone number. Masks are worn on all public transport and indoors and majority comply. Sicily has recently turned yellow which means masks are supposed to be worn indoors and outdoors – very few wear them outdoors – it’s too hot.”
Photo by Abigail
August 2021 – Abigail, American traveler: “I went to Italy for a weekend. I felt safe and all of the stores were open. There was a green pass that people used to dine indoors, however since I’m a US Citizen I did not have one. Instead I showed my vaccination card, and it was asked for at every establishment. They did not ask for the Covid pass for public transport for Venice or Milan during my stay. For sit down restaurants, they wouldn’t let you in the door if you could not show vaccination. I did see a lot of seats for outdoor dining everywhere I went though.”
August 2021 – Caroline A., South African/Italian visitor:“My husband, 7 year old son, 4 year old daughter and I are in Rome for three months for an adventure as we have dual citizenship. Tourists are very much welcome in Rome at the moment although museums are requiring the green pass to enter. Since we are not vaccinated, we have been getting tested for entering museums, which lasts 48 hours. Testing is widely accessible. Most attractions are open for visits with covid protocols in place. There is a festive mood in the air as many people take their vacation over this time. It is wonderful not to have to wear a mask outside.”
Photo credit: Kathryn K.
July 2021 – Kathryn, American Traveler: “I flew from Spain to Naples, Italy and stayed 2 days in Positano, 2 days in Sorrento, and 4 days in Rome. The locals were happy to have patrons in their cafes and restaurants. We had several people tell us how happy they are to see return of tourism. All public transportation was running as it would pre-pandemic (masks always required). We took planes, trains, taxis, boats and buses with no restrictions. Some restaurants required you to write down name, phone number, country of origin for contact tracing. Otherwise, no restrictions for outdoor dining and tables were quite close to each other as you would typically experience in Europe. Indoor dining often had more space between tables to allow for social distancing. In Rome, there were quite a few walk-up COVID testing tents throughout the city to use if needed. Rome sights were much less crowded than what I’ve experienced past summers. All major tourist sites were open. They offered both advance tickets and walk-up (usually wouldn’t be possible due to large numbers of tourists in the summer, but with less tourists this year it was possible to purchase day-of tickets). They had temperature checks at most major sites and required masks if indoors.”
June 2021 – Alexander and Cynthia, Travel your Memories, Dutch visitors: “We flew to Rome and visited for 4 days. After Rome we travelled to Florence for 2 days. Because you can do many activities outside, Italy is prefect to travel to at the moment. The population pays very close attention to the guidelines of COVID. All sights have been adjusted accordingly. Only a maximum number of people are allowed in the shops (depending on the size). If you get cold symptoms, you can go to a test street. For major sights it is important to book your ticket in advance because you have to fix a time slot.”
May 2021 – Sarah,Benvenuti Arts, American:“I have a visa as I’m here to teach at a University, and traveling into Italy felt joyful! The crew on the flight were so happy to see us all, and there were only about 30 passengers on the plane. The customs officials were very nice and the people doing COVID-testing in the airport were very friendly. While the rules, as read, seemed more strict than the US, I’m noticing people’s interpretation of those rules is just as scattered as in my country. I happened to arrive right when they reopened after the Easter lockdown, and people seem to be thrilled to be outside. We wear masks in all public areas, and there is no indoor dining, so in general it feels safe. But I am finding myself a bit overwhelmed by crowded areas, like places where students hang out. That’ll take some time to get used to again! I would say, if someone is traveling soon, be respectful and be overprepared. Rules were changing weekly in the lead up to my visit, so I have so much documentation printed that I haven’t needed. Everything takes a bit more preparation than you might be used to in Italy, too. Some restaurants require reservations. Museums are open, but with timed, pre-reserved tickets. There is no indoor dining. There’s a curfew. I am usually loose with my planning when I travel, but am doing more of it just because it’s required. But the food is amazing, the people are lovely, and the city is beautiful, so even with some adaptations, it’s amazing to be here!”
April 2021 – Chicca, Cooking in Tuscany, Italian resident: “We have been living a lockdown life since October – I have to say we’ve got so use to it. But just these days our prime minister has announced to relax some of the strict coronavirus measures starting April 26. The vaccination plans are rolling out quite consistently to have the majority of the population vaccinated by this summer. I read here and there that maybe borders will be opening first to Europeans and then to Americans. We don’t know when but, yes, I start dreaming of having visitors again.”
