us tourist visa fees in italy

Tourist Visa In Italy: A Simple Guide

Introduction.

Ah, Italy—the land of endless pasta, art that’ll make you weep, and tourist visa paperwork. Yes, you heard that last part right.

Before you traipse through Tuscan vineyards or strike a pose with the Leaning Tower, there’s some red tape to cut. Fear not, we’re making this as painless as an Italian espresso shot.

What Is A Tourist/Visitor Visa To Italy?

A Schengan visa allows the individual to travel to all 27 countries associated with the Schengen area. Even if you only want to travel to Italy, you’ll still be allowed to go to the other 26 countries for as long as you possess a Schenegen visa.

A Schengen visa is purely for the purpose of tourism and sightseeing and is issued in the form of a sticker on the individual’s passport.

The visa, under any circumstances, cannot be used for purposes other than that of tourism. You cannot study on the basis of a Schengen visa and can also not apply for jobs. For these purposes, you can either apply for a student or work visa.

Do I Need To Apply For A Schengen Visa To Visit Italy?

Depending on your citizenship/nationality, the individual might not have to apply for a visa if he/she meets certain demands established by the Schengen states. 

There’s a list of above 60 countries which are exempted from applying for a visa to visit a Schengen state.

If an individual does or does not require a visa depends on certain factors:

Starting from 2024, all individuals from visa exempt countries will be required to have travel authorization for the purposes of entering the Schengen countries. The ETIAS is valid for up to 3 years .

How To Obtain An Italy Tourist/Visitor Visa

The following steps summarise the steps you need to go through to apply for a tourist visa for Italy:

• Check if you’re eligible to apply for a Schengen visa or not.
• Plan the trip. In some cases, you might have to verify where you’re staying or who your host is in Italy.
• Gather the correct documents required for you to apply for a visa.
• Complete the visa application form .
• Schedule an appointment for the interview .
• If you’re successful in passing the interview, submit the visa fee and wait for it to be processed.
• After the processing period, you’ll receive a Shengene visa sticker in your passport and will be allowed to travel to Italy.

Italy Tourist/Visitor Visa Application Requirements

The documents required for applying for a Schengen visa are as listed down below:

• Italy visa application form . Completed with all the details required with the individual’s signature at the end.
• The Schengen visa photo criteria required two recent photos of the individual, preferably no older than 3 months.
• A valid passport . It shouldn’t be older than 10 years and should have a 3 month validity period after that of your trip. It should also include at least 2 blank pages for attaching the Schengen visa sticker.
• A document of the itinerary which includes the dates of the flights and flight numbers so that the government can track when you enter and exit the Schengen area.
• Evidence regarding having purchased health insurance up to at least £30000 for the duration of your stay in Italy. 
• Proof of accommodation . Documents showing where you’ll be staying in Italy or showing rent agreement as evidence in case of renting out a place.
• Bank statements are required as proof of your financial stability to demonstrate that you can support yourself. A sponsorship letter will be required in case of the individual being sponsored by a host.
• Evidence of Civil status . This includes your marriage status, birth certificate of your children or death certificate of spouse etc.
• Employer contract
• A signed leave permission slip from the employer
• Income tax return
• Provide a duplicate of your business licence 
• Latest bank statements of the company 
• Enrollment proof
• Proof that the university has no problem with the student travelling.
• Letter of consent from the individuals legal guardians 
• Passport copies of parents/guardians.
• Proof of adoption in case of the individual being adopted.

The Italian government is rather strict when it comes to handing out travel visas so it can be a bit of a hassle to collect all the documentation required. You can visit the visa application centre or the embassy if you need any help.

Where To Apply For An Italy Tourist/Visit Visa?

The place where you’ll be submitting your Schengen visa application depends on where you plan on staying the most. If you only want to visit Italy, then you may have to apply at:

• Their embassy
• One of their consulates
• A visa centre
• The embassy or consulate of any other Schengen state which accepts visa applications for your preferred destination

If you plan on spending all your days in one of the Schengen countries then you’ll have to apply to their respective centres.

If you want to spend an unequal amount of days in multiple Schengen countries then you’ll submit all your forms to the embassy/consulate of the country that you’ll be spending most of your time in.

In case of spending an equal amount of days in each country, submit your application to the visa centre of the country you step in first

When To Apply For A Tourist/Visitor Visa In Italy?

Schengen visa applications take time to be processed by the embassy/consulates. The forms must be submitted as per the proper time allocations:

• Earliest you can apply is six months prior to the trip.
• Latest you can apply is 15 days before the trip.
• It is recommended that you file your application 3 weeks before your trip.

