ETIAS for Italy

Italy is one of the most-visited countries in the Schengen Area, and ETIAS will apply to visits to Italy under exactly the same rules that apply across the rest of the zone. Once the system launches — expected in the final quarter of 2026 — a single approved ETIAS will cover entry into Italy just as it covers Germany, Spain, or any other Schengen state, with no separate Italy-specific visa-waiver process to learn. From the canals of Venice to the Colosseum in Rome and the coastline of the Amalfi Coast, Italy draws travelers from across the visa-exempt world for both short city breaks and longer touring holidays.

Getting to Italy

Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is Italy's largest international gateway, followed by Milan Malpensa (MXP), Venice Marco Polo (VCE), and Naples International Airport (NAP), among others. Regional airports serving Bologna, Catania, and Palermo add further connections, particularly for travelers heading to specific regions such as Sicily or the north of the country. Italy is also a common entry and exit point for Mediterranean cruise travelers and for overland travelers arriving from neighboring Schengen countries such as France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia. ETIAS is checked at whichever Schengen border you cross first, which for many travelers to Italy will be an Italian airport.

Do I Need ETIAS to Visit Italy?

Yes. Visa-exempt travelers, including passport holders from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Japan, will need an approved ETIAS to enter Italy once the system launches. It allows stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period and costs €20, with the fee waived for applicants under 18 or over 70 — identical to the terms that apply in every other Schengen country.

Does ETIAS Also Cover Other Countries If I'm Travelling Onward From Italy?

Yes. Because ETIAS is a single Schengen-wide authorization rather than an Italian visa, the same approval that lets you enter Italy also covers onward travel to other Schengen countries during the same trip — an itinerary that combines Italy with France or Switzerland, for instance, does not require separate applications. This is useful for travelers combining Italy with a wider European itinerary, such as a rail trip through the Alps into Austria or Switzerland. Time spent in any Schengen country still counts toward the same shared 90-day allowance.