Italy Visa Application and Entry Requirements
The world’s seventh-largest economy, the Republic of Italy, is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. It has an area of 301,340 km2 and a population of 60.20 million. It emerged from the Roman Empire, which was one of the greatest European empires to have ever existed.
As a result, today, the country is home to many castles and palaces and a lot of buildings of various architectural styles, such as Romanesque, Gothic, Mannerist, Baroque, and Neoclassical. Moreover, it has a coastline of 7,600 km, picturesque lakes, stunning cliffs, and many green national parks.
With all these natural and man-made wonders, Italy is a huge magnet for tourists. It is estimated that over 50 million tourists visit Italy each year. Tourism is crucial to Italy’s economy, providing more than 60% of the country’s national income.
World travellers wishing to enter Italy for short stays can do so by obtaining a Schengen Visa to Italy, but not everyone needs a visa to enter Italy. In this article, you will find out if you belong to countries whose citizens need or don’t need a visa to visit Italy, as well as other entry and visa requirements.
San Marino and the Vatican City – two European microstates located within Italy – are considered part of the Schengen Area, although they did not officially sign the particular documents of the agreement. Besides, no border control is performed for the Schengen countries surrounding them.

Italy Entry Requirements
All EU / EEA nationals will only need to present an identification document to enter Italy due to the common travel area of the Schengen Zone, part of which Italy is.
In the meantime, if you are a non-EU/EEA traveller wishing to visit Italy, San Marino or the Vatican, you will need to present the following at the Italian port of entry in order to be permitted to enter:
A valid passport or travel document. Valid for at least three more months beyond their planned date of Exit from Schengen and issued within the last ten years.
A visa – if they are subject to the Italian visa regime.
Other documents, such as an invitation letter from an Italian host, proof you have the financial means for a trip to Italy or a round-trip ticket, may be required from you. For more information in this regard, contact the local consular services of Italy in your country of residence.

What Documents Are Required When Applying for an Italian Schengen Visa?

The following documents are required for any short-term Italian Schengen visa application:

• Italian visa application form. Complete the form and then print it. Sign in at the end after you print it. Ensure the information you have given in this form complies with the information given in the rest of the required documents for an Italy visa.
• One passport-size picture. The picture must have been taken in the last six months and in compliance with Italy’s photograph visa requirements.
• Valid passport. You will need to submit your passport along with the rest of the visa-required documents. Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages in order to affix the visa and:
  • It is not older than ten years.
  • Has a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Italy and the whole territory of Schengen.
• Your residence permit card along with a copy (if you are not a citizen of the country from which you are applying).
• Proof of accommodation:
  • Hotel reservation. (Check Booking.com or HotelsCombined to find cheap hotels in Italy!)
  • If you have a host in Italy: Completed and signed copy of the sponsorship form along with a copy of the passport and the Italian residence permit card of your host (if applicable).
• Proof of travel (as applicable):
  • Round trip ticket, reservation, or flight itinerary.
  • Proof of the availability of personal transportation.
  • Ferry ticket.
• Schengen travel visa insurance. Health insurance for the whole territory of Italy and the Schengen Area. Minimal health insurance coverage for the Schengen Zone is €30,000.

Travel health insurance policies for foreigners visiting Italy that fulfil Italian Visa requirements can be purchased online from Europ Assistance or Mondial Care. Travel insurance policies issued by both companies are accepted by Italian authorities worldwide. 

• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Italy. The Italian authorities want you to prove you have the necessary financial means to support yourself throughout your stay in Italy. You will need to prove you have the following amount depending on the length of your stay.
  • Up to 5 days – The overall amount is 269.60€ per person and 212.81 per two and more persons.
  • 6-10 days – The daily amount is 44.93€ per person and 26.33€ per two and more persons.
  • 11-20 days – The overall amount is 51.64€ per person and 25.82€ per two and more persons, plus the daily amount is 36.67€ per person and 22.21€ per two and more persons.
  • Over 20 days – The overall amount is 206.58€ per person and 118.79€ per two and more persons, plus the daily amount is 27.89€ per person and 17.04€ per two and more persons.
• Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc. Civil status documents should not be older than six months.
• If requested:
  • Copies of relevant pages in your passport, such as pages containing previous visas.
  • A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Italy, how long you plan to stay, when you will leave and other relevant details of the trip.
  • Document checklist. Tick the documents submitted and add the document checklist to your application file. The checklist is usually available from the Italian Consulate/Embassy.