Italy ETIAS: Who needs it, when, and application process

From cuisine to fashion to history and art, Italy sees millions of travelers every year and continues to be one of the most popular travel destinations - not just in Europe, but in the entire world.

In 2024 alone, ISTAT, Italy's national statistical institute, reported 458.4 million nights stayed by tourists. These numbers seem to be growing.

Volume isn't the only thing changing - so are travel requirements. Requirements like mandatory travel insurance and visas are already the norm for dozens of countries. Now, there's a new requirement that may affect you: ETIAS.

If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you may need to get ETIAS approval before you board your flight.

Do you need an ETIAS to visit Italy?

From 2027 on, millions of travelers will need to get pre-approval in order to travel to Italy. While in the past, a valid passport would do, this won't be the case for some travelers moving forward.

If you are not a citizen of an EU or Schengen country or do not hold a valid Schengen visa/residence, you will need to apply for ETIAS. This includes US and UK citizens.

The US, UK, Canada, and other countries all have visa-waiver agreements with the Schengen area (which includes Italy). Citizens of these countries do not need to obtain a visa to travel to Italy or other countries of the Schengen area (there are 29 in total).

Citizens from countries that don’t require visas, like the US, will need ETIAS to enter the Schengen area from 2027 on.

For clarity, ETIAS is not a visa, and it does not replace the Schengen visa process. If you hold a passport from a country that isn't visa-exempt, you will still need a Schengen visa in order to visit Italy.

You may see ETIAS being described as an e-visa. This also isn't quite true. ETIAS is an authorization that allows travelers to enter the Schengen area for short stays (under 90 days). For all intents and purposes, applying for ETIAS is applying to have your trip approved.

You can learn more about Schengen visas for Italy in our Italy visa guide.

Do I need ETIAS if I have a visa for Italy?

If you hold a valid Italy visa (or Schengen visa), you do not need to apply for ETIAS. ETIAS is an “either/or” situation. Third-country nationals need to either have a valid Schengen visa or an ETIAS approval.

How to apply for ETIAS for Italy

Once ETIAS is up and running, you will be able to apply entirely online. To apply, you will need to have your passport, travel plans, and a debit or credit card ready.

While the platform isn't functional yet (as ETIAS has not yet gone into effect), you'll be able to apply by following these steps:

If your application is rejected

If your application was denied, you’ll receive an email telling you why it was denied. In this email, you’ll also receive information on how to submit an appeal.

In most cases, ETIAS is approved within a few minutes.

Validity period

An approved ETIAS is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. If you renew your passport or get a new one for any reason, you will need to reapply for ETIAS.

Traveling outside of Italy

According to the EU website, a valid ETIAS allows you to travel throughout the Schengen area and Cyprus. With that being said, it does not guarantee entry. Border guards can still deny entry.

Italy ETIAS FAQs