Italy was hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first cluster of cases in Europe was officially detected in Northern Italy in February 2020 and the Lombardy region alone went on to account for almost a quarter of the country’s deaths from the virus.
As if this considerable loss of life was not enough, Italy’s economy also took a beating when the country went into lockdown in early March 2020 and its borders were almost completely closed to prevent the spread of the virus. Prior to the pandemic, tourism accounted for approximately 13% of Italy’s economy—the lack of foreign visitors and restrictions on movement were felt everywhere, from the historical art cities of Florence and Venice to the beaches of the South.
Quicker to allow foreign visitors to return than some other European countries, Italy began to welcome tourists back in June 2020 in an attempt to rescue most of that year’s summer season for its tourist industry.
Is it safe to travel to Italy now?
At the height of the pandemic, Italy had some of the toughest restrictions anywhere. Now that things have moved on significantly, most COVID-19 restrictions in Italy have thankfully been lifted. Travelers are not required to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination, a negative test result of any kind, or a COVID-19 recovery certificate to enter the country, regardless of their vaccination status.
However, travelers arriving in Italy, including minors, may be subject to random COVID-19 testing in airports and ports.
As of June 1, 2022, travelers to Italy are no longer required to show the so-called “Green Pass” either to enter the country or to visit public places.
Is a COVID-19 vaccination required to enter Italy?
Entry requirements are the same for all travelers to Italy, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. You do not need to prove your vaccination status for entry to Italy, nor do you need to declare whether you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past year. Quarantine requirements for the unvaccinated have now been relaxed.
COVID-19 is still present in Italy, however, and the CDC advises Americans not to travel to Italy if they are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
Passengers entering Italy by ferry, train, or long-distance bus must wear a FFP2/KN95 mask in order to enter the country. Masks are no longer required on flights in, to, or from Italy, although individual airlines can still enforce their own mask requirements, so it is advisable to check with them before you travel. Passengers are no longer required to fill out a passenger locator form prior to their arrival. There are no restrictions on traveling around the country—all you have to do is narrow down your list of dream destinations!
Are COVID-19 restrictions still in force in public places in Italy?
The wearing of more protective FFP2/KN95 masks is required on all trains, ships, and local public transportation (buses and subway trains) and inside all healthcare facilities. Children under six are exempt from all mask-wearing rules. FFP2/KN95 masks are designed to fit closer to the face for increased comfort and to protect the wearer from breathing in harmful particles. They should be worn only once and then thrown away. No masks of any kind are required in other public places in Italy.
There are no restrictions on inter-city or inter-regional travel in Italy. Travelers are safe to move from region to region freely.
The “Green Pass” is no longer required to access businesses or services in Italy—bars and restaurants, shops, museums, theaters, cinemas, stadiums, gyms, spas, and almost anywhere else you may wish to enter on your vacation are now freely accessible to all, Italians and foreign visitors alike.
Although mask requirements have been dropped, the government still recommends the wearing of masks indoors and many Italians continue to wear them. Individual venues are allowed to impose their own mask mandates, so take care to look out for signs to that effect and be sure to have some masks to hand, just in case.