Italy – Navigating COVID 19 measures and travel restrictions

Aug 13, 2020

[latest update 13/08/2020 Please note that information on this page is being frequently updated according to government guidelines. Things may have changed since this page was created/updated]

Current anti-COVID-19 measures in place include the obligation to wear face masks on public transport and in shops, restaurants, public offices, hospitals, and workplaces where it is not possible for people to keep at least one-meter distance.

There are also several restrictions on travel to Italy.
Below is a summary of the rules currently in place on travel to Italy.

First, it is to be noted that anyone travelling to Italy from any foreign location is required to provide the carrier, or law enforcement officers if they are stopped for checks, a self-declaration that can be downloaded here.

Travel allowed without having to justify a specific reason and being subject to quarantine

Travel from:

European Union (EU): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia*, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece*, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta*, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain*, Sweden, and Hungary;
(except Romania and Bulgaria: individuals entering Italy from Bulgaria or Romania, or who have stayed/transited there in the last 14 days, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days)
non-EU Schengen States: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland;
The UK and Northern Ireland;
Andorra, Monaco;
San Marino and Vatican City.

Also, travel is allowed for:

citizens of EU Member States, Schengen Member States, United Kingdom, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican;
foreign nationals residing in EU, Schengen, United Kingdom, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican;
family members of citizens of the above-mentioned States or of foreign nationals residing in the above-mentioned States

However, mandatory self-isolation is required if, during the 14-day period prior to entering Italy, travellers have stayed/transited in a Country other than those listed above.

*Whoever in the 14 days preceeding entry have stayed or travelled into Croatia Greece, Malta or Spain, upon boarding is required to:

provide proof of negative COVID-19 test, carried out 72 hours before arrival or – as an alternative – must undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival and within 48 hours. While waiting for the test result, they must self-isolate.
report they arrival to local health authorities

Travel allowed without having to justify a specific reason but with quarantine obligation (14-day quarantine period in self-isolation)

Travel from

Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay. From July 24, also travel from Romania and Bulgaria requires quarantine upon arrival in Italy.

Travel allowed only for specific reasons and quarantine obligation (14-day quarantine period in self-isolation)

Travel from all other countries not listed above is allowed only for:

proven work requirements
absolute urgency
health reasons
return home or to one’s place of residence
proven study requirements.

Travel not allowed

whoever– in the previous 14 days – has travelled to or transited/stayed in the following countries is not allowed to enter Italy: Armenia, Bahrein, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bosnia Herzegovina, Chile, Colombia, Kuwait, North Macedonia, Moldova, Oman, Panama, Peru, Dominican Republic, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

There are exceptions to the ban for citizens of Italy, EU, Schengen countries, UK, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City and their family members on condition that they are registered as residents in Italy before July 9, 2020 (July 16 for Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia; August 13 for Colombia). Other exceptions are for officials and other servants of the European Union, international organisations, diplomatic missions and consulates, military personnel in the performance of their duties and – only for Bosnia Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo transport crew members and travel staff members only for transit (max 36 hours) or short stay (up to 120 hours).

Travel is also not allowed in case of positive diagnosis for COVID-19 in the 14 days before travelling; showing symptoms of COVID-19 in the 8 days before travelling, close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 in the 14 days before travelling; visiting, in the 14 days before arriving in Italy, States or territories from which travel is not allowed.

Main Exceptions to mandatory quarantine

Mandatory self-isolation does not apply to the following travellers

transport crew members;
travel staff members;
health personnel travelling to Italy for professional purposes;
cross-border workers entering the country to work and then returning home;
employees of companies with their main or secondary headquarters in Italy, returning to the country after travelling abroad, for work, for no more than 120 hours (5 days);
travel to and from the Republic of San Marino and the Vatican City State;
officials and other servants of the European Union, international organisations, diplomatic missions and consulates, military personnel in the performance of their duties;
students attending study programmes abroad and returning home at least once a week;
persons travelling to Italy for a short stay (up to 120 hours in total) for proven work, urgent or health reasons;
passengers in transit;
persons travelling through the country for no more than 36 hours to reach their country of residence

Travelling within Italy

Though travel within Italy remains unrestricted, some regions may apply anti-COVID 19 measures (notification of arrival, registration, temperature check). For further information, it is advisable to contact the regional emergency COVID-19 toll-free number for the specific Region of interest

[latest update 13/08/2020] Please note that information on this page is being frequently updated according to government guidelines. Things may have changed since this page was created/updated

Source:

Giuditta Petreni

Giuditta Petreni has over 10 years of experience in assisting companies and business investors with relocation of managers and staff to Italy. Giuditta has extensive experience advising corporate and private clients on a full range of Italian immigration categories. She is fluent in Italian and English.

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