The Italian Green Pass and How You Can Travel to Italy Right Now

You’ve heard the exciting news and we’re here to confirm it- Italy is open for tourism and we’re waiting with open, adventurous arms for you. But what are the Covid-19 restrictions and requirements to enter Italy and how can you experience la dolce vita this summer and fall?

Below we answer your questions about tourism in Italy right now, and outline the steps you will need to take in preparation for your upcoming visit. With that being said, the news can change quickly, so check back frequently for updates and be in tune to your country’s specifics.

** See the end of the article for an update since the Green Pass has been enforced**

Andiamo! (let’s go!)

What is required to enter Italy?

Green Pass, EU Health Pass, Digital Covid Certificate, tomato, tomato.

There are a lot of names for these certificates and a lot of conflicting information out there. Let’s break it down so you can start your Italian dream vacation with ease.

From August 6th, Italy will be requiring a Green Pass, or Covid Vaccine Certificate, from residents and travelers 12 and up to participate in various activities and services. These activities include indoor seating at restaurants and bars, museums, gyms, sporting events, bingo halls, swimming pools, spas and wellness centers, cinemas, and festivals. You do not need the certificate for outdoor dining or to have a coffee at the bar counter as is traditional in Italy.

The good news is that Italy accepts the EU digital Covid certificate that is valid in all EU and Schengen area countries.

The good news doesn’t stop there. Italy has announced that certificates will be recognized by five countries outside the EU, as well. Those countries are:

United States
Canada
Israel
Japan
United Kingdom

With these certificates, you are no longer required to do the 10 day quarantine. Cheers to more time for pizza, pasta, gelato, and wine!

However, travelers coming from the UK are still required to do a 5 day quarantine, regardless of their vaccine status. As of now, there is no news on when this particular restriction will be lifted.

What type of certificate do I need?

This is a fantastic website that, in just a few clicks, will give you the specific entry requirements for your country.

In order to travel without quarantine, travelers will need one of the following certificates:

A vaccine certificate. The current accepted vaccines are Pfizer-BioNtech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca. Be careful with the dates- the date of the final vaccine must be at least 14 days prior to travel.
A Covid recovery certificate stating you’ve recovered no more than 6 months prior to departure.
Proof of a negative PCR or rapid-antigen test no more than 48 hours before arrival.

Non-EU travelers from the USA, Canada, Israel and Japan are able to enter with the Covid vaccine certificate issued from their local health authorities.

For US travelers, the white card you received from the CDC after vaccination is being accepted.

What if I am not vaccinated and don’t plan on doing it?

If you are not fully vaccinated prior to arrival in Italy (remember the 14 day requirement) then you will need to get tested multiple times. This is changing frequently, but as of now you will need to provide a negative Covid-19 test on arrival, be required to do a 10 day quarantine after arrival, and provide a negative Covid-19 test after quarantine.

What to expect while traveling around Italy?

In efforts to categorize the risk from region to region, Italy devised a ranking system based on colors- red, orange, yellow, and white. As of July 30th, 2021, we’re very happy to say that there are no red, orange, or yellow regions- all of Italy is in the white zone. You can find the map of Italy with the zones here.

Well, great. But what does that mean?

In white zones:

Essentially back to ‘normal’
No curfew so restaurants and bars are allowed to stay open late
Face masks are required on all public transport and inside museums, galleries, cinemas, and the theater
Indoor dining is permitted, however masks must be worn until you are seated at your table
Maximum 6 people at a table in restaurants, although this is not always enforced
Social distancing is still required. Some shops will only allow a certain number of people in at once so you are required to wait in a line outside.
Not all museums require advance booking for Covid-19 restrictions, however we still recommend this as it will avoid waiting in line.

Getting tested before leaving Italy

Almost all countries require negative tests to re-enter, and the airports in Rome will also want to see a negative test result. There is an organized testing center at the airport, however nearly all pharmacies in Italy also do the Covid-19 tests. You will see a tent or hut set up in front of the entrance of the pharmacies. The rapid tests are €22 and the molecular PCR tests are €60.

While you may not want to interrupt your vacation for a Covid-19 test, we highly recommend getting the test at a pharmacy prior to leaving for the airport. You will avoid any delays and have a smoother, calmer experience. Some pharmacies close for the afternoon so we recommend doing the test in the morning, evening, or checking the hours ahead of time. Our staff is also able to assist you with this process.

Getting the Green Pass at a pharmacy an update

If you were vaccinated in Italy and don’t automatically receive the code to download your Green Pass from the health authorities, you can go to a pharmacy. With the proof of either one or both doses of the vaccine and your national healthcare card, the pharmacist will be able to print out your Green Pass at no cost.

You can also get the Green Pass from the negative Covid-19 test at the pharmacy. The system is relatively the same at all pharmacies- fill out a form with your basic information, pay at the pharmacy counter, go outside to receive the test, and wait for your results with a link to download the digital version of the Green Pass. It is also recommended to get the hard copy of the pass printed at the pharmacy.

In summary

If you’re an EU citizen, then all EU and Schengen countries accept the same certificate
You will need a certificate (Green Pass in Italy) to be able to attend all events and festivals and sit inside bars and restaurants from August 6. If you’re not an EU citizen, the certificate from your home country will be accepted.
Make sure you carry with Green Pass or similar certificate plus your ID with you at all times while on vacation. You never know when you’ll want to hop inside a place.
If you do not have the vaccine and wish to travel to Italy, you will need negative tests and complete a 10 day quarantine.
Green Passes must be in Italian, English, French or Spanish and can be presented in digital or printed formats.
Travel smarter and safer, not travel less.
This and all information regarding travel now is dynamic and subject to quick changes. In addition to checking your local embassy’s websites, below are some useful sites specific to Italy to keep you ready to go.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Airports of Rome (your airline website is another good place to go up continuously updated information)
- Ministry of Health
- Italy Vacation Specialists
- Download Green Pass (you can use Google Chrome to translate the page into English)