Visa Fees For A Tourist/Visitor Visa

The cost for applying for a Schengan visa are as follows:

How Long Does It Take To Process An Italy Short Stay Visa For Tourism?

Under ideal circumstances, the process should take no longer than 15 working days , although under certain circumstances it may take anywhere between 15-45 business days for your application to be fully processed.

How Long Can You Stay In Italy With A Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa allows the individual to stay in Italy for a maximum of 90 days within a 6 month time duration.

If you plan on staying there for more than 90 days , then you’ll have to apply for an Italian national visa instead.

Can An Italy Schengen Visa Be Converted Into A Residence Permit?

The Schengen visa only allows for a temporary stay in Italy for up to 90 days and cannot be converted into a residence permit.

And there you have it: your quick and (mostly) pain-free guide to snagging a tourist visa for Italy. The Colosseum and Amalfi Coast are practically calling your name.

Italy Awaits!

But wait! There’s lot more that you might be interested in following:

• Types Of Visas In Italy
• Tax Refund In Italy
• Citizenship in

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Visitor Visa

Visa Waiver Program

Travel Without a Visa

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).

Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:

Business (B-1)

• Consult with business associates
• Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
• Settle an estate
• Negotiate a contract

Tourism (B-2)

• Vacation (holiday)
• Visit with friends or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas

These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa:

• Paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, in radio, film, print journalism, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

Visitor visas will also not be issued for birth tourism (travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the United States to obtain U.S. citizenship for their child).

How to Apply

There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate website .

Complete the Online Visa Application

• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about completing the DS-160 . You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements .

Schedule an Interview

Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. 

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply: 

Appointment Wait Time

Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Note: Please check the individual Embassy or Consulate website to determine if your case is eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times.

Select a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Prepare for your interview.

• Fees - Pay the non-refundable visa application fee , if you are required to pay it before your interview. If your visa is approved, you may also need to pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality. Fee information is provided below:

Select your nationality to see Issuance Fee

• Review the instructions available on the website of the  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  where you will apply to learn more about fee payment.

Gather Required Documentation

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ). Each individual who needs a visa must submit a separate application, including any family members listed in your passport.
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.
• Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements .

Additional Documentation May Be Required

Review the instructions for how to apply for a visa on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of:

• The purpose of your trip,
• Your intent to depart the United States after your trip, and/or
• Your ability to pay all costs of the trip.   

Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your trip and your intent to return to your home country. If you cannot cover all the costs for your trip, you may show evidence that another person will cover some or all costs for your trip.

Note:  Visa applicants must qualify on the basis of the applicant's residence and ties abroad, rather than assurances from U.S. family and friends. A letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support is not needed to apply for a visitor visa. If you choose to bring a letter of invitation or Affidavit of Support to your interview, please remember it is not one of the factors used in determining whether to issue or deny the visa.

Attend Your Visa Interview

A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a visitor visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.   Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further  administrative processing .  The consular officer will inform you if this required.

After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you.  Review the  visa processing times  to learn more.

Entering the United States

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website .

Extending Your Stay

See  Extend Your Stay  on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website to learn about requesting to extend your stay beyond the date indicated on your admission stamp or paper Form I-94. 

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being  out of status . Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ).  Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States. 

Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future. Review  Visa Denials  and  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws  to learn more.

Change of Status

If your plans change while in the United States (for example, you marry a U.S. citizen or receive an offer of employment), you may be able to request a change in your nonimmigrant status to another category through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). See  Change My Nonimmigrant Status  on the USCIS website to learn more.

While you are in the United States, receiving a change of status from USCIS does not require you to apply for a new visa.  However, once you depart the United States you must apply for a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the appropriate category for your travel.

Additional Information

• An individual on a visitor visa (B1/B2) is not permitted to accept employment or work in the United States.
• There is no guarantee you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa.
• A valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States. 

Travel for Medical Treatment

If you are seeking medical treatment in the United States, the consular officer may ask for further documents at your visa interview, which may include:

• Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason you need treatment in the United States.
• Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating they are willing to treat your specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
• Proof that your transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either yours or the person or organization paying for your treatment).

Visitor Visas for Personal or Domestic Employees (B-1)

You may apply for a B-1 visitor visa to work in the United States as a personal or domestic employee for your employer in limited situations. You may work in the United States on a visitor visa if your employer is:

• A U.S. citizen who has a permanent home or is stationed in a foreign country, but is visiting or is assigned to the United States temporarily; or
• A foreign citizen who is in the United States on one of the following nonimmigrant visa categories:  B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q.

