Beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage make Italy one of the most visited countries in the world, however, for some visitors a tourist visa is required before going there. However, it is not difficult to apply for an Italy tourist visa for those who are considering a vacation or vacation in a city in one of the greatest countries in Europe.

In this article below, we will explain the main steps for obtaining an Italy tourist visa.

Preparations before traveling to Italy

Foreign nationals who wish to travel to Italy for short periods must prepare in advance. The first thing to do is to check if they need to apply for an Italy tourist visa before leaving their home countries. If EU citizens do not need to apply for any type of visa, non-EU and non-EEA citizens should check the type of visas they need.

For non-EU citizens, they can apply for an Italy Tourist Visa if they need to travel for short periods to Italy. Depending on their country of residence, it is possible to request other documents when applying for an Italian tourist visa.


EU citizens visiting Italy

For citizens of the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA), there is no need to apply for an Italy Tourist Visa. They enter Italy on the basis of their identity documents or passports which do not require any stamp or sticker representing the visa. Italy is also a member of the Schengen area which means that all citizens coming from other member states also have the right to travel to Italy for free.

Non-EU citizens visiting Italy

For nationals of countries outside the European Union and countries outside the European Economic Area, visiting Italy requires tourist visas. They must be obtained from the Italian embassy or consulate in their countries of origin, however the procedure is not complicated or lengthy.

The main documents required to obtain a tourist visa for Italy are:


  • The visa application form that usually comes in an online form.
  • Valid passport – a period of validity of 6 months is usually required in order for the visa to be issued.
  • Proof of accommodation must be provided in the form of a hotel reservation.
  • The flight ticket which will contain the flight number and the date of departure and return.
  • Travel insurance and proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the visit.

In some cases, a visit itinerary may be required. In it, the tourist must also provide information about the places the person will visit and whether these places are located in another Schengen country. For those traveling as part of an organized tour, a letter from the tour operator will be required.

It is also possible to apply for an Italy Tourist Visa to go there and see family or friends, which is why for citizens who are visiting for this purpose, a letter or invitation to visit will be required.

An important aspect to consider for non-EU citizens with Schengen visas is that they do not need to apply for another visa when going to Italy for tourism.

Steps to apply for an Italian tourist visa

Citizens who need to apply for an Italy tourist visa need to think about some important procedures. Among these, the application procedure should start no later than two weeks before travel, however, we advise to apply for the required visa once the flight is booked. This is because the visa processing time varies by country.

The steps that will be completed when applying for a tourist visa for Italy consist of:


  • Book an appointment and complete the application form.
  • Prepare the required documents for the visa (you must make sure that all the documents are ready so as not to delay the issuance of the visa).
  • Submit the application form and documents to the Italian Embassy or Consulate.
  • Participate in the interview and pay the visa fee.
  • Receipt of the passport after the visa is issued.

Tourist Schengen Visa for Italy

As mentioned above, a Schengen visa can also be used to travel to Italy as the country is a Schengen area. This aspect offers a lot of advantages especially for non-EU citizens who reside in one of these countries and want to go to Italy.

When applying for an Italy Tourist Visa as a Schengen resident one must submit additional documents including a bank statement which must indicate the applicant's financial status for the past six months, the travel itinerary, and evidence of how the trip will be financed.


Travel to Italy as part of organized tours

A large percentage of foreign nationals who go to Italy on tourist visas prefer organized tours. This option has the advantage of getting travel-related documents faster, as the organizer can partly or fully handle the process. In some cases, the tour operator can handle the tourist visa application procedure.

When traveling to Italy with an organized tour, the visitor must obtain certain information from the travel agency, such as the flight ticket number and itinerary.

The procedure for traveling to Italy on a tourist visa has been simplified and the procedure can be completed in a matter of days, however, it is useful to know that one must start the process early in order to cover all aspects.

Insurance requirements when seeking an Italy tourist visa

One of the main requirements associated with obtaining an Italian tourist visa is to have health insurance. However, tourists can also apply for travel insurance if they want additional protection in case of accidents or other unforeseen situations. Travel insurance is a good option for those who engage in various sports, as well as to recover the amount of money paid for the vacation in case they are not able to travel anymore.

With regard to compulsory health insurance, the minimum services it can cover must be EUR 30,000. This requirement is available throughout the Schengen area. Speaking of which, foreign nationals can also go to Italy based on their Schengen visa if they are residing in the member states.

Money to stay in Italy

Depending on the length of stay, foreign nationals coming to Italy on tourist visas must provide proof of sufficient funds. For those who want to stay in Italy for no more than 5 days, about 270 euros will suffice. For those who plan to stay for at least 10 days, the minimum amount of money to be secured per day is €45, while for periods longer than 11 days but not more than 20 days, foreign nationals must dispose of at least €52 per day. today.

Can the tourist visa be used for other purposes?

Even if the main purpose of the Italian tourist visa is travel, it is useful to know that non-EU citizens can also use this type of visa to come here for business reasons. This means that if a non-EU citizen is planning to start a business or is in the process of setting up a company and needs to travel to Italy for various official procedures, the tourist visa can be used to enter the country.

In this case, supporting documents must be prepared.

The tourism sector in Italy

Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in Italy, which is why there are many agencies that promote it. According to the latest statistics published by statista.com:


  • Italy is the fifth most visited country in the world and the third international tourist attraction in Europe.
  • In 2018, there were 94 million international tourists in Italy.
  • Of the 94 million, 1.8 million were American citizens housed in Rome.
  • In 2019, Venice was one of the most visited cities in Italy with 4.77 million tourists.