Italy sets new rules for international travel

New rules for travel to Italy came into effect from February 1 onwards. The validity of the new rules will be in force until March 15th, according to the most recent ordinance signed by the Italian health minister on January 27.

Here are the latest travel rules:

Travel from within the EU

• Anyone travelling to Italy from within the bloc will need to show either proof of vaccination, recovery, or a recent negative Covid test, to enter the country without a self-isolation requirement.The previous rules required travelers entering Italy from within the EU and Schengen area to show both proof of vaccination or recovery from Covid and a recent negative test result. Anyone unable to provide both was subject to a five-day quarantine period.
• For those who arrive in the country without proof of either vaccination or recovery, Italy accepts a negative result from a rapid (lateral flow) test taken within 24 hours of arrival in the country, or from a PCR (molecular) test taken within the 48 hours before arrival.
• Bear in mind that the test must be from a certified provider that issues you with a certificate containing your full name, personal information, and a time stamp showing when the test was taken – a DIY home test result will not be accepted unless it meets these criteria.
• Health passes issued based on two vaccine doses are now valid for nine months. These rules apply when crossing international borders within the European Union and Schengen area.

Travel from outside the EU

The existing rules for all other countries are extended for six weeks until March 15th, 2022, The Local reported quoting Italian foreign ministry’s Viaggiare Sicuri (Travel Safe) website.

The website refers to the same January 27th ordinance that announced the changes to intra-EU travel restrictions, the report said.

This document states that rules on travel to and from “foreign countries or territories continue to apply, until the date of March 15th 2022, with the remaining measures set out in the ordinance of the Minister of Health of October 22nd, 2021 and the order of the Minister of Health of December 14th, 2021”.

That means that for all countries on Italy’s travel ‘List D’, which includes the US and Canada, it remains the case from February 1st that tourism to Italy is permitted without a self-isolation requirement, provided the traveler produces a valid vaccination or recovery certificate and a negative test result.