Visa-free countries with an Italian passport in 2026: EU, USA and the world

Key points about the strength of the Italian passport

When discussing visa-free countries for Italian passport holders, people usually think about tourism - travel wherever you want without visas. This is true, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. The true value of an Italian passport lies in the fact that it is a document of European Union citizenship. This means that its holder receives not just tourist visa-free access, but a full right to live in any of the 27 EU countries - without a residence permit, without a work permit, without quotas.

According to mobility indices, the Italian passport consistently ranks among the strongest in the world. Specific figures vary among different rankings - some count 185 destinations, others around 190, because methodologies differ: some count only pure visa-free entry, others include visas on arrival and electronic permits. But the ranking is consistent: with an Italian passport, almost the entire world is open. Below we break down by region where you can travel without a visa with an Italian passport right now, and where new electronic formalities have appeared.

Rights of an Italian citizen in the EU: more than just visa-free access

This is the most important section, and it is not about tourism. An Italian passport is European Union citizenship, and it grants rights that no visa-free tourist has.

An Italian citizen can move to any of the 27 EU countries and simply live there - without obtaining a residence permit in the traditional sense, without an employer's invitation, without proof of income upon entry. You can settle in Germany and work on the same terms as locals. You can send your child to study at a university in France or the Netherlands at domestic rates, not foreigner rates. You can start a business in Spain or retire in Portugal.

This freedom extends not only to the 27 EU member states, but also to countries in the European Economic Area - Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein - as well as Switzerland. Within Schengen there is no passport control: traveling from Italy to Austria or France is like traveling between regions. The right to live and work is the reason why people spend years restoring Italian roots or going through naturalization.

Schengen and Europe: borderless within

For an Italian citizen, the entire Schengen Area is effectively home. Within it, there are no internal borders for people: when moving from one country to another, no one checks your passport. This applies to almost all EU countries plus associated states - Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland.

Separate mention goes to EU countries that are formally not yet fully part of Schengen, and microstates - Vatican City, San Marino, Monaco, Andorra. They are also freely open to Italians. In essence, on the entire European direction, the holder of an Italian passport has no concept of a visa at all - there is only freedom of movement and residence.

Important detail for 2026: the ETIAS system (electronic travel authorization for entry into Europe) applies to third-country nationals traveling to the EU, not to Europeans themselves. It does not apply to Italians - they are entering their home.

Italian passport and USA: entry under ESTA

The USA is one of the most sought-after destinations, and here the Italian passport has a serious advantage. Italy is part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so an Italian citizen does not need to go to the embassy for a visa for tourism or business travel.

Instead of a visa, an electronic authorization ESTA is obtained online. An application should be submitted in advance - a minimum of 72 hours before departure is recommended. It costs approximately 40 dollars, is valid for two years (or until the passport expires) and allows multiple entries with stays of up to 90 days per trip.

Requirements: the passport must be biometric (with a chip), and the traveler must comply with program requirements. There are exceptions: those who have visited certain countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan and some others since March 2011 will not be granted ESTA - they will need to obtain a regular visa. However, for most Italian passport holders, the way to the USA is open through a simple online permit.

United Kingdom, Canada and Australia

After Brexit, the United Kingdom left the EU, but entry for Italians remained visa-free. From 2026, however, a new formality has appeared: all visa-free guests must obtain an electronic travel authorization ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) in advance. This is not a visa, but an online pass, which costs approximately 16 pounds and is obtained before travel. Full implementation of this rule is introduced from February 2026.

Canada accepts Italian citizens without a visa - an electronic authorization eTA is required for entry by air, obtained online in a couple of minutes. Australia and New Zealand are also open under electronic permits (ETA and NZeTA respectively). The logic is similar everywhere: there is no traditional paper visa, but a quick online pass appears that takes minutes, not weeks.

Asia: Japan, Korea, UAE and beyond

The Asian direction is almost completely open for the Italian passport. Japan allows Italian citizens to enter without a visa for short trips. From 2026, Japan is introducing its own electronic pre-authorization system JESTA - an analogue of the American ESTA for visa-free guests; this is pre-screening, not a visa, and it will affect Italians as travelers from a visa-free country.

South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong accept Italians without a visa for short periods. The United Arab Emirates grants visa-free entry - convenient for business and layovers. Thailand, Indonesia and many other popular destinations are open either visa-free or by visa on arrival or electronic permit. Certain countries such as China or India still require a pre-obtained visa - this needs to be checked for a specific trip, as rules here change most frequently.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America is one of the most friendly regions for the Italian passport. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Peru accept Italian citizens without a visa for tourism, usually for 90 days. This makes the region convenient both for extended travel and for wintering.