Learn more about your rights in the United States and protection available to you by reading the Legal Rights and Protections pamphlet.

Visa Renewal

Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process (please review How to Apply , above). Some applicants seeking to renew their visas in certain visa classes may be eligible for the Interview Waiver (IW) which allows qualified individuals to apply for visa renewals without being interviewed in person by a U.S. consular officer. Review the instructions on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to determine if the IW is available and if you qualify.

Do I need a visa if I have an ABTC?

Yes, you will still need a visa to travel to the United States, unless you qualify for the  Visa Waiver Program . Having an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC) does not change visa requirements, your visa status, or the visa process for travel to the United States.

How can I use my ABTC when I apply for my visa?

If you have an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC),  you might be able to schedule an expedited visa interview appointment. Review the instructions for scheduling expedited appointments on the website of the  embassy or consulate  where you will apply. 

Visa Annotations for Certain Maritime Industry Workers

Certain foreign maritime workers are eligible to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) once in the U.S. If you, as a maritime industry worker, will perform services in secure port areas, your visa must be annotated “TWIC Letter Received.” Workers whose visas are not annotated will not be permitted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to apply for a TWIC.

In order for your visa to be annotated, you must obtain a letter from your employer explaining the need for a TWIC and that you are a potential TWIC applicant. See a template example of this letter. You must present this letter when you apply for the B-1 visa. You must meet all other eligibility requirements for a B-1 visa. 

Complete information about the TWIC program is available on TSA’s website at  https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic .

Visa Denial and Ineligibility

Review  Visa Denials  for detailed information about visa ineligibilities, denials and waivers.

I was refused a visa, under Section 214(b). May I reapply?

Yes, if you feel circumstances have changed regarding your application. Review  Visa Denials  to learn more.

Misrepresentation or Fraud

Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.

Review  Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws .

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States, for visit, tourism and temporary business travel purposes. For more information see  U.S. Embassy Ottawa website ,  U.S. Consulate Hamilton website  and  CBP website .

Additional resources for Canadian visitors to the United States can be found on the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada.

Citizens of China

In accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports will be required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application via a website every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first.  This mechanism is called EVUS - Electronic Visa Update System.

The EVUS website is now open to the public for enrollments at www.EVUS.gov .  CBP will not collect a fee for EVUS enrollment at this time. CBP anticipates the eventual implementation of an EVUS enrollment fee, but does not have a time frame. Until the implementation of a fee, travelers can enroll in EVUS without charge.  The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will keep visa holders informed of new information throughout the year. For further information, please visit  www.cbp.gov/EVUS .‎

根据美中双方签署的延长签证有效期的协议，自2016年11月29日起，凡持有10 年 期B1，B2 或 B1/B2签证的中华人民共和国护照持有人需要每两年或在获取新护照或最长有效期的B1、B2或B1/B2签证时时（以先到者为准），通过网站更新他们签证申请上的个人资料及其它信息。这个机制我们称之为EVUS –签证更新电子系统。

EVUS的登记网站 www.EVUS.gov 现已开放接受登记。美国海关和边境保护局（CBP）目前不会收取登记费用。美国海关和边境保护局预期EVUS登记收费最终会实施，但目前尚未落实执行时间。在收费实施前，旅客可以免费完成EVUS登记。美国国土安全部海关和边境保护局将在今年及时向签证持有人公布最新的信息。获取更多的信息，请访问 www.cbp.gov/EVUS 。

Citizens of Mexico

Citizens and permanent residents of Mexico generally must have a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card (also known as a "Laser Visa"). For ease of travel, the B-1/B-2 and the Border Crossing Card have been combined into one document (DSP-150). Select  Border Crossing Card  to learn more about this card.

Please visit  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  websites for more information regarding applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Mexico.

Further Questions

• Case-Specific Questions - Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your visa application for status information. Select  U.S. Embassy or Consulate  for contact information.
• General Questions - review  Contact Us .

Visa Waiver Program  (VWP)

Tourist or business travelers who are citizens of participating countries may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa. Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism and visits.

More Information

A-Z Index Legal Rights & Protections Lost/Stolen Travel Documents Denials Fraud Warning Visa Expiration Date Automatic Revalidation Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico Visa Applicants - State Sponsors of Terrorism Border Security/Safety Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Customer Service Statement

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Yes, americans need a “visa” to travel to italy in 2025 – how to get it.

Updated 21 March 2024.

Starting in 2025, US citizens will need a (kind of) visa to visit Italy.

Before anyone freaks out, the new rule is actually more of a visa waiver program than a visa requirement and will be known as European Travel Information and Authorization System , or ETIAS.

