Entry into the Schengen Area and into the Italian territory of foreigners coming from external borders is permitted only to foreigners who:

1. show up at a border crossing point;
2. have a passport or other recognised equivalent travel document valid for crossing borders;
3. have documents justifying the purpose and conditions of their stay and prove they have sufficient financial means in relation to the nature and duration of their stay and the cost of returning to the country of origin (or for transit to a third State);
4. have a valid entry or transit visa, where required;
5. are not reported to be subject to an alert for being refused entry into the Schengen Information System (SIS);
6. are not considered to be a threat to public order, national security or the international relations of any of the Contracting Parties, by national provisions or those of other Schengen States.

A foreigner already living in a Schengen State and holding a stay permit is exempt from the visa requirement for stays not exceeding 90 days in a 180-day period.

A foreigner who does not meet even one of these requirements may be subject to refusal of entry, which can be enforced by the competent border authorities even in the presence of a regular entry visa.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about the risks of travel, to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Entry/Exit System (EES) – October 12, 2025

Starting from October 12, 2025, the centralized system for the electronic registration of entry and exit of third-country nationals at the external borders of the Schengen Area for short stays becomes operational. “Short stays” means a period of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, calculated as a single period for all European countries using the EES.