Who Can Travel To Italy Right Now: Here Are The Rules

Just because strict new regional Italian lockdowns are in place, doesn’t mean travel to Italy is out.

Sure there is a total ban on tourism in those so-called “red and orange zones” – but not in the lower-risk “yellow” ones. Still travelers must expect to find an Italy with limits, given the nationwide curfew is in place from November 6 until December 3, at least.

That said, most of the country falls within yellow zones where travel is still entirely possible. This means you can still travel to Rome, Florence and the Amalfi for a start. In these “moderate risk” yellow zones, restaurants and bars remain open. Though a national curfew applies to them as well (they must close at 6pm).

The new emergency decree – under which the new lockdowns are unfurling – weaves in previously established rules for travel to and from Italy says the Italian health ministry. Those rules revolve around lists of countries, based on traveler risk.

Not forgetting – outside the Italian government rules – that some countries are currently locking down their citizens from travel. These include France and the UK. While the US travel advisory for Italy is a “Level 3” (Reconsider Travel), followed by the rather incredulous: “Improved conditions have been reported within Italy.” Clearly this is not totally up-to-date with news events.

A, B List Countries Can Travel To Italy Freely: C List Must Show Tests & Forms

Italy’s foreign affairs department classifies travelers by an A-to-F level risk system. These rules are in place until at least November 24.

Under the rules, the 14-day prior rule has become the rule of thumb. In other words, it depends on where you are coming from, more than which passport you hold. Though that of course comes into the picture, particularly with direct arrivals from high-risk countries.

So who’s on those lists?

• List A & List B countries can travel freely, and include much of the EU and Schengen zone plus territories like Vatican City.
• C List Countries Tests and “Self-Declarations” required: Arrivals from Europe’s Covid red zones are now on a growing List C.
• On its latest update, this includes Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Travelers from these countries need to show a negative Covid test result (molecular or antigen swab) taken within 72 hours. Plus they must fill out and sign the necessary form.
• List D Countries: Italy is allowing restriction-free travel to travelers from Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Rwanda, The Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia and Uruguay. These include 8 countries on the EU’s (ever-shrinking) safe list. Yet Italy still appears to be giving Canadians a green light, together with travelers from Georgia and Tunisia. Surprising, given the trio has been removed from the safe list, due to Covid infection rates. (Member countries don’t have to enforce the recommendations).

14-DAY SIDESTEP FOR LIST E: US AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES

• List E countries: You can not enter Italy direct from these countries as a tourist. But any traveler, from say the US, can enter after 14 days in an A, B, C or D list country. If you’re landing from a C list country, the same test rules clearly apply. That said, there are many exemptions for List E, including short work trips, couples and students. As the government says: “anyone (regardless of nationality) entering Italy for a period not exceeding 120 hours for proven needs of work, health or absolute urgency” can do so. And that’s with no need to show a test, or to quarantine. Provided you leave within that time frame – and have not been in a List F country (read on).

LIST F: BANNED FROM ENTRY

• List F countries: Most travelers from F list countries can’t enter Italy. That’s whether you are a citizen of one of the following or have spent part of the past 14 days there. These include Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Oman, Panama, Peru & the Dominican Republic. Check the rules closely, for there are exemptions for EU citizens and residents among others.

Note, those restrictions may increase, along with spiraling Covid cases in Europe. Wave 2 is seeing red zones across the continent expand. So at least be prepared for that possibility, of further or sudden border measures. Anyone heading off on any trip right now, would be crazy not to expect (extra) travel unpredictability.

TEST YOUR TRAVEL RIGHTS TO ITALY ONLINE

Italy has a travel tool to test your eligibility to enter the country for tourism or any other purposes.

The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs “Viaggi Sicuri” (Safe Trips) survey shows that Americans and others can visit Italy, after a fortnight in a long list of countries.

THEN PRINT UP DOCUMENTS YOU WILL REQUIRE FOR ITALY TRAVEL

For international travel, print up this form when arriving from one of Europe’s red zones. Those on the C list for example.

For travel within Italy, such as transit or travel to/from red and orange zones, you need a “self-certification” form. It’s available in PDF form here, via the Corriere della Sera website.

However in red zones, the form is also necessary by day. That’s “for entering and leaving the region for ‘proven work needs’, ‘health reasons’ and ‘other reasons allowed by current regulations’.”

Buon – and safe – viaggio!