I am American and I have always had a visa to live in Italy, but you currently do not need a visa to visit Italy for less than 90 days within a 180 day period if you have an American passport. 

Once the travel restrictions are eased, Americans can still book their return flights and show up in Italy without a visa and without worrying about obtaining the official waiver through the end of 2024. And it is not just Americans – currently there are 1.4 billion people living in the 60 countries with visa free entry, and all will now have to register with ETIAS for pre-authorization to enter. 

Initially, the program was slated to start in 2021. That has now been pushed back because of delays with Europe’s travel tracking program (and likely because of the travel interruptions caused by the global health crisis). In 2020 it was announced that US citizens will still need to have a visa waiver in the future to visit European countries which are a part of the Schengen – an area made up of 26 European countries that currently allow passport-free travel between their borders. 

The new ETIAS system is very similar to what most non-Americans need to enter the U.S.:  ESTA – Electronic System for Travel Authorization. And that is what US citizens will need to travel to Italy in 2025 – an authorization, not a visa.

Visas are hard to get and involve a great deal of documentation and scrutiny. The new system will likely be an online application that will take a few minutes to complete. Most people will pay a small fee (likely less than €20) and be approved instantly. A few others will need to provide additional documentation, and a very select few will be denied. 

Once you have applied and been approved, your ETIAS should be valid for four years, so you don’t need to apply every time you want to visit Italy or other Schengen countries in Europe. You simply need to keep track of your application number and be ready to share it when you speak with the border control.

I am familiar with the ETSA process because my husband is an EU citizen, so he always has to ensure that his authorization to travel is valid if we are visiting the US.

In a way, it makes perfect sense to institute the equivalent back to Americans. Visas work on reciprocity – so if your government holds foreign nationals to one standard, then you should expect the same treatment from the foreign government. European officials also see this as an anti-terrorism measure.

When it goes into effect in 2024, if you don’t have the ETIAS visa waiver as an American, you might not be able to board your flight. However, the exact date when ETIAS will launch has not been announced. To be honest, while it is still slated to launch in 2024, the fact that no dates have been announced means that it will likely be delayed again. However, even if it all comes online quickly, since it is not intended to deter tourism, there is very likely to be a grace period… but eventually you will apply here . 

“Before boarding, air carriers and sea carriers will need to check whether third country nationals subject to the travel authorisation requirement are in possession of a valid travel authorisation.”

However, for now, there is nothing to worry about or change in your immediate travel plans.

In the next few years, all you will have to do is one more step at least a few days before you fly. Annoying perhaps, but certainly worth it for security. 

Ready to fly? Here is what to wear on the plane , and how to get from Fiumicino airport to Rome .

Natalie is a food and travel writer who has been living in Rome full time since 2010. She is the founder and editor of this blog and prefers all of her days to include coffee, gelato, and wine.

33 thoughts on “ Yes, Americans Need a “Visa” to Travel to Italy in 2025 – How to get it ”

I love your posts! I’m getting ready to move to Italy (Roma) this June from NYC. The visa process is a tough one! I’m using your blog as my bible for go to information 🙂 I’m so excited to start a new chapter in Italy!

Ughhh, I know that process. In bocca al lupo!

The visa process will give you a taste of the bureaucratic challenges that will affect most of your daily life in Italy. A big stumbling block for our residenza elettiva visas was the requirement of having proof of a place to live (with an official lease or deed -not a hotel) in Italy prior to submitting the application for the visa. However, the visa can only be applied for and issued in the US. In other words, you can’t come to Italy as a tourist, find a place to live and apply for the visa in Italy. We were very fortunate to have good friends here in Italy who could provide us with a place to stay, including a lease. However, the lease must be registered and have the appropriate marca di bollo attached. In order to have a proper lease, it will have to recite your Italian codice fiscale. If you plan to be in Italy before applying for a visa, obtain a codice fiscale while you are here. If you will be working, I think your prospective employer can help with this. We hired a relocation assistant who was able , with much difficulty to obtain ourswhile we were still in the US. Once you arrive here, you will need to apply for the infamous permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of arrival. Go to any Poste Italiane office and ask for “il kit per il permesso di soggiorno”. Don’t even think about trying to fill out the forms on your own. Even our Italian friends did not understand how to fill out the forms. Instead, go to an Italian labor sindicato such as CGIL, where we went. Make an appointment for assistance with the permesso and tell them that you must have it by the deadline date There is a CGIL office in virtually every city, and for about 20 Euro, they will fill it out for you in your presence. (The best 20 Euro I have spent here). After the form is filled out at the CGIl office, get to the Poste Italiane office (they close for the day a little after 1PM) and submit the form and be prepared to pay the appropriate fees. Some, but not all, credit cards are accepted. I can’t remember if you also need a marca di bollo, but if you do, remember that you can’t buy it at the post office, but you can at most any tabaccheria. The post office will give you a receipt and a document showing the date of your appointment with the Questura for the interview for the permesso. BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR RECEIPT, which is your temporary provisional permesso until you receive the actual card. I think there is an additional paper document that you get at the time of the questura interview. In Modena, there is about a three month wait for the interview and another month or two to receive a SMS message that you can go to the questura at a certain time to pick up your card. They will ask for the previously-mentioned receipt when you pick up the card. After you receive your temporary permesso, you can apply for a carta d’identita in the commune in which you live. You will need this carta for all kinds of things such as opening a bank account, buying a car, applying for the health system, etc.