The Caribbean is almost entirely open without visas - the islands live on tourism and welcome European guests. This also includes many countries that offer citizenship for investment, but for an Italian citizen they are accessible simply with a passport. It is worth remembering the different visa-free stay periods and that for some countries electronic registration is still required - details are checked before departure.

Africa and the Middle East

Africa and the Middle East represent a more diverse region. Some countries are fully open to Italian citizens: Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritius, and Seychelles allow entry without a visa. Many countries in East and South Africa issue visas on arrival or electronic visas - this is quick but requires processing.

In the Middle East, Israel, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and Oman are generally open through visa-free entry or simple permits. However, some countries in the region require a pre-arranged visa. The general rule for Italian passport holders is this: most destinations are accessible, but before each trip, you should verify the current requirements of the specific country, as regulations change.

Table: Entry regime by region

We bring the picture together. This is a reference point, not a legal guarantee - each country's rules must be verified before travel.

The conclusion is simple: with an Italian passport, almost the entire world is open either visa-free or through a quick online pass. And Europe is open not for visits, but for living.

New electronic permits: what changes in 2026

It is important not to confuse two directions of electronic systems. Some apply to Italian citizens traveling abroad, others to foreigners traveling to Europe.

For Italian passport holders, the following are relevant: ESTA for the United States, ETA for the United Kingdom, eTA for Canada, ETA and NZeTA for Australia and New Zealand, and from 2026 - JESTA for Japan. All work on the same principle - these are not visas but online permits that are processed in advance within minutes.

The ETIAS system, which is widely discussed, does not directly affect Italian passport holders - it is a permit for third-country nationals entering the EU. That is, for those who do not yet have a European passport. Upon obtaining Italian citizenship, a person moves to the other side: ETIAS is no longer needed anywhere in Europe.

How to obtain an Italian passport: not for money

It is important to be here. You cannot buy Italian citizenship - the country has no passport-for-investment program. There are two paths to an Italian passport.

The first is by descent (the so-called right of blood). In 2025, this scheme was significantly reformed: now the right based on roots typically applies if a parent or grandparent was born in Italy, meaning within two generations. Previously, it was possible to rely on a great-grandparent, but many old family lineages no longer qualify. If you have Italian roots through your father's or mother's line, this topic should be checked separately - we discuss the details in materials on Italian citizenship by descent.

The second path is naturalization through residence. Details on timelines and conditions follow, but for now, the key point is: both paths lead to the same strong EU passport, and neither is purchased.

Naturalization and marriage: conditions for obtaining citizenship

Naturalization is obtaining citizenship through years of legal residence in Italy. The basic period is 10 years of continuous residence. For citizens of other EU countries, it is shorter - 4 years, and for people of Italian descent or those born in Italy - 3 years.

Beyond the time requirement, you need Italian language proficiency at B1 level, stable legal income, and no criminal record. This is not a formality - the state genuinely evaluates a person's integration.

A separate path is marriage to an Italian citizen. Here the period is shorter: 2 years of residence in Italy in marriage (or 3 years if the couple lives abroad). With children, these periods are cut in half. B1-level language proficiency is required here as well. We write more about types of citizenship in our overview of Italian citizenship and in the material on dual citizenship.

How to start the path to an Italian passport

There is no direct path of "invest money - get passport" in Italy. But there is a logical sequence for those who want to eventually achieve Italian citizenship and its visa-free freedom.

If you have Italian roots within two generations - it is worth starting with checking your right by descent under the new 2025 rules. If there are no roots, the path goes through legal residence: first you obtain a residence permit, live in the country, integrate, and then proceed to naturalization. One way to legally establish yourself in Italy is through an investor visa and other residency options; we discussed these in detail in the material on Italy's investor visa.

Which path is right for you depends on your history, roots, goals, and budget. This is precisely the case where it is worth analyzing the situation in detail rather than acting at random.

Schedule a consultation with BRIDGES GLOBAL – we will review your situation and create a clear plan to obtain an Italian passport.

What to pay attention to in advance

Before making plans around an Italian passport, it is important to check several things. Italian citizenship is not the same as tax residency: a passport does not automatically make you a taxpayer in Italy; tax status is determined by where you actually live. For Russian citizens and citizens of CIS countries, the path to a passport fully complies with EU laws – without sanctions circumvention, with enhanced verification of source of funds and biography. Russia permits dual citizenship, but you must notify the Interior Ministry of its acquisition (approximately within 60 days). And separately: visa-free regimes and electronic permits change from time to time, so any specific trip should always be verified against the current entry requirements of the destination country.