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To travel to Italy, citizens of many countries need to get a Schengen Visa. It is also called a short-stay visa, allowing you to stay in the Schengen country for up to 90 days within 180 days.
In this article we will review all the most important information about a short-stay visa: how to apply for it, what documents you will need, and how it differs from the long-stay visa.
What is a Schengen Visa
Schengen Visa is a document required for nationals of some countries to enter Italy. If you are a citizen of one of these states, the border officer will ask you to show a visa when you enter Italy.
Visas are not required for nationals of countries that belong to the Schengen Area, for example, France, Spain, Germany, or Greece.
The countries with visa-free agreements with the Schengen area are also exempt from getting a visa. It means they can stay there freely for up to 90 days within 180 days. Such countries, for example, are the UK, the USA, Japan, Israel, and Georgia.
It is important not to confuse a short-stay visa with a long-stay visa. The latter is issued for purposes like studying or working in Italy. With it, you can later obtain a residence permit.
Difference between short-stay and long-stay visas
Both a short-stay visa and a long-stay visa permit entry to Italy but differ in the duration of the visa, an application procedure, and visa requirements.
Duration of the stay: the maximum stay for a tourist with a short-stay visa is 90 days within 180 days. Notice that short-stay visas can also be issued for 30 days or only for the time of stay, depending on the situation.
The long-stay visa may be valid from 3 months to up to 1 year, depending on the purpose of your trip. Long-stay visas can then be extended in Italy without the need to leave Schengen Area and apply for the new one.
Application procedure: getting a long-stay visa takes twice as long as a short-stay and requires additional documents depending on the trip’s purpose. For example, if you want to study in Italy, you will need to show a certificate of enrolment in an Italian university.
Visa requirements: citizens of countries who have visa-free agreements don’t need to obtain a Schengen Visa to enter the country. However, all non-EU nationals must get a long-stay visa if they plan to study, work or join the family in Italy.
Documents required to apply for a short-stay Italy Schengen Visa
- Visa application form. Just general information about yourself and your trip: nationality, current address, the purpose of the trip, estimated arrival time, etc. You can complete the form on the official e-application Schengen Visa website.
- Three passport-size photographs. They should be taken in the last 6 months and follow the Schengen Visa photo requirements.
- Valid passport. A few criteria a passport needs to follow: not be older than 10 years, has at least 2 free pages and is valid for 3 months after the planned date of leaving Italy and the Schengen Area.
- Return ticket or evidence that you have your own transport to leave Schengen Area before the visa expires. As evidence, you may use the vehicle’s registration number and vehicle insurance.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself for the duration of the stay.
The table with minimal finances required, depending on your stay time
| Stay time | For one person | For a family of 4 |
| For stays up to 5 days | €269,60 (fixed) | €212,81 (fixed) |
| For stays from 6 to 10 days | €44,93 (daily) | €105,32 (daily) |
| For stays from 11 to 20 days | €51,64 (fixed) €36,67 (daily) | €25,82 (fixed) €88,84 (daily) |
| For stays over 20 days | €206,58 (fixed) €27,89 (daily) | €118,79 (fixed) €68,16 (daily) |
To figure out how much money you need for a trip, calculate the fixed fee depending on your stay time. For example, if you plan to stay for 15 days, the fixed fee is €51,64 for each person – for stays between 11 and 20 days.
Then add the daily amount to the days you plan to stay in the Schengen area. The daily fee for stays between 11 and 20 days is €36,67, so a 15 days trip requires €550,05 ‑ €36,67 times 15 days. Thus, the total amount for one person is €601,69.
As proof of financial means, you can use bank statements, pay slips, tax returns or sponsorship letters if someone in Italy is sponsoring your trip.
- Travel health insurance with minimal coverage of €30,000. Ensure that the insurance is valid in Italy and the Schengen Area — otherwise, it won’t be accepted.
- Proof of accommodation: hotel reservation or, if you have a host in Italy, a signed copy of the sponsorship form from your host.
- Documents to prove the purpose of your trip. For example, a travel ticket and hotel reservation for tourism or an Italian clinic invitation to get medical treatment. If you travel by car, you must show your planned route.
Documents required depending on employment status
Apart from the basic list of documents, some consulates may ask for additional showing your employment status.
- Employees need to show an employment contract, bank statement for the last 6 months, recent payslips and a signed letter from the employer with permission for a vacation.
- Self-employed need to show a copy of their business licence, business bank statement for the last 6 months, and an income tax return form.
- Unemployed can travel to Italy if they are sponsored by someone else, for example, a spouse, a parent or a child. They need to show the bank statement of the person in charge and their written agreement to sponsor your trip.
- Students need enrollment documents and university permission to leave during the trip.
- Retired people need to show either a pension benefit verification letter or a bank statement of the account where the pension is deposited. In case they have another source of income, for example, renting a house, they can also present these documents.
Documents required to apply for a visa for children
Each child requires a separate application, including the following documents:
- birth certificates for children of 16 and younger;
- a certificate from the school if the child is studying there — it should include the address of the school and the phone number;
- a valid passport;
- biometrics for children of 12 and older;
- visa application signed by both parents.