Study the expat sites carefully regarding driving a car. Your US license will allow you to drive for one year. After that you must have an Italian “patente” (driver’s license). No American can conceive how frustrating, difficult, time consuming , and expensive this process is. The one year grace period is not too much time to allot to this process, unless you want to make it a more of less full time job, in which case, it will take 3 – 4 MONTHS. . You will run into bureacratic difficulties regarding the health system, your utility contracts, your telephone and many other interfaces in your daily life, because many private companies are themselves bureaucratic. Most Italians do not like it either, but they just shrug and say “this is Italy”. You will also learn to shrug and say, “this is Italy”. Despite all that, this is a wonderful place to live, absolutely beautiful and full of generous friendly people.

Now, that’s full blown bureocracy…thanks for the info.

Hi Natalie. Me and wife are US citizens. We live in Davie, FL. and are receiving SS retirement benefit. How do I find out if those benefits are taxable in Italy? Thank you

Are you moving to Italy for more than 180 days per year? You would do well to speak to a commercialista in that case.

Hi Natalie. I want to apply for my Italian Citizenship in Italy doing Jure sanginis which i qualify through my father. Can you tell me if i have all my documents and which ones need to be translated or need an apostille- #1-My american birth certificate #2- My fathers & mothers birth cert from Italy #3- My parents marriage license from Italy. ok so i have my fathers Naturilazation letter ( the original) can i just copy it beause I cannot give his original away. Do any of these need an apostille or translation into Italian? What am I missing?? Thank you!!

Sorry! I have never gone through that process so I don’t know for sure but I would guess that all non Italian docs need apostille and translations

Your pension or other benefits will not be taxable in Italy IF you apply for an exemption. There is a law signed by both countries whereby they agree to not double tax their citizens and residents if those residents are already taxed in their home countries. There is detailed information about it on the Italian Consulate of Philadelphia web site and I suppose also on the Italian consulate web site of other US cities. The web site is both in Italian and English , but you have to dig through it for that information. Alternatively you can just type the question on the search bar of any search engine and start looking for the info there. So, yes, there is a law that would allow you to be taxed only in the States, which I suggest you, choose because Italian taxes are way higher! Good luck.

Oh,?and you might want to apply for “Elective Residence VISA” since you are retired and are not planning to work there.

What happened to my previous reply to Hugo posts? It said “awaiting review” but it’s gone?! Also, why isn’t possible to edit this posts?

Thank you so much for the heads up. My husband and I are planning at least 2 more trips to Italy (our first was in 2016) in 2020 and 2023 and this was something I deck I felt hadn’t heard of. Love your articles. Keep them coming!

My pleasure! They are still working on the details but it will be an online form to complete ahead of departure. Nothing serious, but an extra step that people should know about.

I am still confused after reading so much!!! I have read that I would need anywhere from $31,000 to $200,000 in my bank account, besides owning a house and having a pension to get a visa. Can you help me understand? If I sell my American house, I can buy a house there and I have a small pension that will allow me to live there because the daily cost of living is less than where I currently live. Thank yo.

One thing about the ETIAS that concerns me is the “Member state of intended first entry” requirement where you have to declare your entry point into the Schengen. So while the ETIAS may be valid for three years this means for each of those years your flight from the USA to Europe would have to end in the same country. For example if you fly into Paris year one and begin your itinerary there you would have to also fly into Paris in year two and three. We go to Europe every year to completely different areas and so instead of flying into whichever city makes sense we’ll now have to fly into the same city each time?

That is only for the first entry. Once it is valid, you can continue to enter on new trips during the validity. This is how the ETSA works for my husband.

