How to get to Italy: documents, entry for tourists, flights, and transit. Photo: unsplash / Braden Collum
After the European Union included Ukraine in the list of countries of the "green" zone, that is, those third countries that are allowed to enter the European Union, some countries already allow Ukrainians to enter their territories under certain conditions. In particular, at the end of July the Italian government did this by opening the borders for all types of travel of our citizens. The article of 
describes what is needed for this and what regulations are in effect in the country.
Who can get to Italy and how can Ukrainians enter the country?
On July 29, 2021, the Ministry of Health of Italy updated the regulations for crossing the Italian border by its order and, from the 31st of the same month, included Ukraine in the list of category D countries, whose citizens can visit Italy for any purpose, in particular for tourism.
Now Ukrainians can get to Italy in several ways. The fastest option is by plane: direct flights to Rome, Milan, Venice, and other cities operate from Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv and more. One can get to the country by car, but this trip will take at least 24 hours. One can also take a bus, but this will take even longer.
Italian border crossing regulations for Ukrainians: What documents are needed
Ukrainians can visit Italy for any purpose, in particular for tourism, however, according to the interactive map of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, certain requirements apply to our citizens:
- you need to have a certificate of a negative molecular or antigen test for COVID-19 that must be done at least 72 hours before arrival;
- you need to fill out the online Passenger Locator Form before leaving for Italy;
- you need to self-isolate for five days after arriving in Italy, activating local health surveillance procedures and notifying the local health authorities, and then retesting for COVID-19 that should confirm a negative result. At the same time, from August 31, the following regulation has been in force: if a Ukrainian has a negative test result, as well as a European Green Pass certificate of completion of a full course of vaccination (with Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna, and AstraZeneca), then he or she is exempt from a five-day self-isolation. Children up to the age of 6 are exempt from testing, but they must still self-isolate if necessary.
The country imposed such rules until October 25, 2021.
It is also worth adding that, in addition to following these regulations, it is necessary to confirm the purpose of the trip, the place of accomodation, the availability of sufficient funds, the date of departure from Italy, etc. This information will be checked by the border police (Polizia di Frontiera) when entering the country, and after that the border police makes the final decision on the permit.
As for common documents, Ukrainians must have a biometric passport of a citizen (for a visa-free regime) or a passport of a citizen of Ukraine for travelling abroad (for a visa regime). If a Ukrainian travels by car, then he or she can drive through Italy with a Ukrainian driver's license and a car with Ukrainian registration during the specified period of the tourist trip.
Transit through Italy for Ukrainians
The transit regime through Italy is allowed for all who travel by private transport. However, there is a restriction: you can stay in the country for 36 hours. If the person has not left the territory of the country by the end of this period, it is needed to start a period of self-isolation for five days, and after that a molecular or antigen test should be done.
Air transit is allowed on a general basis, that is, according to the imposed transit regulations and if there are transit areas at airports and there is no need to cross the border. At the same time, if the airport has no transit areas and one needs to cross the border, then transit is allowed according to the general rules of entry into Italy.
Quarantine regulations in Italy: What Ukrainians need to know
Since November 2020, the Italian government has divided the regions into risk zones. This refers to the "red", "orange", "yellow", and "white" zones. Each of them has its own quarantine regulations:
- The "white" zone is still in force throughout the country, except for Sicily. The main rule here is to wear protective masks and maintain social distance.
- In the "yellow" zone there is a ban on movement from 00:00 to 05:00, restrictions on the work of catering establishments, shopping centers, museums, cinemas, theaters, and gyms.
- In the "orange" zone, which has not yet been imposed in any region of the country, it is forbidden to move about from 00:00 to 05:00, catering establishments, shopping centers (on weekends and holidays), museums, cinemas, theaters, and gyms do not work.
- In the "red" zone, which is also not imposed in any region of Italy, it is generally prohibited to move about, catering establishments, shopping centers, museums, exhibition centers, and cinemas are closed, meetings are prohibited.
Let us add that from August 6, entrance to Italian restaurants, bars (staying indoors), theaters, concert, exhibition halls, gyms, stadiums, etc. is only allowed with a Green Pass certificate for those vaccinated or for those who have done a test within the last 24 hours.
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