Italian experiences
Discover Italy's timeless beauty, rich history, and unforgettable flavors in a journey tailored just for you.
Italy offers an unparalleled blend of art, history, and culinary excellence.
From the iconic cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice to the serene landscapes of Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, each region tells a unique story.
Immerse yourself in the country’s vibrant culture, savor world-renowned cuisine, and explore centuries-old traditions.
Whether you’re seeking adventure in the mountains, relaxation by the sea, or a deep cultural journey, Italy promises an unforgettable experience filled with beauty and discovery.
Key information
Required documents
Citizens of European Union countries and countries that have signed the Schengen treaty
To enter Italy, a valid identity card or passport is sufficient.
Citizens from non-EU countries
They can enter Italy with a passport valid for at least three months after the scheduled departure date from the Schengen area.
Visa & Declaration of presence
A VISA may be required to enter Italy depending on your country of origin. To find out if you need to obtain a VISA, go to the esteri.it website.
After entering your nationality, country of residence, duration of stay (less or more than 90 days), and the reason for your trip, you will receive all the information you require.
Remember that when you cross the border, Italian authorities may ask you to show the documentation justifying the reasons and duration of your stay in Italy.
The VISA must be requested through the Italian consulate in your country of residence and is generally issued 90 days after making the request.
If you stay in a hotel or other hospitality facility, the manager will fill out a declaration of presence on your behalf which will be sent to Police Headquarters. You must always carry a copy of this declaration with you so that you can show it to the police if asked to do so.
If you enter Italy from a country outside the Schengen Area, the harmonized Schengen stamp applied to the passport during border checks takes the place of the declaration of presence.
If you enter Italy from a country in the Schengen Area and do not stay in a hospitality facility, you must provide a declaration of presence within 8 days of your entry into Italy to the Police Headquarters of the Province where you are staying.
Customs
If you arrive from a non-European country (or in any case from outside the Schengen area), you can obtain a direct deduction or a subsequent VAT refund affixed to the goods you purchase in Italy.
This benefit may be granted provided that:
– the value of goods purchased, against each invoice, is more than 154.94 euros
goods are intended for personal or family use and are carried in personal luggage
– the invoice includes a description of the goods, personal data of the traveler, and details of passport or other equivalent document proving that – the traveler is a resident or domiciled outside the EU
– the goods leave EU territory within the third month after the date of issue of the invoice as proven by the “customs visa”
– the invoice thereby validated is returned to the Italian seller within four months after the month of purchase
It must be mentioned that the OTELLO service has been active at exit points from Italy since 1 September 2018. This procedure digitizes the VISA to be affixed to tax-free invoices issued electronically. It should be mentioned in this regard that, at the time of purchase, travelers must ensure that the copy of the invoice received from the seller has the request code certifying that it has been sent to OTELLO.
For more information about this procedure, refer to the section dedicated to OTELLO.
If you prefer, you can contact an “OTELLO intermediary”, i.e. an agency specialized in “Tax-free shopping” which will handle transmitting your data to OTELLO and obtaining the VAT refund. The agency will retain a percentage directly from the VAT sum refunded to you.
TAX FREE (only for non-EU countries)
There are specific limits that vary from country to country as regards bringing particular goods into Italy, such as food, alcohol, and tobacco derivatives, as well as cultural items and pharmaceutical products. Money in cash is also subject to precise limits: you can bring up to € 9.999,99 in coins and banknotes into Italy without making a declaration. Above this sum, you must compile a specific form c/o appropriate offices to avoid incurring penalties and seizures ranging from 30% to 50% of the sum in excess of the indicated limit. There are also precise rules about what travelers may include in their personal effects, transport of goods of animal and plant origin, or bringing pets into Italy.
The indications applied in order to enter Italy must also be upheld when leaving, be it to your home country, another European country, or any other destination.
For more information about every single item outlined above, please consult the Traveler’s Customs Card, which you can view/download here: Traveler Customs Card.
Suggestion
It is always advisable to take out travel insurance to ensure financial coverage in the event of flight delays/cancellations and avoid exposure in the event of health problems: you should also consider this option when planning your visit to our country.
In addition to the printed version of various flight and hotel booking receipts, which you should keep in your luggage, always save an image or pdf also on your mobile phone: it will be easier to show your credentials when requested!
Check if any electrical/electronic devices you wish to bring with you and use in Italy need adapters for our systems.
How can I arrive in Italy?
By Air
Italy has about forty airports distributed throughout the country, providing a dense network of national, international, and intercontinental flights.
The main entry hubs are the intercontinental and international arrival points of Italy: “Leonardo da Vinci” Rome Fiumicino Airport and Milan Malpensa Airport, yet almost all Italian airports operate international connections.
The offering of flights by the main carriers and low-cost airlines is very broad and covers a large number of destinations. Italy is connected by air with most European nations and all continents. Visit the websites of the main airlines to obtain more information about routes, timetables, prices, and availability. More or less all airports are served by an impressive network of taxis, buses, and trains, ensuring comfortable and fast connections to city centers so that you can reach your final destination with relative ease.
