Last Updated
Recently edited and updated for 2021 travel!
American travelers might be able to take that trip to Italy after all, but it’s going to take a few extra steps.
Ever since Italy reopened to select nations back in June 2020, American travelers have been writing into us asking how they can still enter the country, as most EU nations have banned Americans from entering at this time.
We have been receiving thousands of emails and comments to the tune of: “If I am an American resident/citizen who has spent the last 14 days in a ‘safe/approved’ country, can I enter Italy?”
The question was one we couldn’t officially answer, until now.
Italy was very clear in the beginning that they were only accepting tourists that were both residents of an approved country, coming from an approved country, of which the USA was not either. (What we call a ‘Residency + Location’ requirement.)
However, new protocols and entry requirements have been released by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that outline American citizens/residents MAY be able to enter Italy, as long as they have spent the last 14 days in an approved nation first.
**However, before we dive into the details we want to preface that these regulations could change at any time, and any American who has spent the last 14 days in an ‘approved’ nation for visiting Italy should still perform due diligence before crossing the border. All travelers should be contacting Italian border police, the Italian consulate, or other local authorities before their trip to confirm their specific entry requirements.
Italian Covid-19 Survey Tool
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently launched an online tool, called the ‘Covid-19 Survey' that helps determine one’s entry into the country. You simply put which countries you have physically been in for the last 14 days, answer some residency questions, and it provides entry rules/requirements for your situation.
The survey tool, provided by the government of Italy themselves, has indeed confirmed that visitors who have spent the last 14 days in an approved nation, regardless of residency/nationality, may be eligible for entry into Italy. This of course includes American tourists.
The issue for American travelers is this:
Most of the ‘approved’ countries for entry into Italy are other EU nations that also have a travel ban posted for American residents entering, like Spain, France and Austria for example.
Here is the full list of countries that after spending 14 days in, an American traveler is allowed to travel to Italy:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Iceland
- Israel
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
The good news:
There are 4 nations on the list of ‘approved’ countries above where Americans are able to travel right now, and after spending 14 days in one of these 4 nations, are now eligible to enter Italy.
The 4 countries Americans can currently enter are:
- Croatia
- Ireland
- Greece
- United Kingdom
After spending 14 days in one of those 4 nations, the government’s Covid-19 Survey Tool reports American tourists are indeed allowed to travel to Italy.
Entering Croatia, Ireland or UK as an American Tourist
Each of the 4 nations that American travelers can travel to right now have their own entry requirements. (click on the country’s name for a full list of entry requirements)
Croatia: Americans will either need a 48-hour negative PCR test, proof of recovery, or proof of vaccination to enter. No quarantine.
Ireland: Requires Americans to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in a hotel.
Greece: Just like Croatia, Americans can bring a negative PCR test, proof of recovery, or proof of vaccination to enter Greece. No quarantine.
United Kingdom: USA is on the ‘Amber' list for the UK. Those traveling from Amber nations will have a 10-day quarantine, with the option of ‘testing to release’ at day 5. They will also have a pre-departure test, test on arrival, and either their test to release on day 5, or test on day 8 if they prefer to stay in isolation the entire 10-days.
Going to Italy
Entering Italy from Ireland, Greece, Croatia or UK
Once spending 14 days in either Ireland, Greece, Croatia or the UK, American tourists in most cases may enter Italy.
- You must fill out a mandatory self-declaration form. The self-declaration must be shown to the carrier on boarding and to any other person responsible for checking it.”
- You must bring proof of a negative Antigen or PCR test, taken within 48-hours of arrival.
Important Fine Print
While Italy is saying tourists can enter as long as they have been in an ‘approved’ nation for the past 14 days, they do cover themselves for errors with a lengthy disclaimer.
Disclaimer from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about their online ‘Covid-19 Survey Tool’ reads:
“Disclaimer – Read Carefully
The following questionnaire has the sole purpose of providing users with general information on current rules related to travel to/from Italy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation does not retain in any way the information provided by answering each question. The questionnaire is anonymous.
The result of the questionnaire does not guarantee entry into the Country, which remains subject to the assessment of Italian Border Officers (Ministry of Interior). The questionnaire has no legal value.
We recommend that you keep yourself informed on current rules and regulations before embarking on a trip. Should you need any further clarification, kindly contact Border Officers at your designated entry point, Italian “Prefettura” or “Dipartimento di Prevenzione” of the local Health Authority (Azienda Sanitaria) at your destination.
During your stay in Italy, should any flu-like symptoms compatible with COVID-19 arise, you must report it immediately to the local Health Authority, by calling dedicated local numbers. While waiting for further Health Authority decisions.”