Hi Natalie, You are a deep well of valuable info. My spouse and I are planning on relocation to Itlay for our retirement years. I lived in Milano many years ago and things have changed dramatically. Hubby is duel citizen, S. Amer./ US We intend on purchasing, but want a fixer upper. We eventually want our family to relocate as well. Our daughter, a duel citizen, is now married to a French citizen, and in the process of getting EU papers. Are there any ex pats or specialist who can make this transition fail proof? We don’t understand even the simple aspects of looking for, securing, and renovating in italia. Ive looked online, but english translations and new policies have me quite confused. If you know of any services, feel free to email me. I’m really desperate!

Do you need a AAA international license to drive in Italy when visiting? The information about moving there is very daunting.

Hello! If you move to Italy, you can use your national license for one year and then you need to apply for an Italian license. If you are just visiting, you can use your national license, however many rental car companies prefer that you have the international driver’s license which you can get through AAA.

Very timely and helpful comments, thank you for your website😊

If one wants to move to Italy full-time, is it difficult to obtain residence there? And can you work there or do you have to have an outside source of income? Thanks!! Great article!

You have to have a right to live and work in the EU (citizenship or married to a citizen). One visa called Elective Residency might be possible, but you do need outside income for that because you are not permitted to work in Italy on that visa. Most people who apply for it are retired.

how do I get in touch with Natalie on a different topic but still about Italy?

I am an Italian citizen and I should go to Los Angeles, does anyone know how to do it? because with all these visas I don’t understand much. In the summer it must be written where I stay? what does it take to get there? Thanks for the reply

I’m an Italian living in L.A. In order to move here, you need a Visa. A Tourist Visa will not allow you to work and will only grant you a three-month stay. If you want to work, you need a Work Permit. For that you need a sponsor (meaning an employer) that has a profitable business and enough funds (money in the bank) to be able to show the government that the process is legit. He also needs to give proof of his need for your skills which must be “exceptional” or “special”. And lastly, he will have to give the IRS and the Immigration & Naturalization Services the Tax Returns of the last five years, which is a big deal.

If that goes through, you will receive your work permit before moving to the US. The process will cost you at least $5,000 and will take several months to be approved.

If you decide to move here without having a work permit, things will get very complicated since you need a Social Security Number in order to rent a place, to work, to get a Drivers License, to buy a car, to open a bank account as well as for utilities (gas, water & power) and for a cell phone account.

Lastly, L.A. is a huge, enormous mega-city; therefore you want to come here as organized as possible for this place can be somewhat intimidating and the competition is fierce.

I am Professional artist I live in Italy from 74 to 84 and I have diploma from the Academy of fine arts in Florence now I am American citizen I love to go back to live in Italy for good what I should do I speak Italian and my English and German thanks

Sir i have work experience i need any work permit please help me

Hi my husband and I will be traveling to Italy Sept 22 staying in Rome for 3 nights. We are planning on going to Florence and Cinque Terre. Can you please advise me on the proper way to book the fast train from Rome to Florence. Also can you advice me where to go in Rome for some good local food? Thank You Giovanna

What a thorough, easy, simple report about ETIAS. In reality there are fewer questions to answer than to obtain or to renew a U.S. PASSPORT. A great needed report for all your travelers and for all your readers. You are the BEST.

Anxiously awaiting your follow up to this great article. Again the ETIAS requirement has been postponed from January 2024 to January 2025.

I ravel to Milan from the US in late May 2024. I see that the site to register for the visa is still no active. What are we supposed to do in this case?

You have another year! They will push the rule to 2025. Enjoy the trip!

Maybe update the “Yes, Americans Need a “Visa” to Travel to Italy in 2024” statement so people don’t get the wrong info

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The fee must be paid at the time of the application, and is non-refundable REGARDLESS if the VISA will be issued or not.

Please consult the FEES PAGE to learn about the fees applicable to your visa.

Europe to require new entry fee for visitors

After all the pandemic-era regulations and international travel rules, get ready for one new requirement coming for travelers to Europe in 2023. The European Travel Information and Authorization System will introduce a mandatory registration and a 7 euro (about $7.50) fee for visitors to most European countries as of May 2023. While some people have called this a "visitor tax," the stated reason for the program is improved security. According to then-European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker when ETIAS was announced in 2016, "We need to know who is crossing our borders. This way we will know who is traveling to Europe before they even get here."

ETIAS states the system will be able to "Assist in detecting and decreasing crime and terrorism" and "Impede irregular migration." With the system, Americans and visitors from 62 other countries will still be able to travel visa-free in most European nations.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

What is ETIAS?

