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Italy

Italy visa

Europe · Southern Europe

In Italy, visas fall under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), which publishes the portal "Il visto per l'Italia". The portal consulted on 17 September 2026 offers a guided procedure in four questions — nationality, country of stable residence, duration and purpose of the stay — which states whether an entry visa is necessary and then provides the required information and forms. The application falls to the Italian diplomatic or consular representation responsible for the place of stable residence.

Updated on 22 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 17 September 2026

At a glance

Authority
Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale (MAECI) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Submission channel
Italian diplomatic or consular representation responsible for the place of stable residence; the portal has an "Outsourcing" section linking to a list of approved external visa service providers
Electronic visa
Not stated on the portal consulted
Portal language
Italian (version consulted); the portal is also offered in English, Arabic, Russian and Chinese
Short stay
According to the portal, a short stay means a maximum of 90 days in any 180 days, calculated as a single period for all the European countries that use the Entry/Exit System (EES)

Do you need a visa?

Iceland passport: no visa needed for a short tourist stay.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

Visa exemption provided for by the Agreement on the European Economic Area (recital 6 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, OJ L 303 of 28.11.2018); outside the annexes, no duration stated.

Official source: EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, Annexes I and II (consolidated version of 30.12.2025)EUR-Lex — Règlement (UE) 2018/1806, annexes I et II (version consolidée du 30.12.2025) (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

Italy visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 60

List of nationalities

Visa required 104

List of nationalities

Information not available 7

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

Short-stay visa ("fino a 90 giorni") — general purposes
The portal lists in particular TURISMO, AFFARI, CURE MEDICHE, GARA SPORTIVA, INVITO, MISSIONE, MOTIVI RELIGIOSI, RICERCA, STUDIO, TRANSITO and TRASPORTO. Official page (new tab)
Short-stay visa — work purposes
The portal lists LAVORO AUTONOMO and LAVORO SUBORDINATO, with variants for entertainment and for sporting activity. Official page (new tab)
Long-stay visa ("oltre 90 giorni") — family and residence
The portal lists MOTIVI FAMILIARI, MOTIVI FAMILIARI - FAMILIARI DI CITTADINO UE, RESIDENZA ELETTIVA, REINGRESSO and ADOZIONE. Official page (new tab)
Long-stay visa — study, training and research
The portal lists STUDIO, STUDIO - FORMAZIONE PROFESSIONALE, STUDIO - TIROCINIO, RICERCA and VACANZE LAVORO. Official page (new tab)
Long-stay visa — work and investment
The portal lists LAVORO AUTONOMO, LAVORO SUBORDINATO and its variants (sporting activity, seafarers, entertainment), as well as INVESTITORI. Official page (new tab)
Long-stay visa — other purposes
The portal lists CURE MEDICHE, MISSIONE, MOTIVI RELIGIOSI, VOLONTARIATO - CONTINGENTE NAZIONALE and VOLONTARIATO - SERVIZIO VOLONTARIO EUROPEO. Official page (new tab)

Where and how to apply

The portal "Il visto per l'Italia" offers a guided procedure: from the nationality, the country of stable residence, the purpose of the visit and the duration of the stay, it states whether an entry visa for Italy is necessary. The portal specifies that, where a visa is necessary, all the information and all the forms useful for the application are then provided.

The portal states that, for any additional element, interested persons may contact directly the Italian diplomatic or consular representation responsible for the place of stable residence. It specifies that the information it publishes is purely indicative and not exhaustive.

The portal warns that the information provided concerns only holders of an ordinary travel document: holders of a diplomatic or service passport are invited to contact the Italian diplomatic or consular representations.

Steps in the procedure

  1. Answer the four questions of the portal's guided procedure: nationality, country of stable residence, duration of the stay and purpose of the stay.
  2. Read the portal's answer, which states whether an entry visa is necessary in order to come to Italy.
  3. Where a visa is necessary, use the information and the forms that the portal provides for the corresponding category.
  4. Contact the Italian diplomatic or consular representation responsible for the place of stable residence for any additional element.
  5. Precise filing arrangements (booking an appointment, place, submission of documents): not stated on the pages consulted.

Documents mentioned by the authority

The exact list depends on the visa type and on the situation; only the official page is authoritative.

Stated fees and processing times

The visa fees are not stated on the pages consulted: not stated on the portal consulted.

The processing times are not stated on the pages consulted: not stated on the portal consulted.

The portal notes the existence of approved external visa service providers, without quantifying their fees on the pages consulted.

After the decision

The decision rests with the authority. The portal states expressly that submitting the documentation requested does not necessarily lead to the issuance of the visa.

The portal specifies that, at the time of entry into Italy and into the Schengen area, even when holding a visa, the border authorities are authorized to ask again for proof of the conditions laid down for obtaining that visa.

According to the page devoted to the Entry/Exit System (EES), consulted on 17 September 2026, that system came into force on October 12, 2025: it records in digital form the entries, exits and any refusals of entry of third-country nationals, replaces the stamping of the passport with an electronic record and collects biometric data, including fingerprints and the facial image. The same page states that holders of a long-stay D visa or of a residence permit issued by a member state are not recorded in the EES.

Prepare your application

Frequently asked questions

Is a visa required to travel to Italy?

The official portal also offers a guided procedure in four questions. Always check with the authority.

Where is the application filed?

The portal refers applicants to the Italian diplomatic or consular representation responsible for the place of stable residence. It also has an "Outsourcing" section linking to a list of approved external visa service providers.

Is there an electronic visa?

Not stated on the portal consulted.

What are the fees and processing times?

The detail pages by visa purpose could not be opened.

What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?

According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026, the EES came into force on October 12, 2025. It electronically records the entries, exits and refusals of entry of third-country nationals on short stays, replaces the passport stamp and collects biometric data, including fingerprints and the facial image.

Does a complete file guarantee the issuance of the visa?

No. The portal states that submitting the documentation requested does not necessarily lead to the issuance of the visa, and that the border authorities may ask again for proof of the required conditions at the time of entry.

Points to check with the authority

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