Italy is set to relax its travel rules for citizens planning to enter from the EU. Home to some of the most instantly recognizable landmarks in world travel, such as the colosseum and the leaning tower of Pisa, Italy has long since been amongst the most popular travel destinations in the world. However, like many destinations around the world, the pandemic and its ever-changing number of restrictions have caused tourism levels to fall dramatically compared to 2019.
By reducing the travel rules and entry requirements for citizens of the EU, the travel, tourism and hospitality industries in the country could be reignited at long last – and could pave the way for a wider easing of restrictions at some point in the future. Here’s a look at what’s about to change with Italy’s restrictions, plus a recap of what the country’s current restrictions are for non-EU travelers.
Italy Relaxes Restrictions – What Travelers Should Know
On December 14th, in the wake of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant around the continent, Italy made it mandatory for travelers visiting the country from EU destinations to take a Covid-19 test prior to departure, in a bid to prevent cases coming into the country. However, that is all set to change. The prevalence of the Omicron variant across the EU and in Italy made the need for additional testing redundant, and so Italy’s Health Minister made changes to the entry requirements to reflect the nature of the situation.
On Wednesday, the Italian Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, revealed that the country would be easing its entry requirements for all EU citizens from the 1st of February. Speranza signed an order which means travelers to Italy from EU countries will now only need to show a Green Pass to enter the country, with the need for a negative Covid-19 test result removed from the list of requirements for travelers.
The Green Pass is a type of vaccine passport commonly used around Italy. It proves that a traveler has either been vaccinated against Covid-19, had a negative test result or has recovered from the virus. There is also another pass used across Italy, the Super Green Pass, which travelers need to access hotel, restaurants and bars. The EUDCC – the EU’s vaccination and testing platform – is accepted in the country, whilst white cards from the CDC are also accepted.
Travelers should note that the changes to the restrictions are set to go live on February 1st, with travelers arriving before that date still having to take a Covid-19 test. Inbound travelers must also fill in a Digital Passenger Locator Form before entering Italy, which will replace the old self-declaration that was made to the travel operator. This can be submitted either digitally or as a physical copy.
In order to Italy, travelers from the US must:
- present a negative molecular PCR test result carried out within 72 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test result carried out within 24 hours for all travelers above the age of 6
- An Anti-COVID 19 vaccination certificate for an European Medicines Agency (EMA)-recognized vaccine. At present, EMA recognizes the following vaccines: Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, and AstraZeneca, or;
- A medical certificate confirming recovery from COVID dated no more than six months before departure.
Travelers are allowed to visit for tourism purposes. Italy has had a rough month when it comes to Covid-19, currently averaging a daily total of 160,000 cases, but the figure is on a downward trend. Mask wearing is essential in public, and the use of a Super Green Pass is needed to enter many different types of establishment.