The European Travel Information and Authorization System is an electronic process to pre-screen, profile, approve and register visitors to the 26 countries of the European Schengen Zone who don't currently need a visa to enter. Similar to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization entry approval system, ETIAS will cross-check visitor information with government databases and watch lists before issuing authorization to enter. The information collected will also be used in data tracking for business and tourism purposes. ETIAS covers European countries that are part of the Schengen Zone travel agreement, in a region mostly overlapping the EU, with the addition of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein but minus Ireland. An individual's ETIAS authorization will be valid for an unlimited number of entries over three years.

Countries in the Schengen Zone to require ETIAS:

• The Czech Republic.
• Liechtenstein.
• Luxembourg.
• The Netherlands.
• Switzerland.

Who needs to apply for ETIAS?

All U.S. citizens and those from the other 62 non-EU countries that are not currently required to apply for a visa will need ETIAS authorization to enter the EU for visits of up to 90 days, including transit passengers. Only visitors who are between the ages of 18 and 70 will need to pay the application fee, but those of all ages will still need ETIAS authorization to enter. If you have applied separately for a visa to enter Europe, you will not need to complete the ETIAS application.

Related : A country-by-country guide to where you can travel without a COVID-19 test

When and where will ETIAS go into effect?

This long-planned and much-delayed system is currently targeted to be fully operational in May 2023. At that point, airlines and other transport systems will be required to check for ETIAS authorization prior to allowing passenger boarding, and visitors will be required to complete the application process prior to travel. At land borders, visitors can complete the application at an electronic kiosk.

How do you apply for ETIAS?

Before traveling, you'll need to access the ETIAS online application to input passport information, name, date and place of birth, an email address, phone number, and a credit or debit card to submit the payment fee. You'll also need to provide your destination, as well as answer a few background and profile questions. The ETIAS website indicates the form should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Approval for most applicants should take only a matter of minutes. However, if an item is flagged in the application, a manual review must take place. The applicant can then either correct the improperly entered information or appeal a denial decision.

Bottom line

No immediate action needs to be taken by U.S. citizens planning to visit Europe. However, be prepared for the May 2023 launch when you must go through one more step and pay one more fee in the traveling process as part of the ETIAS implementation. Stay tuned to The Points Guy for further developments related to this program.

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Italy launched a new digital nomad visa—find out if you qualify and where to apply

If you're a digital nomad or a remote worker looking for your next home away from home, consider Italy. The country's new digital nomad visa went into effect his month, according to Euronews .

Italy's government defines digital nomads as a citizen of non-EU states who carry out "a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools capable of allowing them to work remotely," Euronews states.

The worker should either be self-employed, in collaboration with, or as an employee of a company.

To take advantage of Italy's new digital nomad visa, remote workers must have an annual income of at least three times the minimum level required for exemption from participating in healthcare costs. That amounts to just under €28,000 annually or $30,051 USD.

Italy also requires applicants to have health insurance for the duration of their stay, suitable accommodations, and proof that they have been digital nomads or remote workers in another place for at least six months.

The visa is good for one year and can be renewed. Family members can be added to the application, but final approval is at the government's discretion.

Applicants must visit a valid Italian consulate in their country of residence and submit a declaration signed by their employer as part of the process.

Euronews also reports that applicants convicted of a crime within the last five years will automatically be rejected.

Once the visa is approved, digital nomads or remote workers will have eight days from their arrival in Italy to apply for a resident permit.

This digital nomad visa is just one of the many ways Italy is attracting people to its coasts. Since the late 2010s, towns in the country have been going viral for selling homes for 1 euro , or roughly $1.07, as a way to get foreign investments and bring population numbers back up.

Conversions to USD were done on April 12, 2024, using OANDA conversion rates of 1 euro to 1.07 USD. All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar.

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Welcome to Venice. That’ll Be 5 Euros.

Starting this month, tourists intending to visit the city on busy dates will be required to register on a website, and those coming for a single day will have to pay an entry fee.

By Elisabetta Povoledo

Reporting from Italy

On its busiest days, Venice swells with tourists who clog the city’s narrow streets, leave behind piles of garbage and often frustrate locals. So the canal-crossed city is fighting back.

Starting on April 25, and for another 29 days scattered mostly around national holidays and weekends through mid-July, day trippers to the historic part of Venice will have to pay 5 euros, about $5.40, a measure that city officials hope will encourage people to come during less busy times.

All visitors to Venice will also have to register their presence in the city on the specified days, filling out an online form that will help officials gauge how many visitors to expect and strategize about how to handle them.

