Traveling to Italy just got a lot easier. Vaccinated travelers will no longer have to test for COVID-19 before entering the country.
New Protocols
The new rules went into effect on March 1, 2022. All you have to do is show that you are completely vaccinated within the last 9 months. If you were vaccinated more than 9 months ago, you can provide proof that you recently received a booster shot. Unvaccinated travelers must still show proof of a negative COVID test before entering Italy. The country accepts PCR tests taken within 72 hours of arrival or a rapid test taken within 48 hours. Alternatively, you can show that you recovered from COVID-19 within the last 6 months.
All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must fill out a Passenger Location Form, which helps with contact tracing should you become ill during your trip. Travelers who do not fill out this form will be required to quarantine for 5 days once they enter Italy.
Once you are in Italy, you must get a “Super Green Pass” to stay at hotels, take trains, or eat at restaurants. The pass is digital proof that you are either vaccinated or have recovered from COVID recently.
European Union
Italy is the latest country in the European Union to ease COVID-19 entry protocols. In February 2022, France and Iceland both let up on their travel restrictions. More EU countries are expected to follow suit after the European Council voted to lift pre-arrival testing for vaccinated travelers. Many of the European Union countries, including Italy, remain on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Level 4 destination list. This means the CDC is warning Americans from traveling there due to high virus and transmission levels.