GoItaly Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

1、 Visa

A visa is a voucher that allows foreigners to enter Italy and is issued by the Italian embassy or consulate of the country where the applicant is located. Chinese Hong Kong and Macau residents who stay within the designated area for tourism, business, official business, or sports events for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days do not need to apply for an entry visa. Holders of Chinese diplomatic passports who stay within the territory for a maximum of 90 days per 180 days are exempt from visa application. Other Chinese citizens, regardless of their length of stay, are required to apply for an entry visa.

The types of Italian visas mainly include tourism, visiting relatives and friends, business, studying, working, family reunion, sports and cultural activities, medical care, adoption, transit, cabin crew, and others. Applicants should provide relevant materials according to different visa requirements. More information and details can be obtained on the website of the Italian Embassy in China.

Special reminder: Before entering Italy, please check the validity period of your passport to avoid the impact of passport expiration on your itinerary while abroad. In addition, you also need to check the visa information on your passport to ensure that you have obtained an Italian visa and a transit visa for the countries along the way, and that the visa is valid and the stay time cannot exceed the maximum number of days approved by the visa. The type of visa should match the true purpose of your visit. In addition, please carry copies of your passport information page, visa page, and personal identification photo with you for future reference.

Italian border inspectors may require visa holders to present relevant documents to prove whether the applicant has sufficient financial ability, as well as the duration of stay and travel purpose in the country. Please be reminded to carry copies of the relevant documents provided when applying for a visa, such as invitation letters, hotel reservations, round-trip air tickets, or other materials proving the purpose of the trip.

2、 Entry

According to Article 5 of the Schengen Border Law, non Schengen citizens entering Italy must meet the following conditions:

（1） Entering through border ports;

1. Holding a valid passport recognized by the Italian government or a travel document with equivalent validity (which should allow the holder to freely return to the issuing country);

2. Having documents that can prove their entry purpose and stay conditions, and that they have sufficient funds to ensure that they are concerned about the expenses during their stay and pay the travel expenses for returning to China or going to a third country (foreigners who have lived in Schengen countries and obtained official residence are not included).

（2） Hold a valid entry or transit visa.

（3） No record of entry restrictions.

（4） Not considered a threat to the common order, national security, and international relations of Italy.

（5） Anyone who fails to meet any of the above conditions, even if holding an entry or transit visa, will be refused entry by the Italian border authorities.

Special reminder: The Italian government attaches great importance to child abduction and fraud, so if you bring underage children into the country, it is best to prepare a notarized family relationship; If others are allowed to carry it, a power of attorney must also be prepared to prevent customs inspection. Do not carry counterfeit branded products, otherwise you may face high fines.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Regulations on Carrying Items

Passengers entering or traveling from non EU countries must comply with the following regulations:

（1） Cash: If the total amount of cash carried is less than 10000 euros, there is no need to declare it. If it is equal to or exceeds 10000 euros, it must be declared to customs, otherwise it will face administrative seizure and fines. This limit also includes other currencies of equal value or easily convertible bonds, stocks, traveler's checks, etc.

（2） Tobacco: One of the following four items can be carried when entering from non EU countries: 200 cigarettes (1 item); 100 cigarettes (each weighing no more than 3 grams); 50 cigars; Tobacco 250 grams.

（3） Alcoholic beverages: One of the following four items can be carried upon entry from non EU countries: distilled, alcoholic beverages with a degree exceeding 22, or 1 liter of non denatured alcohol with a purity exceeding 80%; 2 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content equal to or less than 22 degrees; 4 liters of non sparkling wine; 16 liters of beer.

（4） Other items: Other personal use items, with a total price not exceeding 300 euros (for land entry) and 430 euros (for air or sea entry). The maximum limit for minors to carry items is 150 euros. If the quantity exceeds the limit, it should be declared to the customs proactively, and the portion exceeding the tax-free limit should be subject to customs duties according to current regulations.

（5） Italian customs also have regulations on the entry and exit of animals, plants, medicines, protected species, cultural relics, weapons, etc. Please have a detailed understanding before departure.

exit

（1） There are no value restrictions on outbound goods, but they should comply with the relevant regulations of the destination country.

