Italy travel guide

Overview

Travel tip

To experience authentic flavors, try to eat pasta at local restaurants.

Before you go

Italy is in the Schengen area, so many tourists can stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but visa requirements depend on your nationality. No separate electronic travel authorization such as ESTA, K-ETA, UK ETA, or eTA is generally required for entry to Italy, and there is no traveler pre-registration system like a QR-based arrival card currently in regular use for this purpose. Paper arrival cards are usually not required, but if you are carrying goods or cash that must be declared under EU customs rules, check the declaration requirements before you travel.

Entry procedure

1. Go through Schengen border control

   In most cases, you first present your passport and confirm that your visit is for tourism. At Schengen entry, biometric registration such as fingerprints and a facial image may be taken depending on your nationality, and some travelers may be eligible to use an e-Gate.

2. Check whether ETIAS applies

   For tourist entry, paper arrival cards are generally not used; the process mainly relies on your passport and entry stamp. If ETIAS becomes applicable by the time you travel, eligible travelers will need approval before departure, so check the latest rules for your trip date.

3. Check baggage and restricted items

   Meat, dairy products, fruit, plants, and similar items may be restricted under EU customs and phytosanitary rules, and you may need to declare or discard them. If you are carrying goods or cash above duty-free or declaration limits, make the required customs declaration.

Exit procedure

1. Handle any customs declarations first

   When leaving Italy, check whether any items you are taking out are restricted, as cultural goods and certain food or plant products may be subject to rules. If you plan to claim a refund, prepare the required forms and goods before arriving at the airport.

2. Get VAT refund validation at the airport

   In Italy, tax-free shopping refunds are usually processed after customs or refund counter verification of the receipt, goods, and passport. Some items may need to be shown before airline check-in, so allow extra time.

3. Complete exit control and boarding

   When leaving Italy, have your passport and boarding pass ready and go through exit control if required. Schengen departures are usually straightforward, but security checks and boarding lines can still take time depending on the flight.

Cities in Italy