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6 ways to enter

Italy visas

Italy tourist visa

For a holiday in Italy, you may need a short-stay Schengen visa. Some travellers can visit without one. The usual limit is 90 days across the Schengen Area in any 180-day period.

Ways to get a Italy tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories can visit Italy for a short holiday without a visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days across the Schengen Area in any 180-day period.

  2. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short holiday in Italy can apply.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
    Valid for
    Usually the planned trip for new applicants; up to five years for multiple-entry visas.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    €90 standard; €45 for children aged 6–12; free for children under 6. Some other fee exemptions apply. The fee can rise to €180 for certain nationalities, except children under 12. External service fees can be up to €120.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an accepted application with no issues; delays can occur.
    1. Apply to Italy's embassy or consulate if Italy is your main destination.
    2. Submit your application no more than six months before entry, through an external application service if the embassy uses one.
    3. Attend in person and have an interview for your first application.
    4. Give fingerprints and a digital photo if required.

  4. Visit using an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to Italy without an additional visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

  5. Bilateral visa-free stay

    No visa needed

    Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver agreements covering Italy.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Italy without reference to time spent in other Schengen countries.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  6. Visa exemption for refugees and stateless people

    No visa needed

    Italy grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people living in Ireland or a listed visa-waiver country or territory.

Who needs it

Travellers who are not covered by a visa exemption or another accepted permission need a visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can make short visits without a visa. EU single market citizens and some residence permit holders, family members, refugees and stateless people also have exemptions.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Italy's embassy or consulate if Italy is your only or main destination. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the country where you will first enter Schengen.
  2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. Some embassies use an external application service.
  3. Attend in person for your first Schengen visa application and a consular interview.
  4. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required. Fingerprints are not collected from children under 12. You may not need to give them again if you provided them within the past 59 months.

What to bring

  • An accepted travel document.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required.

Good to know

  • Count visits to all Schengen countries together when checking the usual 90-day limit.
  • Visa-free visitors must have enough money for their stay and onward or return journey, and explain the purpose and conditions of their visit.
  • Visa-free entry can be refused for an entry alert or a threat to public policy, security, health or international relations.
  • Italy does not allow visa-waiver visitors to work during their visa-free stay.
  • A Schengen visa issued by another Schengen country can cover Italy unless it has a territorial restriction.
  • A visa or residence permit issued by Cyprus does not give permission to enter Italy.
  • A planned shared online application platform does not establish that an Italian online visa programme is already available.
  • For visitors from outside the EU single market, Italy sets required funds by trip length: up to 5 days, €269.60 total; 6–10 days, €44.93 per day; 11–20 days, €51.64 plus €36.67 per day; over 20 days, €206.58 plus €27.89 per day. For groups of two or more, the respective amounts per person are €212.81; €26.33 per day; €25.82 plus €22.21 per day; and €118.79 plus €17.04 per day.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Italy?

Travellers who are not covered by a visa exemption or another accepted permission need a visa. Citizens of the listed visa-waiver countries can make short visits without a visa. EU single market citizens and some residence permit holders, family members, refugees and stateless people also have exemptions.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Italy?

There are 6 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); Freedom of movement (no visa at all); Visit using an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Bilateral visa-free stay (no visa at all); Visa exemption for refugees and stateless people (no visa at all).

Who can go to Italy without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-waiver countries and territories can visit Italy for a short holiday without a visa. Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Italy without a visa. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen country, Gibraltar or Monaco can make short visits to Italy without an additional visa. Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa-waiver agreements covering Italy. Italy grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people living in Ireland or a listed visa-waiver country or territory.

How long can I stay on a Italy tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days across the Schengen Area in any 180-day period.

How much does a Italy tourist visa cost?

Standard visa fee: €90. Children aged 6–12: €45. Children under 6: no visa fee. Other exemptions and higher fees can apply. An external application service may charge up to €120 extra.

How long does a Italy tourist visa take?

A decision is due within 15 calendar days for an accepted application with no issues. Appointment shortages and longer processing times can occur.

How long is a Italy tourist visa valid?

New applicants usually receive a visa valid for their planned trip. Multiple-entry visas can be valid for up to five years. Entries: One, two or multiple entries, as issued..

What documents do I need for a Italy tourist visa?

An accepted travel document.; Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required..

How do I apply for a Italy tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Italy's embassy or consulate if Italy is your only or main destination. If no main destination can be identified, apply to the country where you will first enter Schengen. 2. 2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. Some embassies use an external application service. 3. 3. Attend in person for your first Schengen visa application and a consular interview. 4. 4. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required. Fingerprints are not collected from children under 12. You may not need to give them again if you provided them within the past 59 months.

What rules do I have to follow on a Italy tourist visa?

Count visits to all Schengen countries together when checking the usual 90-day limit. Visa-free visitors must have enough money for their stay and onward or return journey, and explain the purpose and conditions of their visit. Visa-free entry can be refused for an entry alert or a threat to public policy, security, health or international relations. Italy does not allow visa-waiver visitors to work during their visa-free stay.

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