Summer is just around the corner and thousands of Brits are preparing for some time away in the sunshine. After two years of pandemic restrictions, many of us are excited to be jetting off abroad for a much-needed holiday.
Italy is one of the most popular destinations for British tourists every year and the country is very much open to holidaymakers and tourists this summer - but there are various entry requirements in place.
Among them, people visiting Italy currently need to have a "Green Pass" - also known as a digital Covid certificate - to show they have been vaccinated or have fully recovered from having Covid-19. Additionally, every visitor must be wearing a specialist FFP2 mask in order to enter the country and must have had their passport for less than 10 years, with at least three months left on their passport by the date they plan on leaving.
Here is the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office at the time of publication. Rules and regulations change frequently, so it's always worth checking the latest updates before you travel.
Entry requirements for Italy
To visit Italy, you currently need a "Green Pass," also known as an EU digital Covid certificate, to show you have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. You can obtain a Green Pass, which is valid for 48 hours, by testing negative to a rapid Covid-19 test from a local pharmacy or test centre, the UK Foreign Office says. A Green Pass is also required for people to accompany non-Covid patients to a hospital or specialist medical centre.
Alternatively, you can get a "Super Green Pass" to show you have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19. Italy will accept the UK's proof of Covid-19 recovery and vaccination record as the equivalent to a Super Green Pass - as long as it is in the form of a verifiable QR code.
Passenger locator forms are no longer required for people travelling to or through Italy, but proof of vaccination is required. The UK Foreign Office explains: "From May 1 travellers will no longer be required to complete a passenger locator form (EU PLF) to enter or travel through Italy as a visitor. Until May 31, all travellers aged 6 and over must show one of the following: proof of vaccination or evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy or a Covid-19 recovery certificate, certifying that you have recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months.
"If you cannot present evidence of vaccination or a negative test or a Covid-19 recovery certificate, you will need to: travel to your final destination in Italy by private transport, remain in self-isolation for five days, take another PCR or rapid lateral flow test at the end of the five days' self-isolation. If the test is negative, you can leave self-isolation."
Plus, according to the UK Foreign Office, FFP2 masks are compulsory when entering Italy by plane, ferry, train, or coach. This rule is in place until at least June 15. Face-masks are also compulsory on public transport across Italy - including commercial flights and boat/ferry trips - and at indoor public venues including theatres, concert halls, cinemas, live music clubs and indoor sporting events. They're also compulsory when visiting healthcare facilities.
Passport validity rules for Italy
All British passports have an expiry date. Usually, an under-18's passport lasts for five years and an over-18's passport lasts for 10 years. But, depending on how many months were left on your passport when you renewed it. Some people's passports have an expiry date slightly later than 10 years after the issue date - but, unfortunately, these extra months aren't always valid.
According to the Foreign Office, people travelling to Italy must have a passport that has been:
- issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the "date of issue")
- valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the "expiry date")
"You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date," the Foreign Office website explains.
