Italy Travel Restrictions For Non-EU Travellers

Italy is set to ease Covid travel rules for non-EU arrivals on 1 March 2022.

Italy will no longer require travellers to show both proofs of vaccination or recovery from Covid and a negative test result.

“Starting from March 1st, for arrivals from all non-European countries, the same rules already established for European countries will be in force,”
Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza

The change means arrivals from non-EU countries from March will no longer need to show both proofs of vaccination or recent recovery plus a negative test result, as is currently the case.

Italy has already simplified its travel rules for anyone arriving in the country from within the EU and Schengen zone. Arrivals just need to show either proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative COVID-19 test.

The test can either be a negative lateral flow test taken within 24 hours before arrival or a PCR test taken within 48 hours. Tests must be from a certified provider and home test kits are not allowed.

Travel From UK to Italy

At present, passengers from the UK need to show their vaccination certificate and provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter Italy. The test can either be a PCR test taken within 48 hours or a lateral flow test taken up to 24 hours before arrival.

Only tests from a certified provider will be accepted.

The UK is currently on Italy's ‘List D', which means it is classified as medium risk.

The NHS COVID-19 Travel Pass can be used as a Green Pass in Italy, as long as the QR code is readable.

However, if you haven't had your booster, your second dose must have been received no more than six months ago, that's 180 days. Alternatively, you can show a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued in the last six months, along with proof of two doses.

Italy’s ‘Super Green Pass'

Italian residents and visitors must carry a ‘Super Green Pass’ to access most indoor places.

This new type of green pass was launched on 10 January, and it shows proof of vaccination or recovery from the virus within the last six months.

It is required in cinemas, theatres and stadiums, restaurants, both indoors and outdoors, as well as to be allowed into hotels, ski lifts, museums, archaeological sites, gyms, and swimming pools, along with a range of other activities ranging from wedding receptions and bingo halls to festivals and theme parks.

It is also required on all forms of public transport including planes, trains, ships, buses, trams, and subways.

Non-EU travellers can use their home country’s proof of vaccination or recovery. Within Italy, a basic green pass is a negative test result within the past 48 hours.

When asked for a basic green pass in Italy, non-EU travellers need to show a document proving ONE of the following:

complete vaccination against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna/Spikevax, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria, Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) and with the final dose not more than 6 months -OR-
certificate of recovery from COVID-19 not more than 6 months and completion of medical isolation within the last 180 days (recovery certificate accompanied by a sworn translation in Italian); -OR-
negative result from a rapid molecular taken within 72 hours or antigen test performed within the past 48 hours.

Individuals who have received a booster dose OR recovered from Covid after completing the initial vaccination cycle will now have a vaccination/recovery certificate without any expiration date. i.e., the six-month timeframe no longer applies in these cases. (The only possible reason this would change in the future is if and when the EMA and AIFA issue new guidance regarding a fourth dose).

Visitors who have a vaccination or recovery certificates more than six months old and have only completed their initial vaccination cycle (generally two doses, with the exception of the one-dose J&J vaccine), or have recovered from Covid without having previously completed their initial vaccination cycle, will need to take a rapid antigen test every 48 hours or a PCR test every 72 hours to access venues that require a super green pass.

There has been widespread speculation in Italian media that the green pass system could be scrapped entirely from 31 March, when the country’s state of emergency is due to end, however, the government has not announced a definite date.

Italy's rules can change at short notice thus it is recommended to check the Italian Health Ministry’s travel information page before your trip.

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