Photo credit: Clotilde
January 2021 – Clotilde, A Princess Travelling with Twins, Italian living abroad: “I flew to Rome, with my husband and our twins over the Christmas period for 10 days to visit family. People working in the tourist sector are really welcoming and try their best to respect, and make customer respect, the rules and regulations. They have been suffering a lot from the lack of tourists and all the imposed restrictions, so they are happy to see tourists coming back but other people are more cautious. News of the new variants of the virus have particularly made people more alert. The biggest issue when travelling to Italy right now is the rules change really quickly, the country can ban specific countries without warning as happened over Christmas with people coming from the UK. On top of that, each Italian region is defined by a colour depending on the level of the infection rate. This reflects also in services opening times that change unexpectedly and often forget to update their websites or search engines. For example you could be stranded at the airport wondering what to do as the rental car office where you booked your vehicle has closed and the curfew time is approaching, as happened to us!“
September 2020. Rebecca Ann Hughes, journalist – permanent resident of Venice: “Tourist numbers in Italy have been low all summer. For those who come to visit, they are seeing popular tourist destinations as never before, but many businesses are struggling. Locals whose work is fed by tourism are eager to welcome back visitors but many of them, along with those who do not work in the tourism sector, are pushing for a change in tourism. Particularly in Venice, they want visitors who travel “slow”, who are respectful, and who interact with the community. This includes following COVID regulations imposed by local councils and the government. Recently, a tourist on a vaporetto (waterbus) in Venice refused to wear a mask, angering locals and causing a fight to break out. Visitors should be well prepared to follow the regulations in Italy, even if they differ from their home country.
Most tourist attractions, public transport, restaurants, bars and other amenities are open and functioning as normal, albeit with social distancing rules and the obligation to wear a mask. It is possible that some tourist attractions will require advanced booking and may have longer queues if the venue is taking temperatures upon entry. Visitors may often have their temperature taken when entering a restaurant. When entering a building or getting on public transport, use hand sanitiser if it is provided. Testing booths have been set up in many airports and visitors can download a contact tracing app for Italy.”
August 2020. Audrey – Traveler, E.U. citizen: “Tuscany was very opened to seeing travelers. While some local traditions were either canceled or toned down quite a bit, the villages are still charming to visit, boutiques are open for business and bars and restaurants are more than happy to see you. It’s even advised to book, at least, the day before any larger attraction that you might want to visit in order to be able to get in. The floors of the Siena Duomo were just unveiled while we were there, typically we wouldn’t have gotten in if we had just showed up. We drove to Tuscany from France and were not controlled what so ever. People tend to be comfortable with masks and in many places we saw masked faces mostly. We once were offered to leave an email in a guestbook to be contacted in case of an outbreak in this restaurant but that’s it. Hydroalcoholic gel is available everywhere.”
If you have questions or updates about travel to Italy during the Coronavirus crisis or post-pandemic, please let us know in the comments below.
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Disclaimer: Please note, travel restrictions change frequently. Readers must take responsibility for verifying information through official sources like the State Department and CDC, in respect to their specific situations. No responsibility can be accepted by Intentional Travelers for action or inaction as a result of information provided through IntentionalTravelers.com. Any information provided here is issued as general information only.
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32 Comments
Very useful information, thank you, I will be staying in Sicily for 10 days this July!
Thanks, Wilda. We have a good friend in Tuscany who tells us there is no concern about safety in Italy currently, however, prices and availability of some products/delivery is being significantly affected. We recently sent out a Europe update to newsletter subscribers with the following: “If you have plans to travel to Europe, you may be wondering if it’s still safe. Right now airspace over Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova are on the EASA risk list [CNN]. But most of Western Europe is hundreds of miles from the conflict, and experts are saying there’s no need to cancel trips [AFAR].” We are planning to travel to Italy ourselves in September-October. Of course, as with Covid, each of us have to make our own assessment based on the level of risk we’re willing to accept when we travel.