If a child travels with both parents, they both sign their visa application. If only one parent, for example, a mother, is travelling with the child, then only the mother signs a visa application. In this case, the father must provide a notarized written consent to this trip.
If a child travels without parents, they both need to give notarized written consent to the trip. In this case, a child should have their passport.
How to apply for an Italy Schengen Visa: step-by-step procedure
The procedure of obtaining a Schengen Visa consists of several steps. You don’t need to turn to visa-centres or specific specialists as you can undergo the whole process on your own.
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Complete the visa application form
On the website and print it.
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Collect and prepare all the documents required
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Book an appointment
In your country’s Italian consulate or embassy — usually in the capital. Find your country’s embassy’s phone number, address or website and schedule a visa application.
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Attend the appointment
With the documents and make a payment. The European visa fee is €80 for adults and children over 12. While children aged 6—12 are only charged €40. Application procedure for children under 6 years is free.
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Get your passport with a visa
The consulate will provide a date and time to collect the passport. It will contain the EU visa sticker, which allows you to enter and stay in Italy for the duration.
You must go to the consulate in person to collect your passport and visa sticker. You may be required to present an identification document, such as your national identity card or driver’s licence.
Before leaving the consulate, it’s essential to check that all the information in your passport and visa sticker is correct, including name and surname, date of birth, the dates of visa validity and the purpose of your visit. If you notice any mistakes, you should inform the consulate immediately to resolve the issue.
Once you have your passport and visa sticker, you are ready to go to Italy.
How long does it take to get a short‑stay Italian Schengen Visa
The application process usually takes 15 days, but it can be extended up to 45 days in specific cases: if the Italian consulate needs to verify documents or to get additional ones. So make sure you have all the documentation ready — and the procedure won’t take long.
Applying for a visa at least 15 days before leaving for Italy is vital. Also, you cannot apply later than 6 months in advance.
Why can the application be rejected
The most common reasons for rejection are:
- incomplete documents, for example, lack of evidence of financial means;
- incomplete or incorrect visa application form.
Suppose you believe that the rejection was unjustified or there was an error in the processing of your application. In that case, you can appeal the decision or request a review of your application.
What to do when the visa is about to expire
You need to leave Italy and the Schengen area before the visa expires. If you overstay your visa, you may face penalties such as fines, deportation, or restrictions on future travel to the Schengen area.
If your visa has expired and you are still in Italy, you should immediately extend your visa or apply for a new one, depending on your situation.
You cannot extend your visa in Italy if you are on a short-term Schengen Visa, valid for up to 90 days.
If you are in Italy on a long-term visa, you can apply for a visa extension. You should contact the relevant authorities in Italy, such as the local police or the Italian immigration office, to inquire about the process and requirements for extending your visa or applying for a new one.
How to visit Italy without a visa
To visit Italy without a visa, citizens of non-Schengen countries can get residency in European countries by investing in the country’s economy.
The program allows investors and their families to get residence permits in EU countries and freely enter Italy and the Schengen area even if the borders are closed. Such programs operate in Italy, Greece, Spain, and Malta.
Summary
- Schengen Visa is a document that allows people to enter Italy and the Schengen Area. It is required for nationals of countries that don’t belong to the Schengen Area and don’t have visa-free agreements with it.
- Short-stay visas are issued for 90 days, required for tourism and take at least 15 days to obtain. Long-stay visas are issued for up to 1 year, required for working, studying, or family reunification, and take 30+ days to get.
- Before applying for a Schengen Visa, you must complete the application form and collect all required documents. Then book an appointment in your country’s Italian consulate and submit these documents.
- The application cost is €80 for adults and children over 12 years, €40 for children of 6—12 years, free for children under 6 years. In case of refusal, the fees are not refunded.
- To visit Italy without a visa, you may consider getting residency in an EU country by investment. The investment can be refundable and profitable.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Schengen Visa to enter Italy?
You don’t need an EU visa only if you are a national of a country that belongs to the Schengen Area, for example, France, Spain, Germany, or Greece.
This list of visa-exempt countries also includes states that have visa-free agreements with the Schengen Area. That means their citizens can stay in Italy freely for 90 days within a 180 days period. Examples of such countries are Albania, Georgia, and Israel.
How long does it take to obtain a visa?
The application duration is at least 15 days for a short-stay visa and at least 30 days for a long-stay visa. If the consulate states that some of your documents require verification, it may cause a significant delay, so make sure your documents are alright before applying.
Getting a visa at least 15 days before departure and not later than 60 days after it is important.
What is the application process?
The application process consists of several steps.
- Complete the visa application.
- Collect all the documents required.
- Book an appointment in your country’s Italian consulate or embassy.
- Submit your documents and pay the application fee.
- Get your visa on the due date provided by the consulate.
Do I need to check the application status, or will I get a notification?
Once you apply for a visa at the Italian consulate, they will let you know when your visa will be ready and when you can get it. There’s no need to check your status yourself.
What will happen when the procedure is finished?
You should come to the consulate on the due date scheduled by the consulate and get your visa. The visa will look like a sticker on your passport. Remember to take an identification document when you go to the consulate.