“It’s not about making money — the costs of the operation are higher than what we’re going to make,” Mayor Luigi Brugnaro told reporters on Thursday as Venetian officials kicked off a global advertising campaign.

Instead, said Michele Zuin, the city official in charge of budgeting and economics, the aim is “to better manage the numbers of tourists and disincentivize mass tourism, which is what creates, let’s say, the difficulty of living in this city.”

Visitors staying overnight in Venice will not have to pay, nor will those traveling there to work, to visit relatives or to study. Anyone born in the city is also exempt , as are minors under 14. And Mr. Brugnaro said there would be no cap on the number of visitors allowed in.

Rising improbably from the waters of the Venetian lagoon, the city is as delicate as it is beautiful, and in recent decades it has struggled to protect a uniqueness that is threatened by climate change and rising seas, as well as by mass tourism .

To counter that figurative and literal erosion, the city has installed giant gates at four mouths of the lagoon to keep seawater out and pavements dry, and banned cruise ships from the inner canals. Those efforts helped keep Venice off UNESCO’s list of “World Heritage in Danger” even after experts at the agency raised concerns last year that Italy had not done enough to protect the city.

From 1976 until this year, Italy had allocated funds to help safeguard Venice, and on Thursday, Mr. Brugnaro chided the country’s central government for not renewing that funding. He said he had asked the government for €1.5 billion for the next 10 years to help preserve a city with a unique heritage that requires continuous maintenance.

“We need that financing,” he said.

Occasionally, days have been so busy with tourists that the city has had to limit some streets to one-way pedestrian traffic.

Simone Venturini, the city official in charge of tourism, said of the new measures, “We will be the first city in the world to know exactly how many tourists will come to Venice that day — whether exempt or paying, they have to register.”

After registering on the website, visitors will receive a QR code — valid from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — that they will be required to show when entering the city at points like the train station, Piazzale Roma, the municipal parking lot, some beachfront locations and St. Mark’s Square. There will also be spot checks throughout the city.

For now, anyone arriving in Venice without a QR code will be allowed to buy it at the last minute, either on a smartphone or at kiosks set up leading up to the access points, officials said.

Transgressors will face fines of €50 to €300 plus a €10 fee, Mr. Zuin said.

The initiative is being introduced on a trial basis so that city officials can see whether the system works and how it can be improved, he said. In the future, the entry fee could be calibrated — “a sliding scale of prices,” Mayor Brugnaro said — depending on the day.

“We’re asking for collaboration,” Mr. Brugnaro said, adding that the data accumulated during the 29 days would be made public. He said that officials from other cities around the world had contacted his administration to find out more about the access system.

So far, more than 50,000 people have registered through the website — about a third of them paying for one-day visits, officials said.

“The entire world wants to come to Venice,” Mr. Venturini said at the introduction of the advertising campaign, which included a video message of the mayor speaking in various languages using A.I.-generated speech translation.

In the video, Mayor Brugnaro apologizes for any inconvenience that the new system might create. But, he said, “the city has to be protected.”

Elisabetta Povoledo is a reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican and the culture of the region. She has been a journalist for 35 years. More about Elisabetta Povoledo

Italy establishes digital nomad visa for remote workers — how to qualify

Ciao, remote workers!

Italy has launched a digital nomad visa to allow remote workers to live and work in the country long-term.

The visa went into effect on April 4, permitting foreigners to remain in the country for up to a year. It can be renewed annually.

The Italian government defines a digital nomad as a citizen of non-European Union states “who carries out a highly qualified work activity with the use of technological tools capable of allowing them to work remotely, both as a worker self-employed or as a collaborator or employee of a company even if not resident in Italy,” according to EuroNews .

The government is hoping to welcome highly skilled remote workers to enjoy la dolce vita as long as they meet certain requirements.

Applicants must be tax compliant and have an annual income of at least three times the minimum level for exemption from participation in healthcare costs in Italy — about $30,000 annually.

However, they must sign up for a health insurance plan that lasts their entire stay.

Digital nomads will also need to prove they have suitable accommodations and they have been digital nomads or remote workers elsewhere for at least six months.

But even if an applicant can meet these requirements, they shouldn’t bother applying if they have been convicted of a crime within the last five years — even with a non-definitive sentence. You will automatically be denied.

Those who are accepted will be allowed to bring family members along with them as long as the local police approve a residence permit for the family.

If approved, digital nomads should begin brushing up on their Italian — they have eight days from their arrival in Italy to apply for a residence permit.

Remote workers who qualify will need to book an in-person appointment at an Italian consulate in their country of residence to have their application approved.

Countries including Portugal and Spain have launched similar programs.