（2） Duty free shopping: Non EU citizens holding visas can purchase duty-free goods within Italy. To purchase tax-free goods, you need to go to a store with a tax-free label. To ensure a successful tax refund, please remind the merchant to accurately fill in the passport information when processing the tax exemption form. If the information is incorrect, the tax refund may not be processed upon arrival at the airport.

（3） Flight delay: If the flight delay is caused by the airline, according to the relevant regulations of the airline, the flight ticket can be refunded, changed or compensated. If reasonable demands cannot be resolved, please pay attention to collecting evidence, file complaints with industry management departments, or resolve through legal channels.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Residence

Those who are concerned about staying for more than 90 days must submit a residence application within 8 working days after entering the country. You can obtain an application form from the post office or other authorized municipal departments, fill it out completely and attach relevant documents, and send it out through the post office. Specific requirements can be found on the Italian Immigration Bureau website www.portaleimmigrazione.it or the Italian government immigration integration website http://www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/Pagine/default.aspx Search.

Special reminder: Foreigners will receive an appointment notice for registration at the police station when they submit their applications at the post office, which indicates the date when foreigners need to take photos to the police station to accept fingerprint collection. If you need to pay attention to staying beyond the validity period of your visa, you need to apply for residence at the local police station.

2、 Naturalization

Italian nationality follows the principle of bloodline, which means that only children whose parents are Italian citizens can obtain Italian nationality. Foreign citizens can obtain Italian citizenship through the following two methods:

（1） Residence

You can apply for Italian citizenship in the following situations:

Care about non EU citizens who have been legally settled for more than 10 years;

Care about EU citizens who have resided legally for more than 4 years;

One of the applicant's parents or ancestors is an Italian citizen or concerned about birth, and has been residing there for more than 3 years;

Raised by Italian citizens and settled for more than 5 years;

Care about stateless persons or refugees who have been legally settled for more than 5 years.

All foreign children born and residing in Italy have one year to apply for Italian citizenship before reaching the age of 18.

（2） Marriage

Foreign spouses of Italian citizens can apply for Italian citizenship after marriage. But it must be at least 2 years after marriage. If the foreign spouse (residing abroad) gets married, they need to be at least 3 years before they can apply. The above situations can only take effect if there is no divorce, dissolution of marriage or separation. Therefore, if divorce, dissolution of marriage or separation occurs during the application process, the application will be rejected. If both parties have children or adopted children, the required marriage time will be halved; Under the same circumstances, foreign spouses who have lived abroad for at least one year or 18 months after marriage can apply for Italian citizenship.

Italy's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

The overall public security situation in Italy is good, with few major criminal and violent injury cases. However, during the peak tourist season, incidents such as theft and robbery in major cities that Chinese tourists are concerned about still occur frequently. The Chinese Embassy in Italy reminds Chinese citizens traveling to Italy to fully prepare for their travels, pay attention to risks, and strengthen prevention measures

1、 Prevent the loss of documents. Please keep your passport and other travel documents safe and separate them from valuable items such as cash as much as possible. Copy passport, visa and other documents before travel, print paper versions and store electronic versions on mobile phones.

2、 Prevent theft and robbery. UnionPay cards can be used in major cities. Some businesses such as airports and shopping malls can use WeChat, Alipay and other mobile payment tools, without traveling with a lot of cash. Special precautions should be taken against theft in train stations, shopping malls, popular attractions, etc., to avoid traveling late at night and not to explore narrow and deserted alleys alone. In case of theft or robbery, please call the emergency hotline 112 or ask passersby to assist in reporting to the nearest police station.

3、 Fully grasp travel information. Before traveling, please check the city, attractions, transportation, accommodation, weather and other information from multiple sources, and remember the contact information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12308 hotline and the Chinese Embassy in Italy. You can follow the WeChat official account of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Consular Direct" and the WeChat official account of the Embassy in Italy "Italian Travel Sunshine" and other platforms in advance. Relevant information will help you travel safely and in a civilized manner.

