NOTE: This guide was last updated in January 2025. Please check the authenticity and validity of the information on this website before proceeding with your visa application. Use Timatic for the most up-to-date information.

With its turquoise coves, sunny beaches, and cities shining with a rich history, Italy is among the most popular travel destinations in the world. If you're seeking an unforgettable experience, this magnificent country must be on your itinerary. Check out this guide we prepared for all about Italy visa!

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Italy?

Italy is a member state of the European Union and the Schengen zone, in which states have jointly agreed their visa requirements towards third country nationals. Nevertheless, each state may apply specific regulations concerning the travel documents required from foreigners. You can find out whether you need an entry visa to travel to Italy through official channels.

Did you book a flight to Italy?

Secure your Italy flight ticket with Pegasus Airlines now at the most affordable rates! Thanks to our wealth of travel destinations, you can fly to Milan, Bologna, Rome, and Venice without breaking the bank.

Also, you can check out our Italy travel guide for an insightful overview of attractions and cultural nuances in the country.

You may also be interested in these articles:

Bologna Travel Guide

Milan Travel Guide

Rome Travel Guide

Venice Travel Guide

Italy Visa Types

Italy has different visa types including single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry and airport transit visas that enable holders to visit Italy for stays up to 90 days in periods of 180 days. Single-entry visa grants one-time entrance whereas double-entry visa holders may travel twice over pre-defined periods and the multiple-entry visa allows for consecutive visits not exceeding the time constraints.  Short-term and long-term visas are issued depending on the nature of the visit.

What is Schengen Visa?

A Uniform Schengen Visa allows its holder to move freely within the Schengen area for a short period.  The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, namely the Schengen States, among which border controls are abolished. Therefore, passengers who wish to travel within the Schengen area either for business-related or touristic visits are obliged to obtain Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days within a period of 180 days.

Italy Schengen Visa (Category C visa- For Short Stay Visits)

A Category C, Schengen, visa enables its holder to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days. This visa is issued for visitors travelling to Italy for tourism, family visit, or business trip purposes. Besides, receiving medical treatment or participating in cultural events in Italy are also possible with a Schengen visa.

Italy Category D visa- For Long Stay Visits

Category D, or national, visa is a more versatile and comprehensive visa type. As the name suggests, this visa is issued by Italy itself and allows the visa holder to stay and reside in the country. The most common type of national visas are Italy student visa and Italy employment visa, which are granted to third country citizens seeking to receive education or work in the country. Italy freelancer visa and language course visa are also commonly applied visa types with work or education aim.

A family reunion visa is another type of national visa offered to the family members of Italian citizens or residents. Similarly, there are Italy relative visa and Italy partnership visa issued to relatives or spouses of Italian residents.

In addition to these visa types, previous students who have completed their degrees in Italy and would like to return to Italy to seek employment can apply for an Italy job seeker visa. Also, students who want to conduct an internship in an Italian public or private institute can apply for an Italy student internship visa.

General Requirements to Apply for Italy Visa

You can find below the tourist visa requirements and application procedures for visiting Italy. In general, applicants must submit their applications comprising of the requested documents to the Diplomatic Mission or authorised visa application centres in due time. Please bear in mind that the necessary documents may differ depending on the term and purpose of your stay, hence the category of your visa. Therefore, make sure to get in touch with the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

Italy Visa Applications

• Entry visa application form,
• Recent passport-size photograph,
• Valid travel documents whose expiry date is three months longer than that of the visa requested,
• Return ticket (or booking) or evidence that the applicant has their own means of transport,
• Proof that the applicant has sufficient means of subsistence as required by the Directive of the Ministry of the Interior dated 1st March 2000,
• Supporting documentation in relation to the applicant's social and professional status,
• Health insurance covering a minimum of €30,000 for emergency hospitalisation and repatriation expenses, valid throughout the Schengen area,
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking, Declaration of hospitality, declaration whereby accommodation costs shall be borne by the person inviting).

What is Visa Sponsorship for Italy?

Students or unemployed/retired people who are not able to cover their own travel expenses will need to provide the proof of a sponsorship. The sponsor is entitled to certain requirements and is asked to submit the necessary information to support the applicant’s request. Sponsorship can be granted by a close family member of the applicant or a host institution who will be responsible throughout the traveller’s stay.

Italy Visa Rules

• San Marino and Vatican City are independent microstates within the borders of Italy. Even though they didn’t take part in the Schengen agreement they are treated within the Schengen area. Therefore, holders of Italian visa can travel to those places freely.
• As a rule, applicants shall personally submit their visa applications in due time, with all the necessary documents, at the Italian Diplomatic Mission authorised in their place of residence.

Italy Visa Requirements

In addition to above-mentioned application documents, there are general requirements for the citizens of certain countries. You can find more information below.

Italy Visa requirements for non-Europeans

The general requirements for non-Europeans wishing to enter the EU depend on the visitor’s nationality and passport. Those coming from a country without a visa waiver agreement with the EU must conform to the above-mentioned procedures.

In case of an invitation to support the documentation process, contact details of the host organisation or private host such as name, address, relation to the guest, purpose and length of visit shall be included in the application. However, a formal invitation does not secure positive results of the application.

Italy visa for European countries

Citizens of EU member states are entitled to visa-free travel opportunities within the borders of the European Union. Therefore, they can travel to Italy with an ID or valid travel document without any visa requirements.

Italy Visa requirement for US, UK, and Canadian citizens

The citizens of the USA, the UK, and Canada do not need a visa to visit and stay in the EU for up to 90 days. Therefore, they do not need a visa for a short-stay trip to Italy.

Italy Visa Fees

You can find below the fixed fees for different types of visas determined by authorities as of 2025. The visa fees include consultation, submission, and processing of your application. The applications can be made directly to the Consulate or from the authorised visa application centres. The visa fee is non-refundable which means reimbursements are not available if the outcome of your visa application will not be positive.

You can find the detailed informations and latest update about visa fee by visiting the official page of Consulate General of Italy.