By Train
You can take advantage of EuroCity trains to travel to Italy easily. These international convoys connect various European cities and offer a wide choice of timetables and routes.
For example, Geneva, Marseilles, Innsbruck, and Munich all have direct connections with Venice, Bologna, Verona, or Milan.
If you prefer to travel at night, the equivalent service is offered by EuroNight trains, thereby enabling you to sleep for the duration of the journey.
Naturally, in addition to using these lines, you can also arrive in Italy thanks to the complex European railway network connecting our cities to other capitals.
By Car/Motorcycle
The extensive European motorway network and the availability of several passes over the Alpine chain make access to Italy by car or motorbike easy: Italy can be reached from Austria, France, Switzerland, and Slovenia.
The main passes open all year round are:
– the Mont Blanc tunnel (from Chamonix, it connects France to the A5 motorway for Turin and Milan);
– the Gran San Bernardo tunnel (connects Switzerland to the A5 motorway for Turin and Milan);
– the Brenner Pass (traveling from Austria, it joins the A22 motorway towards Bologna).
Alpine tunnels are often closed during the winter and sometimes even in autumn and spring because of snow.
Visit the “Getting Around” section to discover useful information and the main driving rules to drive in Italy.
For real-time information: www.autostrade.it www.stradeanas.it
By Coach
Italy can also be reached from all over Europe by bus along routes that have always connected our country to the rest of the continent. There are many scheduled agencies running such trips by road, including recent low-cost companies offering the service at very competitive prices.
By Sea
Thanks to more than 8000 km of coastline, Italy offers many opportunities to arrive by sea at the country’s numerous ports. Before leaving, find information about crossing times and international routes that include stops in Italian ports. Many national and international shipping companies connect the main European ports with Italy. Ticket prices are higher in the summer and vary – if you are traveling with a vehicle – depending on its size.
The Grandi Navi Veloci fleet connects Barcelona to Genoa. Connections from Greece to Italy are assured over the most popular routes: from Igoumenitsa, Corfu and Patras, Blue Star Ferries arrive directly in Venice and Brindisi while Superfast Ferries travel to Ancona and Bari. Fragline Ferries covers the Corfu-Brindisi route; Grimaldi Ferries, one of the best-known Italian companies, connects Tunis and Barcelona with Civitavecchia, Salerno, Livorno, and Palermo. Tirrenia Navigazione ferries run numerous connections throughout the year between Tunis and the main Italian islands, Sicily and Sardinia. Marmara Lines connects the Turkish city of Cesme with Ancona and Brindisi. Jadrolinija connects Dubrovnik, on the Croatian coast, with Bari, while Virtu Ferries is the best company to reach Malta from Catania.
Time in Italy and meals timing
CET (Central European Time) is applied throughout Italy.
From early autumn to late winter, standard time is applied, corresponding to CUT +1, one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
At the beginning of spring, “Summertime” is applied: clocks are moved forward by one hour (CUT +2 time zone) to enjoy more sunshine in the late afternoon-evening.
Changing from winter time to summer time and vice versa always takes place overnight between Saturday and Sunday; dates vary from year to year.
People in Italy normally have breakfast starting at 07.00 but you will also find bars and pastry shops open as early as 06.00 in the morning.
Hotels usually have a set time (approximately 10.00) when breakfast must be finished. Room service will be able to meet your needs even outside this timetable.
Lunch in restaurants, farm holiday centers, diners, or bars is from 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM. For particular anniversaries or events, the lunch start time and duration may vary without limits.
Aperitifs – the not to be missed appointment! Aperitifs are generally enjoyed from 6.00 PM until dinner time.
Dinner is normally served from 7.30 PM until 11.00 PM.
You will also find places that serve late dinners for after-theatre and people who prefer dining in the middle of the night.
Language
The official language spoken throughout Italy is Italian. Alternatively, English is the recommended language for most conversations you will have on holiday, from arrival at the airport or accommodation facilities, shopping or museum visits, ordering meals at restaurants, or receiving information.
Italy is home to several minority languages: border languages and languages spoken by historical communities, twelve of which are officially recognized: Albanian, Catalan, Croatian, French, Provence French, Friulan, German, Greek, Ladino, Occitan, Sardinian and Slovenian.
DIALECTS:
Italians are welcoming people, helpful, and curious to get to know visitors wherever they come from. This means you will have plenty of opportunities for contact with the people in the places you visit: this will help you discover the power of dialects and genuine languages that vary from region to region and city to city. They are the outcome of the history of our country, where a huge variety of peoples and cultures came, stayed, and mingled.
Religion
The most common religion in Italy is Christianity with various confessions that include almost all believers. Most Italian Christians are Catholic but there are minorities of Orthodox, Protestant, and other Christian denominations, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons. The Jewish religion is the oldest of those present in Italy, with a wider community still living in the country, especially in Rome. Islam also has a large number of faithful: it is the second-largest religion by the number of believers. There are also followers of Asian cults; the most common among Italians is Buddhism.
