Italy has streamlined its travel regulations for EU and Schengen zone citizens, which means new Europe entry requirements for Italy are on board.
Visitors will need to produce confirmation of vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test starting on February 1. A negative lateral flow test or a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival is acceptable. There will be no exceptions to this rule– home testing kits are not permitted.
These new guidelines streamline previous ones, which demanded confirmation of immunization or recovery and a negative test result from travellers from the EU and Schengen zone. There was a five-day quarantine period in place for anyone who couldn’t provide both, but it has also been eliminated.
State of emergency in Italy
On February 1, Italy’s daily case total was 133,306, down from a peak of 200,000 new cases per day in mid-January.
For the second time of the year, the State of Emergency in Italy has been extended until March 31, 2022. Both the national and regional governments will be able to enact new laws on short notice if the health situation warrants it.
Testing requirements for EU arrivals have been introduced as part of new restrictions on entry.
Residents of the European Union and a small number of non-EU countries, such as the USA, the UK, Canada, and Japan are the only ones allowed entry. A visitor’s vaccination status and whether or not they’ve recently recovered from COVID affect the entry requirements.
Unvaccinated people have found it increasingly difficult to go about their daily lives since the implementation of new regulations on December 6. In addition to wearing a mask indoors, you must also wear one when venturing outside.
What are the restrictions?
All visitors must complete a self-declaration form, regardless of their vaccination status. Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll need to meet the following additional requirements.
An antigen or PCR test result taken within 24 hours (antigen) or 48 hours (PCR) before departure is required for arrivals from EU countries to enter Italy with a certificate of a completed vaccination cycle within the last nine months.
For EU arrivals who have not been vaccinated or partially vaccinated, they must be quarantined for five days and then tested before being allowed to leave quarantine.
Children under the age of 12 who have not been vaccinated do not need to be quarantined if they are travelling with vaccinated adults.
In order to enter the country, citizens of EU member states must produce.
- Passenger Locator Form: The EU Digital Passenger Locator Form.
- COVID-19 Super Green Pass: EU Digital COVID Certificate based on vaccination or recovery.
The vaccination cycle must have been completed with the vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency or a vaccine considered equivalent in Italian law.
What is Super Green Pass?
A “Super Green Pass” is necessary to enter most indoor locations in Italy for both locals and visitors.
On January 10, a new type of green pass was introduced that shows proof of vaccination or recovery within the last six months.
The Super Green Pass is already required in cinemas, theatres, and stadiums, and cannot be obtained with a negative COVID test result, which means it excludes people who have not been vaccinated.
It is also required to dine in restaurants, both indoors and outdoors, as well as to enter hotels, ski lifts, museums, archaeological sites, gyms, and swimming pools, as well as a variety of other events ranging from weddings and bingo halls to festivals and theme parks.
EU citizens can use their home country’s EU Digital Covid Certificate in place of a Super Green Pass.
British passport holders can travel to Italy with their Super Green Pass-equivalent proof of COVID-19 recovery or vaccination record if it’s in the form of a QR code.
As a British citizen, you should not use your NHS appointment card from a vaccination centre as proof of vaccination or show your vaccine status to others. Instead, you’ll need to get the NHS App and scan a QR code from it to receive a code.
What can you expect in Italy?
This year, your vaccination status is more important than which zone you are in. It is possible to travel freely even in a red zone without any restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated and have a super green pass.
Proof of vaccination is required for most everyday activities, including shopping and public transportation, even if the zoning rules don’t bother you.
Children under the age of 12 are exempt from vaccination requirements.
However, you must wear a mask at all times, even while walking down the street or face a fine of $450.
