Italy's visa requirements explained

If you’re travelling or moving to Italy anytime soon, you might need to apply for a visa.

With different rules and required documents depending on the type of visa and the consulate handling your case, applications can quickly feel overwhelming.

That’s why we’re here to lend a helping hand and guide you through the process.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• The standard documents required for an Italian visa

• Extra paperwork based on the type of visa you’re applying for

• Special rules for minors

• Information about biometric data, visa fees, and legalisation of documents

• And some practical tips to make your application smoother

By the end, you’ll know exactly what Italy expects from your visa application and how to prepare with confidence.

Let’s get to it!

Types of visa in Italy

First, it’s essential to determine whether you require a visa and, if so, which type to apply for.

If you’re a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you’re free to travel, work, and live in Italy visa-free.

Some non-European countries are also visa-exempt for short stays in the Schengen area. You can find the full list of these countries on the European Commission's website.

For other nationalities, you’ll need to apply for a visa.

Short-stay Schengen visas are for those travelling to Italy (or any other Schengen country) for 90 days or less, within a 180-day period. This type of visa is most popular for tourism and business conferences.

If you plan to move to Italy for a longer period, you’ll need a long-stay visa.

There are several types of long-stay visas. Which one you’ll have to apply for depends on why you’re travelling.

Here’s a basic run-down:

• Work visas are for anyone looking to work in Italy, and are issued under Italy’s annual quota system (decreto flussi). Delays are common due to limited quotas, so applying early is key.
• Student visas are for students enrolled in a registered Italian university. With the right documentation, processing of student visas is often faster than other long-stay visas.
• Family reunification visas are for anyone joining family in Italy (e.g., spouses, children…). These often take the longest to process, as approval must come from the immigration office in Italy.
• Elective residence visas are for those with substantial passive income,such as pensions, investments, or savings.
• Researcher and investor visas are for higher-level researchers and investors respectively. These are relatively rare, but becoming more common.

Almost all of these long-stay visa types require additional supporting documentation, beyond the Schengen standard.

Many also require a nulla osta (pre-clearance) from Italian authorities before the consulate can process your application.

Learn more about the Italian visa application process.

Required documents for an Italian visa

No matter which visa you’re applying for, or how long you’re staying, there are a number of key documents that you’ll almost definitely have to provide.

You’ll need:

• Visa application form: Italy has one visa form which applies to both Schengen long-stay visas. You’ll find this on your Italian consulate’s website or from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Passport: Must be issued in the past 10 years, be valid at least 3 months beyond your planned stay, and have two blank pages for the visa to be placed in.
• Health insurance: Covering a minimum of €30,000 across the entire Schengen area. Feather’s expat health insurance policy fullfills all visa requirements.
• Financial proof: Bank statements or sponsorship letters show you can afford your stay.
• Travel itinerary: You won’t need a purchased ticket, but you will need to show flight details. We recommend avoiding non-refundable bookings, in case your visa is delayed or rejected.
• Accommodation details: Hotel bookings, rental agreements, or a hospitality declaration (dichiarazione di ospitalità) if staying with friends or family.
• Passport-style photos: 35x45mm, taken against a plain light background and with a neutral facial expression

For detailed and up-to-date guidance, check your consulate’s website and official resources like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa portal.

Additional documents

On top of the standard checklist, you may need to provide additional documentation depending on your situation and the type of visa you’re applying for.

Here’s a list of visa types, with the extra documentation you’ll need to submit:

• Work visas: An employment contract issued by an Italian employer.
• Student visas: Confirmation of enrolment at a registered Italian university.
• Family reunification visas: Evidence of family connection (for example, birth or marriage certificates), and the host’s Italian passport or residency permit.
• Elective residence visa: Proof of steady, reliable income at the level Italy considers sufficient (often over €30,000 per year).
• Researcher and investor visas: Proof of project funding or significant financial investment.

Italian authorities also often ask for employment-related documents to prove financial stability and ties to your home country.

These include:

• Employees: A recent employment contract, a letter from your employer confirming leave, and recent payslips (3 months).
• Freelancers, digital nomads, and self-employed: Tax returns, business registration, invoices, or client contracts.
• Unemployed applicants: Proof of financial sponsorship from family or a partner is usually required.

