Can I travel to Italy? Latest travel advice for summer holidays

Can I travel to Italy? Latest holiday advice - Getty
Can I travel to Italy? Latest holiday advice - Getty

Foreign holidays resumed on May 17.

Italy remains on the amber list following the latest changes on June 24, which means travellers returning to the UK face up to 10 days of self-isolation on their return, as well two extra PCR tests (on top of the pre-departure Covid test to return home and a PCR test within two days of their return). The UK Government is also advising against travel to amber destinations.

In addition, all travellers from the UK must self isolate for at least five days on their arrival in Italy – as well as testing negative for Covid. Scroll down for more on that, and everything else we know so far about a possible holiday to Italy this summer.

When can I travel to Italy in 2021?

Overseas holidays resumed on May 17 under a new traffic light system. Some 25 countries and territories are on the quarantine-free green list, although not all are open to UK travellers. Plus, 13 of these are on the green watch list, meaning that they are "at most risk" of turning amber.

Italy remains on the amber list following the latest update to the traffic light categories. The UK Government is advising against non-essential travel to amber destinations. Anyone arriving in the UK who has been in Italy in the previous 10 days will face up to 10 days of self-isolation and will have to pay for an additional PCR test on day eight (they can also opt to pay for another on day five under the 'Test to Release' scheme).

Who can enter Italy?

Travellers arriving in Italy from the UK are no longer required to quarantine since Italy reopened to British tourists on May 16.

Mario Draghi, the prime minister, announced on May 4 that Italy was opening up to the world.

"Waiting for the European certificate... we have a national green pass that will enable people to move from region to region and will be operational by mid-May, so let us not wait until mid-June for the EU pass." Mr Draghi said.

"In mid-May tourists can have the Italian pass... so the time has come to book your holidays in Italy.

The term "green pass" has been bandied around by the Italian government but an official told The Telegraph that it did not amount to a physical document that needed to be obtained.

However, on June 9, Italy's Covid-19 emergency commissioner said of the country's green pass: "we are ready. It’s a matter of a few days".

The pass is expected to be a requirement for travel and attending events this summer.

It will show vaccination status, immunity due to a recent recovery from Covid-19 or results of a negative test taken within the previous 48 hours. This pass will be used for travel within the EU. Fully-vaccinated UK travellers are to initially be excluded from the relaxation of travel rules for immunised tourists within the EU due to fears over the Delta variant.

Do I need to take a test before travel to Italy?

Yes. Those wishing to fly to Italy must present their airline with a negative Covid-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test taken no more than 48 hours before travel.

Those who arrive without a negative test will be required to self-isolate for 10 days and to take a test at the end of the isolation period.

Do I need to quarantine on arrival in Italy?

Yes. Until July 30, all travellers who have been in the UK in the previous 14 days must self-isolate for 5 days, at the end of which they must take a rapid antigenic or molecular swab test for COVID-19. If they test negative, they may exit quarantine. For more information, see gov.uk.

Children under the age of 6 do not need to test, but must still self-isolate.

Who do I need to contact when I arrive?

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) says: “Everyone arriving in Italy must also call the Covid-19 helpline for the region you are travelling within 48 hours, to inform them of your visit.”

Do I need to self-isolate on arrival?

No, the FCDO says: "From 16 May until 30 July there is no longer a requirement to quarantine on arrival in Italy, unless travellers arrive without proof of a negative test."

Do I need to take a test before travelling back to England?

Yes. You must take a test (this can be a lateral flow test) and secure a certificate with a negative result (this can be shown on a smartphone) within 48 hours of departure. If you fail to do so, you will be denied boarding, or risk a fine of up to £500 on arrival back in the UK. You can find the Government's rules on test before departure, here.

Do people travelling from Italy to England have to go into self-isolation?

Yes. You will need to fill in a Passenger Locator Form before arriving in England, and then self-isolate at home for up to ten days. And you will need to take a Covid test on days two and eight (the day of your arrival is day 0). You can also pay for an extra test on day five of your isolation under the 'Test to Release' scheme for the chance to cut short your quarantine.

To help simplify the process and make pricing more transparent, the Government has launched an official Covid test comparison website. The new gov.uk website provides travellers with information on the cheapest, quickest and most efficient Covid test companies in their region

Will testing requirements remain?

It seems possible that testing could remain a requirement for many months – it is the backbone of the Government's traffic light system. However, vaccine passports could eventually replace, or supplement, the need to prove you do not have the virus.

Are flights to Italy still operating?

Yes. A number of airlines are still operating limited flights to Italy. Ryanair, EasyJet and British Airways are among the airlines with flights.

Am I still covered by travel insurance?

If you need to travel to Italy there are a small number of providers willing to offer cover against Foreign Office advice.

Is Italy in lockdown?

Italy has begun to ease lockdown.

Travel between white and yellow regions is permitted. There are currently no orange or red regions but moving to and from orange and red regions will only be permitted for residents holding a green certificate confirming that they have been fully vaccinated against, or have recovered from, Covid-19. The green certificate will be valid for 6 months.

On April 16, Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced the easing of restrictions a week ahead of schedule, thanks to an acceleration in the country's vaccination programme.

A nightly curfew is in place in all yellow regions from 11pm to 5am. Between and June 7 and 20, curfew is from midnight to 5am. Curfew ends on 21 June. You cannot leave your place of residence during this time apart from for emergency, work or health reasons. You’ll need to carry a self-declaration form explaining your reasons for travel during these hours.

There is a strong recommendation from the Italian Government that people do not travel by public or private transport except for work, health reasons, or for reasons of necessity Public transport is operating at 50 per cent capacity and its use is discouraged except for essential purposes.

Face masks are mandatory in all public places, both indoors and outdoors in both white and yellow regions. See which areas of the country are designated as yellow or white.

How is Italy’s vaccination drive going?

Some 61.16 per cent of the adult population has had a first dose and 31.21 per cent have received both doses.