The Italian and British governments have confirmed that testing is now a requirement for all travellers from the UK to Italy.
There was widespread confusion about the requirement after Italian government on Wednesday suggested it would make testing compulsory for people arriving in Italy from these countries under an upcoming emergency decree next week, and the rules were not expected to come into force until October 15th.
However, Italian health minister Roberto Speranza on Thursday October 8th signed an ordinance bringing the rules into effect immediately.
The Italian Health Ministry has added British, Dutch, Czech and Belgian arrivals to the list of travellers required to submit to a swab test upon entry to Italy.
The Italian government has subsequently updated its travel advice.
Photo: AFP
The British Foreign Office also issued the following advice on Thursday:
“A negative Covid-19 test result is required when you arrive in Italy from the UK.
Previously only people arriving in Italy from Spain, Greece, Croatia, Malta or one of seven regions of France, including Paris, were obliged to get tested.
Greece, Croatia and Malta have now been removed from the “at risk” list by Thursday's ordinance.
- Which travellers face mandatory Covid-19 testing on arrival in Italy?
- What are the current rules on travelling to Italy?
- Covid-19: What happens if I test positive on arrival in Italy?
The testing rule applies to everyone departing from one of these countries, regardless of nationality or where you're a resident.
Travellers can either get tested before they leave – both molecular (PCR) and rapid antigen tests are accepted, so long as they're carried out no more than 72 hours before your journey – or within 48 hours of arriving.
Most major airports in Italy now offer rapid testing as soon as you land, as do some international ports and train stations. These tests are free as it is classed as an emergency procedure.
Travellers are advised to contact their destinaton airport in Italy to confirm the availability of testing on arrival.
For more information about how to get a coronavirus test when travelling to Italy, see our guide here.
For more details travellers are advised to check the relevant country information on the ViaggiareSicuri website. You may also wish to check the Italian Foreign Ministry's website (in English) as well as the latest advice from the British government.
Please note: The Local is not able to advise on specific cases.
We travelled back from the UK today on an early morning flight and had to have rapid testing at Rome Fiumicino. British Airways staff were unaware of the change, as they didn’t mention it on the flight.
It’s a quick process once you’ve completed the various forms, and you have to wait in the testing area for the result (which takes 30 minutes). Police were checking that you had your test result slip before they’d let you leave the area.
Just for reference, it added at least an hour to our journey time, even though the testing area was almost empty when we were there. When it’s busy I should imagine it could get a little chaotic, as your completed forms have to be checked, then you see a doctor who prepares the test before you actually have the nasal swabs taken.
Hi — I will be arriving in Italy by car from France, probably on 12 October. If anyone has done this recently and has any information to share (e.g., where to go for the mandatory test, how long it takes, and so on) I would be very grateful for any tips. Thanks!
Hi all,
We have just arrived at Catania, we normally fly to Palermo, and having had a pcr test in the UK. We were not asked for proof of a test or advised to take a test within 48 hours etc