Theft and robbery of property

Please report to the police promptly, provide a detailed list of the lost items, cooperate with the police investigation, and keep the report form properly. If there is insurance coverage, you can claim compensation from the insurance company. If personal injury occurs, please seek medical attention as soon as possible and confirm your physical condition to prevent accidents.

Lost passport

It is recommended to report to the police in a timely manner, keep the report form properly, and apply for a travel permit at the Chinese Embassy in Italy as soon as possible. If other documents (such as visas, ID cards, residence cards, etc.) are lost, please inquire with the original issuing authority. When applying for a travel permit, please fill out the application form and provide a copy of your passport, 2 photos of your documents, and a report form (non essential documents, but it is recommended to obtain them at the police station as proof of insurance claims or lost and found items).

Entry obstruction

When entry is obstructed, one should remain calm and communicate well, truthfully explain the purpose of entry, itinerary arrangement, reception unit, and other visit information, understand the reasons for obstruction, and rationally handle border related decisions. If you do not understand a foreign language, you can request translation from the other party or contact the Chinese Embassy in Italy for assistance. Consular officers will inquire with the relevant authorities as appropriate. During this process, please pay attention to collecting and preserving evidence for future legal appeals.

Traffic accident

Please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the insurance company and car rental company. Take multi angle photos of the accident scene, recording in detail the name, driver's license, contact information, vehicle model, license plate number, insurance policy number, and other information of the other party's driver, in order to determine responsibility and apply for compensation. In case of a major traffic accident causing casualties, please immediately call the emergency and emergency hotline, and notify the Chinese Embassy in Italy.

【 Tourist Visit 】

Choose a reputable travel agency, sign a travel contract, communicate and resolve disputes, and legally protect one's own rights and interests. Please choose the visiting project and route based on your own physical condition. Maintain continuous contact with family and friends, promptly inform them of health and safety conditions, and report their whereabouts. Respect local laws, regulations, and customs, and advocate for civilized travel. Wearing shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless tops is prohibited when entering churches or Catholic museums, and can be covered with items such as shawls and scarves. Before using a tripod or drone to take photos, it is necessary to understand local regulations in advance. When disputes arise with travel agencies, restaurants, shops, etc., it is recommended that you collect relevant evidence and negotiate with the parties involved to resolve them. If the negotiation fails, you can log in to the online reporting and complaint handling system of the National Cultural and Tourism Market to file a complaint or resolve it through legal means.

natural disaster

It is not a country with frequent natural disasters. The main natural disasters are volcanoes and earthquakes. Tourists should always pay attention to warning information and stay away from the surrounding areas of the volcano when warnings appear.

FDA

Yi is a traditional agricultural powerhouse known for its cuisine, abundant in olive oil, wine, and cheese. The Italian government has strict supervision over food production, with a complete food hygiene and safety traceability system and a good food safety credit system. Most of the tap water can be consumed directly, and some city streets have drinking water facilities for pedestrians to quench their thirst.

Urgent Help

First aid: 118

Fire alarm: 115

Military police: 112

Police: 113

Emergency contact information for consular protection at the Embassy in Italy: 0039-3939110852 (Embassy in Italy), 0039-3357748753 (Consulate General in Florence), 0039-3272862927 (Consulate General in Milan).

air traffic

There are airports in major cities in Italy, with over 20 of them being larger. Rome has Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Aeroporto Internazionale di Roma Fiumicino "Leonardo da Vinci"), also known as Fiumicino Airport due to its location in the small town of Fiumicino near Rome; There is also Ciampino Airport. Milan has Malpensa and Linata airports. Generally, airports are accessible by highways, and there is also an airport express (Leonardo Express) that leads to Roma Termini, the city center train station, at the Rome Fiumicino International Airport.

land transport

The Italian railway network is well-developed, and the Italian national railway network is managed by the Ferrovie dello Stato. There are no ticket gates at train stations, and train attendants check tickets while the train is in motion. Except for high-speed trains (Freccia) and intercity express trains (InterCity), tickets for regular trains (Regionale) do not have carriage numbers, seat numbers, departure dates, and times printed on them. Therefore, passengers taking regular trains must activate their tickets before boarding, otherwise even holding a ticket will be considered as fare evasion and result in fines.

