Covid-19

Entry into Italy: Covid-19 green certificates, equivalents and exceptions

Fulfilments for entry to Italy

The rules for entry into Italy have been updated and simplified. The Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza, has signed a new order extending the provisions for arrivals from foreign countries to 31 May. The only change concerns the Passenger Locator Form, which from 1 May will no longer be necessary.

From 1 May, regardless of the country of entry into Italy, the traveller will be required to present to the carrier and to whoever is in charge of checking:

• the COVID-19 Green Certificate or other equivalent certificate which must state one of the following conditions:

• completion of the primary vaccination series or booster dose according to the vaccination plans of the countries of release with vaccines authorized by the European Medical Agency (primary series validity 9 months and booster dose without predefined limit) 
• recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection (valid for 180 days from positive swab test)
• recovery after the administration of the first dose of vaccine or at the end of the primary vaccination series or following the administration of the relevant booster dose
• rapid antigen or molecular swab test, respectively within 48 or 72 hours before entry into Italy.

Covid-19 green certificates of successful vaccination are accepted in one of the following languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish or German. If submitted in another language, they must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Italian. Foreign certifications of recovery must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Italian. See: circular letter July 30, 2021 and  circular letter September 23,2021.

Entry into Italy with compulsory fiduciary isolation (5 days)

Without prejudice to the obligation to complete the PLF, if the Traveller does not submit any of the aforementioned certificates, he/she must undergo a 5-day quarantine period at the address indicated to the competent authorities and an antigen or molecular test by means of a nasal/oropharyngeal/rhino-pharyngeal swab at the end of this quarantine period. In addition, travellers will be required to communicate their entry to the Local Health Authority of competence for subsequent treatment.

Authorized or equivalent vaccines 

It should also be noted that the certification regarding the completion of the vaccination series must refer to one of the vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency:

• Pfizer-BioNtech Comirnaty
• Moderna
• Vaxzevria
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
• Nuvaxovid (Novavax)  
• or to vaccines considered equivalent by the Italian legislation (Covishield, Fiocruz, R-Covi). See the circular Equivalence of anti SARS-CoV-2/COVID vaccines administered abroad) 

Minors

All children under 6 years of age entering Italy are always exempt from the pre-departure swab; they are also exempt from the fiduciary isolation if the accompanying parent with whom they are travelling is not subject to this obligation.

All minors aged 6 years or older in possession of a green Covid-19 certificate of completion of a vaccination series with an Ema-authorised or equivalent vaccine or of successful recovery follow the rules for adults 

Exemptions 

Provided that no COVID-19 symptoms occur the COVID-19, Green certification from vaccination or recovery and the pre-departure swab may be excepted to:

• transport crew members
• onboard transport staff
• cross-border workers entering and leaving Italy for proven reasons of work and for the subsequent return journey home of to their place of residence
• pupils and students for the purpose of attending a course of study in a country other than the country of residence, domicile or stay, to which they return daily or at least once a week
• anyone using private means to transit through the Italian territory for a period not exceeding thirty-six hours, with the obligation, on expiry of said term, either to immediately leave the country or to start a 5-day period of quarantine at the address indicated to the competent authorities at the end of that period, to take a molecular or antigen swab test
• anyone returning to the country following a stay of no more than forty-eight hours in foreign locations no more than 60 km away from one's place of residence, domicile or home, as long as it takes place by means of a private vehicle
• in the event of a stay of no more than forty-eight hours in locations inside the country no more than 60 km away from one's foreign place of residence, domicile or home, as long as it takes place by means of a private vehicle

The provisions shall remain in force until 31 May 2022.