Entrance Requirements For Anybody Going on
Italian Vacations

Everybody knows the feeling of having to prepare the right documents when planning out their vacations. The word 'bureaucracy' can leave a pit in people's stomachs. However, most foreigners going on Italian vacations will only need a valid passport to enter and stay in Italy.

Since Lake Como is close to Switzerland, many travelers like to visit both countries while there. Keep in mind, that you may need to get a visa for both countries if the situation applies to you.

Entrance Requirements

Online Visa Agencies: If you are from a country that requires a visa to enter Italy, you can avoid the stress and long queues at offices by getting a visa agency to arrange your visa. One such place is:
Travel Visa Pro, San Francisco, USA. 1-888-470-8472

Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens must have a passport, but a visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders, endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen, or British Subject do not need a visa to visit Italy for up to 90 days. Other passport holders require a visa.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australians must have a passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans need a passport and a Schengen visa to travel to Italy.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand citizens must have a passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport, but no visa is required for a stay of up to 90 days.

Passport/Visa Note: The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that has a multiple entry option that allows the holder to travel freely within the borders of all. Travelers are advised to have a return or onward tickets, all documents required for their next destination and sufficient funds to cover the period of intended stay in Italy.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers embarking upon Italian Vacations are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

If you ever run into problems during your Italian vacations, contact your nearest consulate or embassy:

Consulates and Embassies

Consulates near Lake Como in Italy

United States Consulate in Milan, +39 02 290351
British Consulate in Milan +39 02 723001       
Canada Consulate in Padova, +39 049 8764833
Australian Consulate in Milan +39 02 77 704 242
South African Consulate in Milan +39 02 885 8581
Ireland Consulate in Milan +39 2551 87 569
New Zealand Consulate in Milan +39 02 49 90 201

Italy Embassies

Italian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 612 4400.
Italian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312 2200.
Italian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2401.
Italian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3333.
Italian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 423 0000.
Italian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 1744.
Italian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 5339.

Foreign Embassies in Italy

United States Embassy, Rome: +39 06 46741.
British Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4220 0001.
Canadian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 85444 1.
Australian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 721.
South African Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 541.
Irish Embassy, Rome: +39 06 697 9121.
New Zealand Embassy, Rome: +39 06 441 7171.

Customs

Italian Customs Restrictions

Practical Advice

Before leaving for Italian vacations, make copies of the passport page with your photo, traveler’s checks serial numbers, travel insurance policies, plane tickets, and any other important documents that you may be carrying. Keep them separate from your originals. If you are able, it will be wise to leave a set at home and tell someone you trust where they are, just in case you would need them faxed or sent to you.

In the unfortunate event of losing your passport, notify the police and the nearest embassy/consulate of your home government IMMEDIATELY. You will need to have all the information from your lost passport, proof of citizenship, and identification. Ask for temporary traveling papers that will allow you to re-enter your home destination, since the process of obtaining a replacement for your passport may take weeks.