Why are US citizens not allowed to travel to Italy at this time as you stated below. I copied and pasted from your article…. Can Americans travel to Italy in January 2022? Can US citizens travel to Italy this Winter? Travel to Italy in January is now allowed for US citizens visiting for any reason, including tourism. Read on for details and check back for updates.
Hi Jamie. I think perhaps you have misread “is NOW” as “is not”? I’ll reword it to prevent future confusion. As you’ll find throughout the rest of our post, Italy IS open to Americans under certain protocols. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Michelle, thank you for making this information easy to digest. I’m unclear on the “green pass” and “super green pass”.
– Green pass: proof of vaccination – so our white vaccination cards work – correct? And no proof of booster is required?
– Super Green Pass: unclear here.
Also, is the “health declaration form” and the “dPLF” form the same? If not, are both needed?
I plan to visit Italy starting late Feb – Mar ‘22 and am now wondering if I should push this to June. With it all changing so fast, maybe I’m being overly-cautious?
Kate, I’m glad you’ve found our post helpful. Whether pushing the trip back to June will make much difference is hard to say. I’ve shared a bit about my philosophy on canceling/rescheduling trips here.
Some of the green pass rules are quite new and it is admittedly confusing. Also it may change again by March! Firstly, yes, your white CDC vaccination card will work as your pass, as long as the latest vaccination date qualifies.
There is now a time limit on vaccination for the Green Passes (though not for entry into the country). At the moment, this means that if your last Covid shot was more than 9 months ago, you would need a Covid test within 48 hours before checking into accommodations or taking public transit. Starting February 1st, a booster shot will be needed for persons who have been fully vaccinated for more than 6 months. As I read it, if your last Covid shot is more than 9 months old, then you would not be allowed to do the activities under the Super Green Pass like indoor dining, museums, or spas without a booster. Again, there is not a lot of detail available about how this works practically yet.
Sorry for the confusion about the forms – the self-certification health form I think might be an old term so I’ll update that in our post. The dPLF digital Passenger Locator Form is what is now required before travel.
Hi there and thank you for your lovely blog. I am traveling to Italy in February, and my second vaccine dose would be older than 6 months, and not able to get a third dose before arrival. Does than mean that I won’t have a green pass and need to undergo a pcr to enter some places?
Auba, thank you for your question. We were surprised by this restriction. It’s all quite new so how this works out practically may change, but I read it as you do. To confirm, I also found this: “All arrivals to Italy with vaccinations considered as expired by Italian standards (see line above) are required to do Rapid COVID-19 tests (available in local pharmacies and test centres) to obtain a Green Pass, which will be valid for 48 hours. The test provider will print your test results and will email you a unique code. You will then need to access the Government website (in Italian) and enter your details. Select the option ‘Utente senza tessera sanitaria’ (‘User without a health card’). You will be prompted to enter the type and number of the ID you showed when you got your test, as well as the code on your test certificate. Click ‘Ricupera certificazione’ (‘Get certificate’) to download your digital test result. You will need to continue with this process for the duration of your stay to enable travel within Italy and to access hospitality and leisure venues including bars, restaurants, museums, exhibitions, sporting events, fairs, civil or religious ceremonies and large events.”
Nice post! I recently applied for an Italy Visa but was sceptical about the travel restrictions imposed by Italian authorities. So, I started searching for some answers and that is how I came across your informative article. It talks about all the important details that a first-time Italian traveller like me should know. Do share such informative blogs about other countries and any possible restrictions that they are imposing. It might come in handy for a lot of tourists who want to get out of their homes after a long season of the pandemic.
Thanks for a great info. Did they ask the covid pass in the public transport? I read that in intercity trains require at least but would like to know the reality. And if Unvaccinated customers can enter an establishment to buy food, but they are not allowed to eat indoors, are there many restaurants with outdoor areas that can be used without the passport? Thanks a lot
Thanks for your questions. The green pass is required in Italy for domestic planes, ferries, inter-regional trains and long-distance buses. For public transit within a city like buses and metros, there are capacity controls and masks required but not the green pass. Taxi drivers do not check for the green pass. Yes, many restaurants in Italy have outdoor seating. We’ll do our best to gather more testimonials about what this looks like on the ground to update our post in the future.
