Venice Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Venice follows Italy's visa policy as part of the Schengen Area. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and purpose of visit. For tourism and business stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period, many nationalities enjoy visa-free access.
Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries, and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with freedom of movement rights
Only a valid national ID card or passport is required. No visa or entry stamps needed. Can live and work without additional permits.
Citizens of these countries can enter Italy and the Schengen Area without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits
Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure from Schengen Area. The 90/180-day rule applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Italy. Cannot work on tourist entry.
Starting in 2025, visa-exempt nationals will need ETIAS authorization before traveling to the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 for adults (free for travelers under 18 or over 70)
ETIAS is an authorization, not a visa. Implementation expected in 2025. Does not guarantee entry; final decision made by border officials. Keep a digital or printed copy of ETIAS approval.
Citizens of countries not listed in visa-free categories must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling
Required for citizens of China, India, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt, and many other countries. Must have travel insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage. Provide proof of accommodation, return tickets, and sufficient funds (approximately €50-60 per day).
Arrival Process
The entry process in Venice varies depending on your point of arrival. Most international visitors arrive at Marco Polo Airport, while EU travelers often arrive by train or car with minimal border formalities. The process is generally efficient, though peak tourist seasons (April-October, especially summer months) can see longer queues.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Venice follows EU customs regulations. Travelers arriving from non-EU countries must clear customs, while those arriving from other EU countries generally face no customs controls. Italy distinguishes between goods from EU countries and non-EU countries, with different allowances applying.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illegal drugs - strictly prohibited with severe penalties including imprisonment
- Counterfeit goods - including fake designer items, pirated media, and counterfeit currency
- Weapons and explosives - firearms, ammunition, explosives without proper permits and documentation
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals/plants under CITES regulations (ivory, certain furs, exotic skins, coral)
- Certain food products - meat, dairy, and plant products from non-EU countries (with some exceptions for small quantities)
- Obscene or offensive materials - including child pornography and materials inciting violence or hatred
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only necessary amounts with original packaging and prescription. Controlled substances require special documentation
- Cultural artifacts and antiques - may require export permits from country of origin and import permits for valuable items
- Firearms for sporting purposes - require advance permits from Italian authorities and proper documentation
- Live animals and plants - require health certificates, CITES permits if endangered, and compliance with EU regulations
- Drones - subject to Italian aviation regulations; commercial use requires permits; restricted in many Venice areas
- Large amounts of cash - amounts over €10,000 must be declared (not prohibited but must be reported)
Health Requirements
Italy generally has minimal mandatory health requirements for entry. As an EU country with high healthcare standards, Venice does not require routine vaccinations for most travelers. However, health requirements can change, particularly in response to disease outbreaks or pandemics.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - only if arriving from or having transited through a yellow fever endemic country within 6 days prior to arrival in Italy. Not required for most travelers from Europe, North America, or Asia.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations - ensure you're up-to-date on routine vaccines including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), polio, and annual flu shot
- Hepatitis A - recommended for most travelers, as contamination can occur in food or water
- Hepatitis B - recommended for travelers who may have intimate contact with locals or require medical procedures
- Rabies - only for travelers with extensive outdoor activities or working with animals
Health Insurance
Health insurance with coverage in Italy is mandatory for visa applicants (minimum €30,000 coverage including medical evacuation and repatriation). While not legally required for visa-exempt travelers, comprehensive travel health insurance is strongly recommended. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens should carry their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for access to state healthcare at reduced cost or free. Healthcare in Italy can be expensive for uninsured visitors. Ensure your policy covers COVID-19 related issues, emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation.
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Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (including infants). Children under 18 traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent(s) in English or Italian, stating permission to travel, dates, destination, and accompanying adult details. This is particularly important if the child has a different surname than the accompanying adult. For divorced or separated parents, carry custody documents if traveling without the other parent. EU citizens can use national ID cards for children if their country issues them. Unaccompanied minors require special airline arrangements and documentation.
Pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) from EU countries need: EU pet passport, microchip, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel). Pets from non-EU countries need: ISO-compatible microchip, rabies vaccination certificate, health certificate issued by official veterinarian within 10 days of travel, and rabies antibody test (for some countries). Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial travel. Some breeds of dogs face restrictions. Venice has specific regulations about pets in public spaces—dogs must be leashed and muzzled on public transport. Not all accommodations accept pets. Service animals have different regulations and may be exempt from some restrictions. Birds and other animals have additional requirements; check with Italian authorities.
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens can stay indefinitely but must register with local authorities (Anagrafe) if staying over 3 months and may need to demonstrate sufficient resources. Non-EU citizens cannot extend tourist stays beyond 90 days in 180-day period within Schengen Area. For longer stays, you must apply for appropriate visa before arrival: student visa (for enrolled students), work visa (requires job offer and employer sponsorship), family reunification visa (for joining family members), elective residence visa (for retirees with sufficient income, approximately €31,000+ annually), or other long-stay visa types. These must be applied for at Italian embassy/consulate in your home country. Once in Italy on long-stay visa, you must apply for residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 days of arrival. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and future entry bans to Schengen Area.
Working remotely for a non-Italian employer while on a tourist visa is a gray area legally. Italy introduced a digital nomad visa program that allows remote workers to stay for up to one year if they work for companies outside Italy, earn above a certain threshold (approximately €28,000+ annually), and have health insurance. This requires application before arrival. Standard tourist visas do not permit any work, including remote work, though enforcement is limited. If planning to work remotely for extended periods, investigate the digital nomad visa or other appropriate visa categories. Do not declare intent to work when entering on tourist visa.
Cruise passengers on short shore excursions typically undergo simplified immigration procedures, often handled by the cruise line. Keep your cruise ship ID and passport with you at all times during excursions. If your cruise begins or ends in Venice, you'll go through standard immigration procedures. Non-Schengen cruise passengers visiting multiple Schengen ports typically receive a single Schengen entry stamp at the first port and exit stamp at the last port. The 90/180-day rule still applies. Shore excursion time counts toward your Schengen stay. Venice has restricted large cruise ships from entering the historic center; most now dock at Marghera port.
Students planning to study in Venice for over 90 days need a student visa (type D) applied for before arrival at Italian embassy/consulate. Requirements include: acceptance letter from Italian educational institution, proof of sufficient funds (approximately €460/month), accommodation proof, health insurance, and return ticket or proof of funds for return. Upon arrival, must apply for student residence permit within 8 days. Students from EU/EEA/Swiss countries don't need visa but should register with local authorities if staying over 3 months. Student visas typically allow part-time work (max 20 hours/week during term). Short courses under 90 days may be possible on tourist visa, but check specific requirements.