Entry into Italy

Entry requirements for EU citizens
For a tourist stay of up to three months, a (temporary) passport or a (temporary) identity card or a child’s passport is sufficient for entry into Italy. The identity documents must not have expired for more than twelve months - a provisional identity card must not have expired at all. When travelling further by ferry from Italian ports, each passenger - including children of any age - must be able to present a valid travel document. Persons under the age of 15 travelling alone should have an officially certified declaration of consent from their parents/guardians with them - this is not mandatory, however.

Entry of pets into Italy

Dogs and cats that are younger than 15 weeks and have not yet been vaccinated against rabies are not allowed to travel. Otherwise, you need the EU pet passport for dogs, among other things with a veterinary confirmation of the rabies vaccination, which must be at least 21 days old, and a microchip. If you are travelling to Italy from certain non-EU countries such as Albania or Montenegro, you must also provide proof of a rabies antibody test. A muzzle and a leash no longer than 1.5 meters must also be carried and sometimes put on, for example, on public transport. In general, the leash and muzzle requirements in Italy are regulated differently in each region or municipality, so you should always inquire locally at your travel destination. Cats also need a microchip or a tattoo that is clearly legible and was done before 7/11/2011. In total, the number of five pets per person may not be exceeded. Otherwise, separate rules apply to trade in animals.

Information on tolls in Italy

Tolls are charged on most motorways in Italy. Italy has a distance-based toll system - so the charges are based on the number of kilometers actually driven. In some regions, the toll is also calculated as a flat rate. Tolls are paid at toll stations either with cash or card or via an electronic toll box from various providers. This requires a transponder that is installed inside the vehicle and ensures that the barrier at the toll station opens automatically. There are usually specially reserved lanes in front of toll stations for users of an electronic toll box, which are marked with a "T" for Telepass. A fully automated toll system called Free Flow is used on some motorways, such as the Autostrade 36 near Milan, the A59 and the A60. Here, sensors record the number plates of passing vehicles, stopping is not necessary - but manual payment is also not possible. Here, travelers without a toll box have to pay the road toll themselves, for example by registering online, otherwise they face high fines.

For example, cars, caravans and motorhomes with a maximum height of three meters can use the toll transponder from Freeontour's partner Bip & Go , which can also be used in Spain, Portugal and France. In France, however, it only applies to vehicles up to 3.5 t.

General traffic rules in Italy

Driver's license and vehicle registration: The national EU driver's license is sufficient for driving a motorhome or a car caravan combination in Italy. The registration certificate part 1 (formerly the vehicle registration document) must also be taken with you when you travel. Taking an international insurance card with you is recommended.

Alcohol limit in Italy: In general, the alcohol limit for the combination of alcohol and driving in Italy is 0.5 ‰. For novice drivers who have held their driving license for less than three years or who are younger than 21 years of age, there is an absolute alcohol ban of 0.0 ‰. By the way: the blood alcohol limit of 0.5 ‰ also applies to cyclists in Italy.

Light requirements: In Italy, it is compulsory for all types of vehicles to be driving with lights on during the day on motorways and outside of towns all year round - both daytime running lights and dipped beams are accepted. For motorcycles and other motorized two-wheelers, headlights are compulsory all year round, even in built-up areas.

Child car seats in the vehicle: In Italy, children up to 12 years or 150 cm tall need a child car seat that corresponds to their weight and height. For vehicles registered in Italy, the child car seat must even have an alarm function. If you rent a motorhome in Italy - for example from the Freeontour partners McRent or rent easy - you should clarify this with the motorhome rental company in advance.

High-visibility vest requirement: In the event of a breakdown or an accident outside of built-up areas, the driver must wear a high-visibility vest if he or she leaves the car or camper, e.g. to set up a warning triangle. The same applies to all passengers as soon as they leave the vehicle and are on the road.

Mobile phone use in vehicles: Drivers may only use their mobile phone while driving with a fully hands-free device. It is also forbidden to use tablets or other devices that require you to take your hands off the steering wheel to operate them. In the event of violations, an immediate driving ban is possible in addition to a fine.