Trying very hard to find out exactly what happens and what options are available to you should you happen to test COVID positive before your flight back to USA. Especially now that fully vaccinated folks are testing positive. Please advise as soon as possible. Thank you!!
Hi and thanks for visiting our blog. According to the CDC website, “People should self-isolate and delay their travel if symptoms develop or a pre-departure test result is positive until they have recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must refuse to board anyone who does not present a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery.” So options are pretty limited at the moment if you test positive before returning to the U.S., and I haven’t heard whether that will be reevaluated any time soon.
Hi Michelle! I am a US citizen and I planned for an Italian trip Sept 3-15. Today is the first day i see about the quarantine requirement lift being ended on August 30. Does this mean August 30 they may decide to implement the quarantine period again? Do you think I will be able to do my trip or will it depend on how the Italian government reacts to this upcoming month? Thank you!
Kim, thanks for visiting our blog. The requirements may not necessarily be lifted but rather *reevaluated* at the end of August. It’s not possible to predict what the decision will be at this time. I’m sure Italy wants to keep tourism open and has new protocols like the Green Pass in place to do so more safely, but each country has to weigh that against health and hospitalization risks. For vaccinated travelers, being able to travel is more likely this Fall but nothing’s guaranteed as things continue to change quickly with this delta variant. I know the uncertainty is difficult, which I wrote about in our recent post here: https://intentionaltravelers.com/should-i-reschedule-my-trip/
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for the reply, we knew there would be a risk to canceling the trip and we are very understanding and flexible. I just hope that we know in advance enough to not give our hopes up. We are vaccinated so hopefully if they restrict anything it’s unvaccinated folks. I’ll keep an eye out for updates!
We are having a lay over at Heathrow Airport. My interpretation of the Covid rules say we will have to quarantine in Venice for 5 days. Is there a “safe zone” in Heathrow that will allow us to enter Venice when we arrive. We are both vaccinated and have digital copies of our CDC vaccine card.
Thanks for visiting our blog, David. It is my understanding that a layover in the UK would mean you’d need to quarantine for five days in Italy, even if you’re only transiting through the airport unfortunately. I have seen reports of recent travelers rerouting flights to avoid the UK for this reason. It appears the requirement is to be in place through August 30, so if you travel after that, it’s possible the rule could change but there are no guarantees.
Ciao Gianna. Please see the section in our post labeled “What Covid testing options are available for travelers returning to the U.S.?” for these details.
Great blog We’re travelling to Northern Italy in September and supposed to go to a outdoor concert in Marostica. Do you know if there is any plans to cancel outdoor gatherings? Thanks
Hello and thanks for visiting our blog. It’s still too early to know what restrictions might be in place in which regions come September, but we will be sure to update this post as the situation changes. If the concert takes place as scheduled, you’ll likely need a “green certificate” to attend.
Thanks for your question. We were actually just in process of updating this post with new information! More details may be forthcoming but it appears that Americans will be able to show a hard copy of their vaccination card, official proof of recovery, or a negative test result taken within 48 hours in place of the digital pass. We’ll be sure to update our information here as more details become available.
That is a good question. We have covered the free first Sunday opportunity previously on our blog, however, the colosseum now follows a different schedule. Entrance is free on select dates throughout the year, however, I have not been able to find a list of those dates for 2021. I would expect that might be published in a bit further in the future.
Hi Jiang. Thank you for visiting our blog. That information is correct. A CDC vaccination card can be used by US travelers to obtain a “Green Pass”. US travelers with a “Green Pass” are no longer required to undergo testing or quarantine in Italy.
Very useful information, thank you, I will be staying in Sicily for 10 days this July!
Hi! Great info! Is it safe traveling to Italy now from the US because of Ukrania- Russia conflict?
Thanks!
Thanks, Wilda. We have a good friend in Tuscany who tells us there is no concern about safety in Italy currently, however, prices and availability of some products/delivery is being significantly affected.
We recently sent out a Europe update to newsletter subscribers with the following: “If you have plans to travel to Europe, you may be wondering if it’s still safe. Right now airspace over Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova are on the EASA risk list [CNN]. But most of Western Europe is hundreds of miles from the conflict, and experts are saying there’s no need to cancel trips [AFAR].”
