1. Overview
ETIAS will apply to eligible short trips to Italy for tourism, business and other permitted purposes. The same authorisation can support eligible travel across other participating ETIAS countries during its validity.
- Travel on an eligible visa-exempt passport
- Plan a short stay within the 90-days-in-180-days rule
- Travel for tourism, business or another permitted short-term purpose
- Are not travelling under an exemption such as EU free-movement rights
2. Who needs ETIAS for Italy?
Travellers from eligible visa-exempt countries will need ETIAS for short trips to Italy once the system is operational. Document-specific conditions can apply to some passports.
3. Arriving in Italy
The ETIAS requirement is linked to your eligibility and travel document. The border procedure can differ depending on how and from where you arrive.
Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa, Venice and other international airports are common external gateways. ETIAS is linked to the passport presented for travel.
Road and rail travel between Italy and neighbouring Schengen states normally uses internal borders, while journeys from non-Schengen routes are subject to the relevant external-border formalities.
Ferry and cruise arrivals, including routes across the Mediterranean, follow the same ETIAS eligibility framework for visa-exempt travellers.
4. Border and territory notes
Sicily and Sardinia are part of Italy and follow the same short-stay framework. Vatican City and San Marino are separate states with open-border arrangements accessed through Italy; travellers should still satisfy the entry conditions for the Schengen journey that gets them there.
Practical information
Italy uses the euro. ETIAS is not a visa and does not change the Schengen-wide 90/180-day calculation.
Frequently asked questions
When will ETIAS become operational?
Expected Q4 2026. The EU says the specific start date will be announced before launch.
Do I need a separate ETIAS for Sicily or Sardinia?
No separate authorisation is expected for eligible travel to these Italian regions; the ETIAS is linked to the traveller and passport, not to an individual Italian region.
What about Vatican City and San Marino?
They are separate states accessed through Italy. Travellers should meet the entry requirements for the Schengen journey through Italy and check any specific local requirements if applicable.