Winter tyres: In Italy there is no country-wide winter tyre obligation, but there are for certain regions. Even as a transit traveller, you can quickly come into contact with the various regulations on compulsory winter tyres in Italy. In addition, winter tyres are compulsory in Italy for different lengths of time depending on the province or are imposed at short notice by signs depending on the weather conditions. In order to be safely prepared for the whole country, you should therefore drive with winter tyres when traveling to Italy between October 15th and April 15th. However, studded tires may only be used between November 15th and March 15th.

Important: While in large parts of Italy winter tyres are usually only compulsory in wintry road conditions, in South Tyrol there is a so-called winter equipment requirement all year round. This means that snow chains should also be carried in summer. There is also an absolute obligation to have winter tyres on the Brenner motorway for the section between Brenner and Affi and for the municipality of Bozen. From November 15th to April 15th, this section of the route may only be used with winter equipment – regardless of whether the conditions are wintry or not. The same applies to the Aosta Valley between October 15th and April 15th.

Conversely, between May 16th and October 14th, you can only drive with winter or all-season tyres if the tyres have a speed index that at least corresponds to the speed index specified in Part I of the registration certificate (vehicle registration document).

Wild camping in Italy: Overnight stays with the camper outside of campsites or pitches are only permitted in certain cases. It is generally not allowed in national parks and state forests - and it is also generally prohibited in many communities in northern Italy. In principle, you can only spend the night with a camper or caravan away from the official campsites and pitches where the responsible municipality expressly allows this. This applies to both one and several nights. On private property, of course, the permission of the property owner is required as well.

Obligation to label protruding loads: Every vehicle load that protrudes to the rear must be provided with a warning sign - even if it protrudes by less than one meter. This also applies, for example, to rear bicycle racks even when folded. In Italy, the load is identified by a red and white hatched sign with minimum dimensions of 50 cm x 50 cm. For motorhomes, protruding loads must not exceed 30 % of the length of the motorhome.

Traveling by bike in Italy: If you want to switch to your bike for a change, you will be accompanied by Italians in many places during weekends. Often perfectly styled, they travel alone or in groups on sporty racing bikes on country roads. Since 2022, however, cyclists have encountered more difficult conditions: According to the new road traffic regulations in Italy, all bicycles - including racing bikes and mountain bikes - must now be equipped with working lights in order to be allowed to ride on Italian roads. However, the new traffic regulations do not clearly define when the lights must be switched on and whether clip-on lights are also accepted. In addition, theoretically racing bikes and mountain bikes must now also be equipped with reflectors on the pedals. If you cycle outside of built-up areas in the dark or in tunnels, you must also wear a high-visibility vest. Helmets are compulsory in Italy for children up to the age of 14. The alcohol limit on the bike is 0.5 ‰ and having the mobile phone on the ear as well as using  a headset is not allowed on the bike.

Right of way on hills and in roundabouts: Uphill vehicles always have the right of way unless there is an option to evade. However, this does not apply to regular buses - these always have the right of way on the mountain. In roundabouts, the right-before-left principle applies as long as the right of way is not otherwise regulated by traffic signs.

Traffic restrictions in Italian inner cities: Many Italian cities and municipalities have closed their inner cities and town centers to tourist motor traffic or only allow access at certain times. These driving ban zones are called Zona a traffico limitato (ZTL) and in many cases affect the historic city centers (centro storico), which in this way should be largely spared from traffic. Entry into these areas is usually only permitted for residents and suppliers. In larger cities, access is often monitored by video cameras, which register all vehicles entering the ZTL. In smaller communities, access is controlled by the local police. Most cities and municipalities provide information about the applicable regulations on their respective websites, which you should check before visiting.

Parking in towns and cities: Colored markings at the edge of the road provide information on where in Italy you can park in town.
- White = free parking
- Blue = parking zone subject to parking disc or fee at certain times. The parking tickets are then available from the machines, where the license plate number often has to be entered.
- Yellow = reserved spaces for taxis and buses
- Green = in some cities no parking on weekdays at certain times
- Black and yellow = absolute parking ban