Catania Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
As part of Italy and the Schengen Area, Catania follows EU visa policies. Your nationality determines whether you need a visa, can enter visa-free, or will soon require an electronic travel authorization (ETIAS).
Citizens of EU member states, European Economic Area countries, and Switzerland can enter and stay indefinitely with a valid national ID card or passport
No visa or authorization required. A valid national identity card is sufficient for entry; passport not mandatory for EU/EEA citizens.
Citizens of many countries can enter the Schengen Area without a visa for tourism, business, or family visits
The 90/180 rule applies: you can stay 90 days maximum within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, and future entry bans. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond departure date.
From 2025, visa-exempt nationals will need to obtain ETIAS authorization before traveling to the Schengen Area
Cost: €7 per application (free for applicants under 18 or over 70)
ETIAS authorization valid for 3 years or until passport expires, whichever comes first. Allows multiple entries. Implementation expected in 2025 - check official EU sources for exact launch date.
Citizens of countries not eligible for visa-free entry must obtain a Schengen visa before traveling
Visa fees typically €80 for adults, €40 for children 6-12, free for children under 6. A Schengen visa issued by Italy allows travel throughout the Schengen Area. Italy should be your main destination or first point of entry.
Arrival Process
Upon arrival at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, all international passengers must complete immigration and customs procedures. The process is well-organized, with clear signage in Italian and English.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Italy follows EU customs regulations. Travelers arriving from outside the EU must observe duty-free allowances and declare items exceeding these limits. Those arriving from other EU countries face fewer restrictions but must still comply with rules on prohibited items.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal drugs and narcotics - strictly forbidden with severe criminal penalties
- Counterfeit goods - fake designer items, pirated media, and counterfeit currency
- Weapons and ammunition - without proper authorization and documentation
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals/plants under CITES regulations
- Certain food products - meat, dairy, and plant products from non-EU countries (with few exceptions)
- Offensive materials - child pornography and materials promoting terrorism or extreme violence
- Unregistered drones - certain types require prior authorization
Restricted Items
- Medications - prescription drugs must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription and should be in original packaging. Carry only reasonable quantities for personal use. Some medications legal elsewhere may be controlled in Italy.
- Pets - must have pet passport, microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate. Different rules apply for dogs, cats versus other animals.
- Cash instruments - amounts over €10,000 must be declared
- Cultural artifacts - antiques and cultural goods may require export licenses
- Professional equipment - expensive cameras, laptops, and equipment may need to be declared to avoid duty on re-export
- Plants and plant products - require phytosanitary certificates from non-EU countries
- Drones and radio equipment - may require registration or authorization depending on specifications
Health Requirements
Italy generally has minimal health entry requirements for most travelers, but it's important to stay informed about current regulations, particularly regarding communicable diseases.
Required Vaccinations
- No vaccinations are routinely required for entry into Italy unless arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission (in which case yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for travelers over 1 year old)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DTP, influenza)
- Hepatitis A (for all travelers)
- Hepatitis B (for longer stays or those who may be exposed to blood/body fluids)
- Rabies (for travelers involved with animals or extensive outdoor activities)
- Tick-borne encephalitis (if visiting rural/forested areas in certain seasons)
Health Insurance
Travel health insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors and is mandatory for visa applicants (minimum €30,000 coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation). EU/EEA citizens should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which provides access to state healthcare at reduced cost or free, though supplementary insurance is still advisable. Non-EU visitors should ensure comprehensive coverage as healthcare costs can be high without insurance.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsImportant Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport (or be included on parent's passport if issued before 2012, though separate passports are recommended). Minors traveling without both parents should carry a notarized consent letter from the non-accompanying parent(s) including contact details and authorizing travel. For children traveling alone or with adults who aren't legal guardians, additional documentation proving relationship and authorization is essential. Divorced or separated parents should carry custody documents. EU citizens' children can travel on national ID cards where accepted.
Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be microchipped (ISO 11784/11785 compliant), vaccinated against rabies (at least 21 days before travel), and accompanied by an EU Pet Passport (for EU pets) or official veterinary health certificate (for non-EU pets). Pets from certain countries may require rabies antibody titration test. Maximum 5 pets per person for non-commercial movement. Certain dog breeds face restrictions in Italy. Birds and other animals have separate requirements. Contact Italian embassy and check Ministry of Health website for complete current requirements. Airlines have additional policies regarding pet travel.
Tourist visas and visa-free stays allow maximum 90 days per 180-day period for non-EU citizens. For longer stays, you must apply for appropriate long-stay visa (Type D) before traveling, based on purpose: work, study, family reunification, or elective residence. Apply at Italian embassy/consulate in your home country. After arriving on long-stay visa, you must apply for residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at local Questura within 8 days. EU/EEA citizens can stay indefinitely but should register with local authorities (anagrafe) if staying over 3 months. Working in Italy requires work authorization except for EU/EEA citizens.
Italy introduced a digital nomad visa in 2024 allowing non-EU remote workers to live in Italy while working for non-Italian employers. Applicants must prove minimum income (approximately €28,000/year), have health insurance, and demonstrate remote work capability. Apply at Italian embassy before travel. Standard tourist visas do not permit work, even remotely for foreign companies. EU/EEA citizens can work remotely from Italy without special authorization.
Non-EU students must obtain a student visa (Type D) before traveling, requiring acceptance letter from Italian educational institution, proof of accommodation, financial means (approximately €460/month), and health insurance. After arrival, apply for student residence permit. EU/EEA students don't need visa but should register if staying over 3 months and may need to prove enrollment and financial means.
Short business trips (meetings, conferences, negotiations) are generally permitted on tourist visas/visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Carry invitation letter from Italian business partner, proof of business relationship, and return tickets. Actually working or receiving payment from Italian sources requires work authorization. Business visa may be required for certain activities. EU/EEA citizens can conduct business freely.