Currency
Airports and large stations usually have banks and exchange agencies for withdrawals or related services. Banks (with 24-hour ATMs) are located all over the country; you can exchange/buy traveler’s checks (in dollars or euros) through banks.
The currency used in Italy is the Euro.
Coin denominations: 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 Euro, and 2 euros.
Banknote denominations: 5 Euros, 10 Euros, 20 Euros, 50 Euros, 100 Euros, 200 Euros, and 500 Euros.
Climate
We are in the heart of the Mediterranean, floating on the sea yet anchored to the mountains. The generally mild climate means you can visit Italy at any time of year. However, the peninsula extends vertically from north to south and consequently has a great variety of climates. If you’re wondering what to pack, take a glance at the table below!
Average temperatures in Italy by season and geographical area (°C)
Spring: NORTH Min: 3.7 – NORTH Max 21.5 – CENTRE Min 7.3 – CENTRE Max 25.6 – SOUTH Min 9 – SOUTH Max 26.4
Summer: NORTH Min: 10.1 – NORTH Max 24.4 – CENTRE Min 15 – CENTRE Max 29.1 – SOUTH Min 17.2 – SOUTH Max 29.6
Autumn: NORTH Min: -1.6 – NORTH Max 14.9 – CENTRE Min 4.8 – CENTRE Max 20.3- SOUTH Min 7.3 – SOUTH Max 21.7
Winter: NORTH Min:-2.7 – NORTH Max 9.9 – CENTRE Min 3.5 – CENTRE Max 14.2- SOUTH Min 5.8 – SOUTH Max 14.9
Note: the temperatures indicated in the table are indicative and may vary from city to city or depending on whether you are near the sea, in the mountains, or in the hinterland.
Electricity
Electricity is available everywhere in Italy at 220 volts alternating current at a frequency of 50 hertz. Electrical sockets comply with European legislation. Most hotels have adapters for special plugs.
Pharmacies & Health
Pharmacies follow shop opening hours. In larger cities, you will find some open 24 hours a day. During holidays (such as Sundays) or for night emergencies, pharmacies take turns to stay open: a calendar (displayed outside each pharmacy even when closed) will indicate where the nearest open pharmacy can be found.
Assistance to citizens of non-EU countries in Italy
If you are a foreign citizen legally present in Italy, you can access the National Health Service (SSN) in different ways depending on the reason for your stay.
1. If you are temporarily present, for a period not exceeding 90 days (e.g. tourist), you can take advantage of urgent and elective health services upon payment of the relevant regional rates. There is no registration with the NHS except for students and au pairs.
2. If you have a regular residence permit, you can register with the SSN by contacting the ASL of your municipality of registered residence, or, if you are not yet resident, the municipality of actual domicile indicated in the residence permit.
Registration with the NHS allows you to choose the general practitioner registered in the ASL registers with the consequent attribution of 4 credits recognizable for the purposes of the integration agreement.
Health care is extended to your dependent family members who regularly stay in Italy.
If you want to come to Italy to receive medical treatment, you can activate three different entry procedures for treatment.
1. Who is obliged to register with the S.S.N.:
– Foreign citizens holding a residence permit who are regularly employed, self-employed, or who are registered on the employment lists;
– foreign nationals legally residing or those who have applied for the renewal of their residence permit, in order to employment, self-employment, family reasons, asylum, for asylum, for awaiting adoption, for for the acquisition of citizenship or for reasons of Religious;
– dependent family members (legally resident) of the foreign nationals falling into the above categories.
There is no obligation to register with the National Health Service. falling within the above categories, even if they need to insure themselves against the risk of illness, accident and maternity through stipulation of an insurance policy valid on the Italian territory, also for dependent family members.
2. Where to sign up:
To enrol in the S.S.N. you must go to the local A.S.L. in which you reside or in the one in which you have residence (indicated in the residence permit), equipped with:
– personal identity document;
– tax code;
– residence permit;
– self-certification of residence or abode (it is considered habitual residence hospitality for more than three months at a reception).
At the time of registration, you will be able to choose your family doctor or the pediatrician for your children.
3. How long is the membership valid?
– Registration is valid for the duration of the permit residence and does not lapse during the renewal of the same: it may be renewed, therefore, also by presenting to the A.S.L. the Documentation proving the request for renewal of a permit Living room;
– In the event of non-renewal or revocation of the or in the event of expulsion, the registration shall cease, unless the person concerned proves that he or she has lodged an appeal against the aforementioned Measures.
4. What you are entitled to:
At the time of registration you will receive a document, the “Badge personal health”, which entitles you to receive free of charge, i.e. for a fee – it depends on the region you are in – of a contribution (Health Ticket), the following Services: General medical examinations in the outpatient clinic and examinations specialist medical examinations, home medical examinations, hospitalisation, vaccinations, blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, medicines, rehabilitation and prosthetic assistance.
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