Know Before You Go to Italy: Money, Driving, Health and Local Laws

Italy strictly enforces the passport rule: a passport ever reported lost or stolen, or an expired one, can lead to denied entry.

At a glance

• Visa: none needed for stays up to 90 days
• Passport validity: at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area, 6 months recommended, 2 blank pages
• Proof at entry: sufficient funds and a return plane ticket
• Currency limit: 10,000 euros on entry and on exit, or equivalent
• Vaccinations: no requirements
• Emergency number: 112

Is Italy safe for travelers?

Italy has a moderate rate of crime. Although there are incidents of theft, violent crimes are rare. Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations and on public transportation, including trains. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching, pickpocketing and car break-ins. Organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate at major tourist destinations, in train stations, bars and cafes. Thieves on motor scooters regularly snatch purses or bags off pedestrians, and resisting can be dangerous.

Never leave baggage unattended in a car, including in a closed trunk. Break-ins of rented vehicles are common throughout the country, so empty the car before you walk away from it. Demonstrations can be unpredictable, so avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Strikes and other work stoppages often affect transportation (airlines, airports, trains and buses). If you’re traveling during a strike, reconfirm your reservations and check with your carrier.

Does your health insurance work in Italy?

U.S. Medicare or Medicaid don’t work abroad. Make sure your insurance plan works abroad. Hospitals and doctors often require payment “up front” prior to service or admission, so check before you leave how your plan reimburses a bill you paid yourself.

The State Department strongly recommends supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. Ambulance services are widely available in Italy.

If you take medication, the Ministry of Health says foreigners can bring up to 30 days’ worth of personal medications into Italy. Bring a copy of your prescription.

Can you drive in Italy with a U.S. license?

Seat belt use is mandatory. When driving outside of cities, you must always use headlights. In autumn and winter, you must have winter tires or snow chains on certain roads, especially in mountainous regions. Ask the rental company about this if you plan to head for the mountains.

Authorities fine drivers without the proper permits in historic downtown areas of cities and towns across Italy. Cameras take pictures of license plates, and the fines are sent to the driver’s home in the United States. Ask your hotel about the permit rules before driving into an old center.

Rural roads are generally narrow and often have no guardrails. Drivers often pass on the autostrada at high speeds. If authorities stop you driving a car registered abroad, you may have to pay the ticket immediately, so carry some cash in local currency.

Which local laws surprise visitors in Italy?

Tourists can be fined or detained for buying counterfeit goods (usually fashion accessories), defacing historic monuments, and using aerial drones. Many cities have rules for fountains and monuments that ban eating, drinking, sitting, or bathing. There are also restrictions on drinking alcohol after certain hours.

Before boarding a train, bus or metro, you must validate your ticket at a machine (usually near the entrance). If you don’t, an inspector may fine you. If you don’t pay right away, the fine will double and be sent to your home address. Tickets are sold at tobacco stores, kiosks, or through apps or SMS, and some buses and trams accept contactless bank cards on board.

What are the emergency numbers in Italy?

• All emergencies (free, no prefix): 112
• State Police (accidents, thefts): 113
• Fire brigade (fires, weather emergencies): 115
• Medical emergencies (also mountain or cave rescue): 118
• Roadside assistance, Automobile Club d’Italia, all hours: 803.116
• U.S. Embassy Rome, Via Vittorio Veneto, 121, 00187 Rome, main and after-hours emergency: +39-06-4674-1