We are planning to travel to Italy ourselves in September-October. Of course, as with Covid, each of us have to make our own assessment based on the level of risk we’re willing to accept when we travel.
Is there a current ban on US citizens (vaccinated or not) traveling to Italy?
Why are US citizens not allowed to travel to Italy at this time as you stated below. I copied and pasted from your article….
Can Americans travel to
Italy in January 2022?
Can US citizens travel to
Italy this Winter?
Travel to Italy in January is now allowed
for US citizens visiting for any reason,
including tourism. Read on for details and
check back for updates.
Hi Jamie. I think perhaps you have misread “is NOW” as “is not”? I’ll reword it to prevent future confusion. As you’ll find throughout the rest of our post, Italy IS open to Americans under certain protocols. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Michelle, thank you for making this information easy to digest. I’m unclear on the “green pass” and “super green pass”.
– Green pass: proof of vaccination – so our white vaccination cards work – correct? And no proof of booster is required?
– Super Green Pass: unclear here.
Also, is the “health declaration form” and the “dPLF” form the same? If not, are both needed?
I plan to visit Italy starting late Feb – Mar ‘22 and am now wondering if I should push this to June. With it all changing so fast, maybe I’m being overly-cautious?
Kate, I’m glad you’ve found our post helpful. Whether pushing the trip back to June will make much difference is hard to say. I’ve shared a bit about my philosophy on canceling/rescheduling trips here.
Some of the green pass rules are quite new and it is admittedly confusing. Also it may change again by March!
Firstly, yes, your white CDC vaccination card will work as your pass, as long as the latest vaccination date qualifies.
There is now a time limit on vaccination for the Green Passes (though not for entry into the country). At the moment, this means that if your last Covid shot was more than 9 months ago, you would need a Covid test within 48 hours before checking into accommodations or taking public transit. Starting February 1st, a booster shot will be needed for persons who have been fully vaccinated for more than 6 months. As I read it, if your last Covid shot is more than 9 months old, then you would not be allowed to do the activities under the Super Green Pass like indoor dining, museums, or spas without a booster. Again, there is not a lot of detail available about how this works practically yet.
Sorry for the confusion about the forms – the self-certification health form I think might be an old term so I’ll update that in our post. The dPLF digital Passenger Locator Form is what is now required before travel.
Hi there and thank you for your lovely blog.
I am traveling to Italy in February, and my second vaccine dose would be older than 6 months, and not able to get a third dose before arrival. Does than mean that I won’t have a green pass and need to undergo a pcr to enter some places?
Auba, thank you for your question. We were surprised by this restriction. It’s all quite new so how this works out practically may change, but I read it as you do. To confirm, I also found this:
“All arrivals to Italy with vaccinations considered as expired by Italian standards (see line above) are required to do Rapid COVID-19 tests (available in local pharmacies and test centres) to obtain a Green Pass, which will be valid for 48 hours. The test provider will print your test results and will email you a unique code. You will then need to access the Government website (in Italian) and enter your details. Select the option ‘Utente senza tessera sanitaria’ (‘User without a health card’). You will be prompted to enter the type and number of the ID you showed when you got your test, as well as the code on your test certificate. Click ‘Ricupera certificazione’ (‘Get certificate’) to download your digital test result. You will need to continue with this process for the duration of your stay to enable travel within Italy and to access hospitality and leisure venues including bars, restaurants, museums, exhibitions, sporting events, fairs, civil or religious ceremonies and large events.”
Nice post! I recently applied for an Italy Visa but was sceptical about the travel restrictions imposed by Italian authorities. So, I started searching for some answers and that is how I came across your informative article. It talks about all the important details that a first-time Italian traveller like me should know. Do share such informative blogs about other countries and any possible restrictions that they are imposing. It might come in handy for a lot of tourists who want to get out of their homes after a long season of the pandemic.
Thanks for a great info. Did they ask the covid pass in the public transport? I read that in intercity trains require at least but would like to know the reality. And if Unvaccinated customers can enter an establishment to buy food, but they are not allowed to eat indoors, are there many restaurants with outdoor areas that can be used without the passport? Thanks a lot
Thanks for your questions. The green pass is required in Italy for domestic planes, ferries, inter-regional trains and long-distance buses. For public transit within a city like buses and metros, there are capacity controls and masks required but not the green pass. Taxi drivers do not check for the green pass. Yes, many restaurants in Italy have outdoor seating. We’ll do our best to gather more testimonials about what this looks like on the ground to update our post in the future.