Italian National Railway Company ticket purchasing website: www.trenitalia.it， Private railway company Italo: https://www.italotreno.it .

The condition of the Italian highway is good, and the expressways are relatively developed. Only the roads in the old city center are narrow and winding, with severe traffic congestion during peak commuting hours. The maximum speed limit of expressways is 130 km/h, that of first-class highway is 110 km/h, that of second-class highway is 90 km/h, and that of urban areas is 50 km/h. Special speed limits may be imposed on certain sections, which should be noticed in time. There are many motorcycles that can be driven on highways.

Some city centers have restricted areas (Zona a Traffico Limitato, ZTL) where vehicles other than authorized ones are prohibited from entering for a limited period of time.

Parking spaces are divided into three types: blue line, white line, and yellow line. The blue line is for paid parking spaces. After parking, you should go to the nearby payment machine to pay according to the parking time (or purchase a parking ticket from a tobacco store or newsstand), and place the ticket on the front windshield of the car. The white line is a free parking space, which can be parked according to the time limit specified by the local municipal government. The yellow line indicates parking spaces for special vehicles such as disabled persons, trucks, or police cars, which are prohibited from being occupied.

When renting a car, it is necessary to provide materials such as a pre order, credit card, passport, and driver's license. After extracting the vehicle, the condition and insurance of the vehicle should be checked first. When a traffic accident occurs, attention should be paid to retaining evidence, reporting to the police in a timely manner, and notifying the car rental company.

Special Reminder:

1. Please try to park your vehicle in a supervised parking lot.

2. Please carry important belongings with you, and place your luggage in the trunk with a cover to prevent theft.

3. The Chinese Embassy in Italy does not handle the notarization of domestic driver's licenses.

water communication

There are 19 major ports in Italy, including Genoa, Naples, Venice, Trieste, Taranto, Livorna, and Syracuse, mainly connecting Sicily, Sardinia, and Mediterranean coastal countries.

Urban transportation

People who care about taking buses and subways need to buy tickets before boarding, and there are no dedicated ticket offices. Generally, they buy tickets at tobacco shops, newsstands, or vending machines. There are several types of train tickets, including annual tickets, monthly tickets, weekly tickets, daily tickets, and single use tickets. They need to be activated at the ticket checking machine after the first boarding according to the ticket prompts, and pay attention to the validity time.

The subway checks tickets at the entrance, and there are ticket checking machines on buses. Passengers can check tickets voluntarily, and if the machines malfunction, the driver can indicate the time on the ticket. Sometimes there will be ticket inspectors boarding the train for inspection, and if passengers are found to have boarded without tickets or without checking tickets, they will be fined.

Except for train stations and airports, taking a taxi can be booked by calling the dedicated hotline (Rome 06-3570, Milan 02-4040) or using mobile apps such as FREENOW.

major city

1、 Rome (meaning: Roma）

The capital of Italy, the political, cultural, and transportation center of the country, a world-renowned historical and cultural city, and the birthplace of the ancient Roman Empire, is located in the central western part of the Italian peninsula, with a city center area of over 1200 square kilometers.

Rome is the center of Catholicism, with over 700 churches and monasteries, 7 Catholic universities, and the Vatican City as the seat of the Catholic Pope and the Holy See. It was one of the few cities that were not affected by the war during World War II. The center of Rome still preserves a considerable amount of Renaissance and Baroque style buildings.

2、 Florence (Italian: Firenze）

The capital of Tuscany and Florence provinces in central Italy.

Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance movement and one of the cradles of art and architecture, with numerous historical buildings and museums rich in collections (such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, the Baggio Gallery, the Palatine Gallery, etc.).

3、 Venice (Italian: Venezia)

A famous tourist and industrial city in northeastern Italy, the capital of the Veneto region.

The city of Venice covers 118 islands and adjacent peninsulas along the Adriatic Sea coast in northeastern Italy. The lagoon area is distributed along the coastline between the Po River and the Piave River.

