The European Commission defines a Schengen visa as an entry permit for certain non-EU nationals to make a short, temporary visit of up to 90 days in any 180-day period to a country in the Schengen area.
The Schengen area encompasses 25 European Union countries, including Italy, as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Romania.
Who needs a Schengen visa?
You may or may not need a Schengen visa to visit Italy. It depends primarily on your nationality.
Citizens of the following countries need a Schengen visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Belarus, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Fiji, Philippines, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Jamaica, Djibouti, Jordan, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Myanmar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Rwanda, Russia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Syria, Somalia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Suriname, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
However, there are exceptions. If you're from one of these countries but hold a valid residency permit from an EU country, you generally do not need a Schengen visa to enter Italy.
Citizens of countries including the US, the UK, Uruguay, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, Canada and Australia are exempt from the visa requirements for short stays. You can find the full list of visa-exempt countries here.
READ ALSO: Five things to know about Italy’s golden visa
Generally, it's your nationality, rather than your country of residency, that determines whether you need a visa, unless you're living in the EU. For example, if you have residency in the UK, but you're from Ghana, you will still need a Schengen visa to visit Italy.
Types of visas and how to apply
There are four types of visas: a visa valid for the entire Schengen area for maximum 90 days, a visa valid only for one Schengen state under exceptional circumstances, an airport transit visa if you’re just changing planes in a Schengen country, and a long-term visa valid for over 90 days and allowing multiple entries.
If you need a visa, you will generally need to apply at a consulate where you are legally resident.
If you are visiting only Italy, you will apply at the Italian consulate in your city or the one nearest to you.
If you are visiting several countries in the Schengen area, you will apply at the consulate of the country you are visiting first or the one where you are spending the most time.
READ ALSO: Digital nomad visa: How does Italy's income requirement compare?
How much does a Schengen visa cost?
Generally, the costs are as follows:
- €90 for adults (visa for maximum 90 days)
- €35 reduced tariff depending on the country (visa for maximum 90 days)
- €45 for children aged 6-12 (visa for maximum 90 days)
- Free for children under 6 years old
What do I need to apply?
- A valid passport, whose validity has to exceed that of your departure from the Schengen area by at least three months
- A completed visa application form
- A recent passport-size, colour photo
- Medical insurance covering the costs of repatriation for medical reasons or death, as well as for urgent healthcare and/or emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay in Italy and the Schengen area. Coverage must be of at least €30,000.
- Supporting documents – Those who apply for a visa have to include information on the reason for their trip, the means of transport and return, financial means to support themselves during the trip and accommodation during their stay.
When you submit an application, your fingerprints will also be collected.
READ ALSO: Which nationalities get the most EU Blue Cards and where do they go?
How much money do I need for a Schengen visa?
According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, applicants need a minimum of €269.60 per person for trips lasting between one and five days, €44.93 per person per day for trips between six and 10 days, €51.64 for trips between 11 and 20 days, or €206.58 in total per person for trips over 20 days.
What do I need to show the border guards upon arrival in Italy?
If approved, you may need to provide extra information at the border when entering Italy – not just your visa.
This could include confirmed hotel bookings, an official letter of invitation from someone living in Italy, bank statements, a travel itinerary or the purpose of your trip.