Trying very hard to find out exactly what happens and what options are available to you should you happen to test COVID positive before your flight back to USA. Especially now that fully vaccinated folks are testing positive. Please advise as soon as possible. Thank you!!
Hi and thanks for visiting our blog. According to the CDC website, “People should self-isolate and delay their travel if symptoms develop or a pre-departure test result is positive until they have recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must refuse to board anyone who does not present a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery.” So options are pretty limited at the moment if you test positive before returning to the U.S., and I haven’t heard whether that will be reevaluated any time soon.
Hi Michelle!
I am a US citizen and I planned for an Italian trip Sept 3-15. Today is the first day i see about the quarantine requirement lift being ended on August 30. Does this mean August 30 they may decide to implement the quarantine period again?
Do you think I will be able to do my trip or will it depend on how the Italian government reacts to this upcoming month?
Thank you!
Kim, thanks for visiting our blog. The requirements may not necessarily be lifted but rather *reevaluated* at the end of August. It’s not possible to predict what the decision will be at this time. I’m sure Italy wants to keep tourism open and has new protocols like the Green Pass in place to do so more safely, but each country has to weigh that against health and hospitalization risks. For vaccinated travelers, being able to travel is more likely this Fall but nothing’s guaranteed as things continue to change quickly with this delta variant. I know the uncertainty is difficult, which I wrote about in our recent post here: https://intentionaltravelers.com/should-i-reschedule-my-trip/
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for the reply, we knew there would be a risk to canceling the trip and we are very understanding and flexible. I just hope that we know in advance enough to not give our hopes up. We are vaccinated so hopefully if they restrict anything it’s unvaccinated folks. I’ll keep an eye out for updates!
We are having a lay over at Heathrow Airport. My interpretation of the Covid rules say we will have to quarantine in Venice for 5 days. Is there a “safe zone” in Heathrow that will allow us to enter Venice when we arrive. We are both vaccinated and have digital copies of our CDC vaccine card.
Thanks for visiting our blog, David. It is my understanding that a layover in the UK would mean you’d need to quarantine for five days in Italy, even if you’re only transiting through the airport unfortunately. I have seen reports of recent travelers rerouting flights to avoid the UK for this reason. It appears the requirement is to be in place through August 30, so if you travel after that, it’s possible the rule could change but there are no guarantees.
Hi. I am traveling to Italy in 3 weeks. Where can i get a negative covid test for my re entry to the US. Pharmacy?? Thanks.
Ciao Gianna. Please see the section in our post labeled “What Covid testing options are available for travelers returning to the U.S.?” for these details.
Great blog
We’re travelling to Northern Italy in September and supposed to go to a outdoor concert in Marostica.
Do you know if there is any plans to cancel outdoor gatherings?
Thanks
Hello and thanks for visiting our blog. It’s still too early to know what restrictions might be in place in which regions come September, but we will be sure to update this post as the situation changes. If the concert takes place as scheduled, you’ll likely need a “green certificate” to attend.
How as an American travelers do I obtain a Green Pass?
Thanks for your question. We were actually just in process of updating this post with new information! More details may be forthcoming but it appears that Americans will be able to show a hard copy of their vaccination card, official proof of recovery, or a negative test result taken within 48 hours in place of the digital pass. We’ll be sure to update our information here as more details become available.
Is colosseum ticket free on the first Sunday of every month after pandemic?
That is a good question. We have covered the free first Sunday opportunity previously on our blog, however, the colosseum now follows a different schedule. Entrance is free on select dates throughout the year, however, I have not been able to find a list of those dates for 2021. I would expect that might be published in a bit further in the future.
News all say US travelers can present CDC vaccination card to skip testing. Not true? June 30 2021
Hi Jiang. Thank you for visiting our blog. That information is correct. A CDC vaccination card can be used by US travelers to obtain a “Green Pass”. US travelers with a “Green Pass” are no longer required to undergo testing or quarantine in Italy.
Excellent info!
Thank you for visiting the blog. Safe travels.