ETIAS for Italy: What's Required in 2026

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 I need an ETIAS to visit Italy?

From 2026 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 a Schengen country or do not hold a valid Schengen visa, 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 the end of 2026 onward.

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).

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:

Step one: Answer a few questions

Make sure you’re on the official ETIAS website. Follow the prompts to apply.

During the application process, you'll need to share a few personal details such as your full name, passport number, nationality, and travel details.

You'll also need to answer questions about your background. According to the EU, you’ll need to provide your parents’ first names, your occupation, your highest level of education, and more. Just follow along with the prompts and make sure to answer every question truthfully.

Step two: pay the application fee

There is a fee to apply for ETIAS if you're between the ages of 18 and 70. If you're outside of that age range, the fee is waived.

You'll need to pay the fee online when you submit your application. It costs 20 euros per person.

Step four: wait for approval

Usually, applicants don’t have to wait long. The vast majority of the time, ETIAS approval is granted within minutes, if not immediately. However, in some cases, ETIAS approval can take up to 30 days. This is uncommon but possible, so it’s best to secure your ETIAS approval well ahead of your trip just to be sure.

Step five: enjoy your trip to Italy!

Your ETIAS approval will be automatically (digitally) linked to your passport, so authorities at border control can see that you are permitted to enter the Schengen area.

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.

Validity

Your Italy 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

Do I need ETIAS for Italy?

When will I need ETIAS for Italy?

Sources

ISTAT Tourism Statistics 2024: https://www.istat.it/en/press-release/tourist-flows-fourth-quarter-2024/

European Union's ETIAS Platform: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias

European Union ETIAS FAQs: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/faq#not-received-etias-reason