Proof of financial security is extremely important when applying for an Italian visa and is often the reason for rejections or delays.

To prevent any unwanted mishaps, we recommend providing bank statements from the past 3-6 months (rather than a single balance snapshot) and including notarized tax filings if available.

The clearer your financial story, the smoother your visa process. Consulates don’t expect perfection, just credible proof that you can support yourself and plan to return home.

Visa requirements for minors

Applying for a visa for a minor involves additional steps. These are put in place to make sure children are safe and secure, and are treated very seriously.

Here’s what’s usually required:

• A parental consent letter signed by both parents, granting permission for the trip. Some consulates demand notarization and even an apostille for validity.

• The child’s birth certificate, confirming the relationship between the child and parents. It may need translation if not in Italian.

• Passport copies of parents/guardians, to verify identity and signatures on the consent form.

• Proof of custody. In cases of divorce or joint custody, you’ll need official custody agreements. If only one parent has full custody, the court order must be provided.

Consular staff may also ask for a death certificate if one parent is deceased, or recent court rulings if custody disputes are currently ongoing.

Some details may differ between consulates, so it’s best to check official FAQs.

For complex cases, immigration lawyers often publish examples of how families navigated these requirements, which can help you plan ahead and avoid surprises.

Visa fees

No matter which visa you’re applying for, you’ll also have to pay a fee.

Visa fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied, so make sure you’ve got everything in order before submitting the final application!

For Schengen visas, prices are €80 for adults and €40 for children aged 6-12 years old. No fees are required for children under 6 years old.

Long-stay visas, on the other hand, are usually more expensive. Exact amounts depend on the type of visa, and where you’re applying from.

Payment methods also differ by location. Some embassies/consulates may only take cash, whilst others will accept card or bank transfers.

Due to these slight differences, we always recommend checking details with your local embassy or consulate beforehand.

Biometric data

As part of your application process, you’ll also need to provide biometric data, including a digital photo and your fingerprints.

This is done on-site and usually takes only a few minutes.

Fingerprints are stored in the Schengen Visa Information System (VIS) and remain valid for 5 years, so you won’t have to provide them again if you reapply.

Certain individuals, including diplomats, government officials, and children under 12 years old, are exempt from providing fingerprint data.

Frequently asked questions

Should documents be originals or are scans accepted?

Consulates usually require original documents at your appointment. Some allow scanned or printed copies for supporting evidence, but these rarely replace originals.

If a document is notarized, legalized, or apostilled, it must always be the original.

What language should documents be in? Do they need sworn translations?

Most foreign documents used for an Italian visa need an official Italian translation (traduzione giurata).

This applies to civil records like birth or marriage certificates, and sometimes to financial documents such as bank statements.

Ordinary translations are not enough, as they must be done by translators recognized by the Italian courts or consulate.

What if my passport is expiring soon?

Schengen rules are strict, your passport must be valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure.

If your passport expires soon, it’s a good idea to renew it before applying.

Where should I apply?

Schengen rules state that you must apply in the country where you legally reside.

There are narrow exceptions, but tourist applicants can’t just apply from wherever they’re traveling.

How do I prove accommodation if I’m staying with friends/family?

If you’re not booking hotels, you’ll usually need a dichiarazione di ospitalità (hospitality declaration).

Your host in Italy fills out and signs this form, then submits it to the local police station to certify that you’ll be staying with them. Consulates require both the form and a copy of your host’s ID or residence permit.

What if I’m traveling to multiple Schengen countries?

The Schengen system follows the main destination rule. You should apply to the consulate of the country where you’ll spend the most days.

If your trip is evenly split, then apply to the consulate of the country you’ll enter first.

How long does it take to process an Italian visa?

For Schengen short-stay visas, the standard processing time is 15 calendar days. In complex cases, consulates can extend this up to 45 days.

National long-stay visas often take longer. A student visa may take a few weeks, while family reunification can stretch to several months.

Consulates regularly warn about seasonal delays (summer and Christmas are especially busy), and recommend applying as early as 12 weeks before travel.

Checking your local consulate’s notices is the best way to get a realistic timeline.