[Article last updated on June 12, 2020]

Italy’s lockdown eases little by little and June 3rd, 2020, has marked an important step forward. Now people can move with no restrictions from one Italian region to another, but also its national borders are now open to some tourists.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about travelling to Italy after June 3rd answered.

But always note that even if this is the current situation, things may change depending on the new decisions taken by governments due to the level of contagion around the world.

Who can travel to Italy?

Since June 3rd Italy allows you to enter the country with no restrictions if you come from E.U./Schengen area countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland. But also if you are from UK and northern Ireland, Monaco and Andorra, Vatican City and San Marino.

“Obviously we are referring to the Italian law. – highlights the Italian Lawyer Alessandro Clemente specialized in Real Estate transactions both for foreigners and companies willing to buy property in Italy – This means that, even if you come from one of these areas and Italy allows you to enter, on the other hand you should also check if your own country allows you to go abroad and to Italy in particular. In fact, not all European countries have reopened its borders yet. And also if your nation could require you to quarantine yourself or not upon return.”

“For instance – he continues – Greece will reopen gradually its borders with Italy only from June 15th.”

Those arriving in Italy won’t have to undergo the 14-day self-quarantine anymore unless they’ve been in countries different from those stated above in the 14 days prior to entry into Italy. For example, a person who enters Italy from France on June 14 will be subject to trustee isolation if he or she entered France from the United States on June 4, but will not be subject to isolation if the transfer from the United States to France took place before May 30 or if he or she stayed in Germany between May 31 and June 13.

At a community level, within EU/Schengen area unrestricted reopening will take place progressively from 15 to 30 June. Each country will regulate it independently with all other countries. So, for instance, even if according to the Italian law, Germans and Swiss could now reach Italy, we know that on their hand Germany and Switzerland reopen with Italy only starting from that date. Also Austria will reopen its border with Italy beginning June 16.

Once in Italy, can I travel throughout Italy without restrictions?

Yes, you have freedom of movement without conditions almost everywhere from one Italian region to another. At the moment there are just a few exceptions:

  1. The Governor of Lazio region, Nicola Zingaretti, has issued a restraining order that prohibits any person who has respiratory symptoms and fever (temperature > 37.5 °C) from moving or entering the territory. The same for Campania.
  2. The Governor of Sardinia, Christian Solinas, has signed an order requiring registration. “All persons who intend to embark on airlines or sea lines bound for Sardinia, regardless of their place of origin and for the sole purpose of monitoring entrys throughout the region, are required to register before boarding using the appropriate form to be completed and sent exclusively by electronic means”. You can find it on the region official website. The same for Puglia and Calabria.

In any case, you must always respect social distancing and sanitary measures. So for example, when in Italy always remember to wear your face mask in public places such as shops, hairdressers and on all public transport, like planes, trains, buses or taxis. Or when you go to the restaurant and whenever you leave your table. Also always clean your hand with the hand sanitizers you’ll find at the entrance of every shop, bank, etc. before entering.

If required, the entrance to some places could also be subject to temperature measurement. An example is Trenitalia that has announced that body temperature will be detected. In many cases, as for hairdressers and beaches, the reservation is still required.

What if you come from another country?

People coming from all other destinations (basically extra EU) won’t be able until July 1st to enter Italy. This is when EU will open its borders to some non EU countries, those where the epidemiological situation appears to be under control.

But even in this case, this doesn’t mean that your country allows you to travel to Italy or travel with no restrictions. “For example – claims solicitor Alessandro Clemente – South Africa, which is still on local travel lockdown, plans to reopen only starting from September. Over 65 years old people are banned from aircraft until further notice.”

In any case you can always reach Italy for proven work requirements, absolute urgency or health reasons.

What if I transit through other European countries to reach Italy?

“When driving through other countries in your journey to Italy, officials can ask you for transit docs during borders control – says solicitor Alessandro Clemente – which could consist basically in a self-declaration form for travel. But I recommend to check the official websites of the Ministry of Health and/or the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for detailed info about the country/s you’re going to cross.”