Documents
Before departure it is important to check both the identity and health documents that are required for your country of destination otherwise you may be prohibited from entering.
Please note that some countries do not accept paper identity cards renewed with a stamp. Included among these are: Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey.
For further details please consult the information sheet of the country in question on Travelling Safelyand the website of Customs.
SCHENGEN AREA
As a result of the Schengen Convention which came into force in 1995 internal checks between member States have been abolished. The agreement enabled the standardisation of security procedures along borders and resulted in the adoption of common rules on visas and rights of asylum in order to allow for the free movement of people within member States.
Passengers whose destination is a country of the Schengen area must show an up-to-date identity document which is valid for travel abroad. The countries which fully apply the Schengen Agreement are: Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, then Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Croatia and Switzerland (which are still not full members of the EU).
Sweden, the last country to have acceded to the Schengen Agreement opened its land borders in 2008 and its air borders at the end of March 2009. Ireland and the United Kingdom have not yet signed the Agreement.
Cyprus which joined the EU in 2004 as well as Bulgaria and Romania which joined in 2007 do not yet fully participate in the Schengen Agreement.
You therefore need to show a passport or a valid identity card to enter into these countries. A driving licence is not valid for travel abroad. For further information visit the site of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
EXTRA SCHENGEN AREA
The eGates at Milan Bergamo Airport, active for document checks on both departure and arrival, allow access with a biometric passport. Italian citizens can also use them with an electronic ID card if they are over 14 years old, or over 12 if accompanied.
EES (ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM)
Passengers departing for extra-Schengen destinations, holding a passport not issued by a European Union country, are informed that border controls will be carried out entirely through biometric data collection with the EES (Entry/Exit System). All affected passengers are advised to proceed immediately to the passport control area after completing security checks.
The same control procedures apply to arriving passengers, and waiting times may be longer.
For further information on the full implementation of the system, please visit the official EES website (https://travel-europe.europa.eu).
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION (ETA) FOR ENTRY INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM
Starting from April 2, 2025, travelers heading to the United Kingdom without the need for a visa must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure.
The ETA is a mandatory requirement for entry into the country and must be obtained in advance of travel.
For more information on the application process and requirements, please refer to the official website of the UK Government.