4、 Milan (Italian: Milano）

The economic center of Italy, the capital of Milan province and Lombardy region, an important transportation hub in southern Europe, with a long history and renowned for sightseeing, fashion, and architecture.

Commodity prices

produce

Italy's main export commodities include precision machinery, automobiles, and chemical products, but the more famous ones are food and clothing. There are approximately 1.6 million agricultural enterprises in Italy, making it a traditional and powerful agricultural country in the world. The quality of agricultural products such as olive oil, wine, and tomato sauce is renowned worldwide. Italy is the country within the European Union that has obtained the most certifications for "protection of origin", "protection of geographical indications", and "protection of traditional specialty products".

exchange rate

Intending to use the Euro, the central parity rate as of October 31, 2023 is: 100 Euros=765 Chinese Yuan, 100 Euros=107 US Dollars.

Insurance Medical

Overall, the medical conditions are good and the hygiene conditions are good. Foreign citizens who are legally residing in Italy must apply to the local health bureau (ASL) to register for the National Health Service (SSN) and obtain a medical card in order to access public healthcare services. National medical services are divided into two types: statutory registration and voluntary registration. International students register voluntarily, and temporary visitors cannot register. After registration, you can choose a family doctor and visit their clinic for daily medical treatment.

To apply for a medical card for the first time, the following documents are required:

-Proof of identity (passport, ID card, etc.)

-Tax card

-Residence Permit (or Residence Application Form)

-Proof related to income (such as salary statements).

-Unemployed individuals can first register at a job agency (Ufficio di collectamento) and then present their unemployment certificate.

Emergency and First Aid:

Anyone who cares, including illegal immigrants, can directly go to the hospital emergency department (Pronto Soccorso) or call emergency number 118 if they have a sudden illness or seek medical treatment at night. The emergency room categorizes the urgency level by color based on the patient's condition. Red represents dangerous conditions, yellow represents urgent conditions, green represents more urgent conditions, and white represents ordinary conditions. Red and yellow conditions can be treated in a short period of time; The green and white conditions need to wait for a period of time, or arrange for examination when possible.

Customs taboos

1、 Religious beliefs

Catholicism is the largest religion, with other faiths including Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. There are over 2000 various religious organizations.

Catholicism has a long history and significant influence in Italy, with over 200 dioceses and a large number of monks. Churches and monasteries are located in cities, towns, and villages across the country. The church has many hospitals and schools, which have a great influence on Italian politics, culture, and so on.

The Vatican City in Rome is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the center of the world's Catholicism.

2、 Major Festivals

New Year's Day: January 1st; Epiphany: January 6th; Easter: the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox; Liberation Day: April 25th; National Day: June 2nd; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: August 15th; Halloween: November 1st; Christmas: December 25th.

3、 Etiquette and Customs

1. Dress etiquette. Italians generally wear Western style clothing in formal social occasions. At modern weddings, the bride usually wears a white wedding dress. In some festive events, grand makeup parades are often held.

2. Social etiquette. The name of Italians comes first with the given name, followed by the surname, and usually includes the religious name, which is the name given by the priest during baptism. After marriage, most women take their husband's surname. Italians often shake hands with guests in social situations, and when friends and family reunite after a long time, they warmly embrace and perform a face to face ceremony.

3. Catering etiquette. Italian cuisine emphasizes the perfect balance of color, aroma, and taste. White wine is usually paired with seafood, fish, and shrimp dishes, while red wine is paired with meat dishes such as birds and livestock. Italians usually invite guests to dinner in restaurants, and sometimes they also entertain family and friends at home. High end restaurants or popular restaurants generally require advance booking of seats.

Communications Power

The Italian socket plug has three straight holes, thinner than the European standard, with a grounding pin in the middle hole. If high-power appliances are not used, only two holes can be used, with a voltage of 220V.

The three major mobile operators in Italy are Tim Vodafone、Windtre， Suitable for 5G/4G/3G/2G networks, most hotels provide wireless WIFI.

contact information