To summarize the disclaimer: You still could be denied entry if border police says so.
Important Contact Information
Here is a list of all Italian border police contacts (phone numbers and emails) for all the areas of Italy. You should contact them before entry to ensure a smooth travel day!
Has this worked in practice?
Have we mentioned before we have the best readers on the planet? Our readers who are on-the-ground send us in many tips and their own travel itineraries and we’ve been seeing an influx in American tourists arriving into Italy after spending 14 days in an approved nation. There are many posts from American travelers inside our Travel Off Path Facebook Community Group that have been answering questions about their recent entry into Italy.
Options To Italy Directly From The USA
Currently, both Delta and American Airlines are offering American tourists a way to get to Italy directly, without having to spend 14-days in a EU nation.
Quarantine-Free Flights
AA says: “American Airlines has offered customers quarantine-free flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Milan (MXP) since April 2 and on flights from JFK to Rome (FCO) as of May 8. With the recent change in Italy’s travel restrictions, any customers, whether traveling for leisure or essential business, are eligible to fly on American’s flights from New York to Italy starting May 16.
Prior to travel, customers will need to provide proof of the required negative COVID-19 test and also upon arrival in Milan or Rome. After taking a second test at the airport producing a negative result, travelers will not need to quarantine in Italy.”
These are a great option to go directly to Italy, without having a European layover.
More options coming soon…
On May 15, Italy’s Prime Minister revealed that his country would be changing the entry requirements for travelers from North America, meaning that the stunning country could be the latest to join a fast-growing list of countries accepting American travelers.
Read More: Read all of Italy's Entry Requirements. See which countries have reopened for American Tourists, what companies are offering travel insurance that covers covid, and what countries are open with NO testing or quarantines
Sources: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Disclaimer: Italy’s reopening news is ever-changing and being updated constantly. We do our best to keep this article up to date with all the latest information, but the decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Traveling, especially in regards to ‘loophole' travel during the pandemic, has its own risks. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories.
↓ Join the community ↓
The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A's happening daily!
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Originally published September 25, 2020 with updates made for 2021 travel rules
Christian
Thursday 8th of July 2021
Hello, do you know if American tourists can enter Italy from Croatia now that the EU green pass has been released? (I haven't found a way to get the EU green pass)
Kashlee Kucheran
Thursday 8th of July 2021
American tourists are welcome in Italy. Coming from the US, Croatia, or any other approved nation :) This news article is 2 months old, but our Italy Entry Guide is updated frequently (Click HERE to read)
D
Sunday 2nd of May 2021
Do you happen to know is this is still relevant for all nationalities? I’ll be in Corfu from 6/1-6/18 and ferries are currently suspended to Sarandë, Albania but are actually still running to Bari, Italy from Corfu with the same line.
D
Sunday 2nd of May 2021
@Kashlee Kucheran, thanks so much, I didn’t see it. It seems to say entry is possible. Thanks!
Kashlee Kucheran
Sunday 2nd of May 2021
I would just refer you to go to the online questionnaire we link to in this article, put in your details, and it will show the current rules and what to expect.
Savannah
Tuesday 2nd of March 2021
Hi, are there any updates as of March 2021? I am interested in possibly doing this in May, but am unsure if Italy is still allowing this. Thanks!
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 3rd of March 2021
Currently, the loophole for Italy as explained in this article is virtually closed, so I can't advise on what to do this month. Europe as a whole should be opening up in late spring, early summer
Tami
Tuesday 5th of January 2021
Any changes or updates as of Jan 2021? Is Croatia and Ireland still on the list of “pass-through” countries? So appreciate what you do! Thank you!
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 5th of January 2021
Hi Tami - We haven't updated this article in a few weeks because truth be told, Italy (and the countries like Ireland where you would access Italy from) are all under lockdown. In all honesty, we can't currently promote loopholes when everything is so tightly restricted at the moment. We will look into this passage again at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb, when hopefully everything will be more relaxed.
brithox
Monday 28th of December 2020
Were you able to confirm whether the Dec 1 Croatian restrictions on American tourism have been implemented? I've been hoping to find someone with relevant firsthand experience, or other anecdotes. We had expected to visit Italy in April so I am anxiously awaiting word on whether I should book a trip to Croatia for late March.
Kashlee Kucheran
Tuesday 29th of December 2020
We are still having the world's most mixed messages from our travellers on the ground. Some report still getting in, others report not getting in. It's not a cut and dry answer at this moment. march is still a very long time away in 'covid' time, so I would wait until Feb to see what the situation is then