Italy entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 31, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
New Zealand passport holders can visit Italy for tourism or business without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, so time spent in other Schengen countries counts toward it. As of 2026, the rules are unchanged — ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your entry date.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay in Italy | Your passport needs to be valid for the whole time you're in Italy. No minimum validity beyond your departure date is required by Italian law, but some airlines enforce 3 months beyond your stay — check with your carrier. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from the Schengen zone | Immigration officers at Italian airports routinely ask for a return or onward ticket showing you leave the Schengen area within 90 days. Budget airlines check this before boarding too. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a printed or digital hotel reservation, hostel booking, or a signed letter from your host with their address and contact info. Officers ask for this at passport control, especially if you're arriving without a clear itinerary. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can support yourself during the stay | Carry a bank statement or credit card showing access to roughly €50–€100 per day of your stay. Italian border police rarely ask, but they can — and if you look underfunded, they may deny entry. | Recommended |
Schengen 90/180-day rule
Your 90-day allowance applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Italy. If you've already spent time in France, Spain, or any other Schengen country, that counts toward your 90 days. Use the EU's Schengen calculator to track your days.
ETIAS coming soon
From 2025, New Zealanders will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before flying to Italy. It's not a visa — just an online application costing €7, valid for 3 years. Keep an eye on official EU sources for the exact launch date.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Italian border control
At major airports like Rome FCO, Milan MXP, or Venice VCE, join the 'All Passports' or 'Non-EU' queue. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready. The officer will stamp your passport with your entry date.
2
Answer immigration questions
You'll likely be asked: purpose of visit, length of stay, where you're staying, and when you leave. Answer clearly and briefly. If you're visiting multiple Schengen countries, mention your full itinerary.
3
Collect your luggage and exit
After the stamp, proceed to baggage claim then customs. Green channel if you have nothing to declare, red channel if you have goods over the duty-free limit (€430 for air travellers).
Download Italy Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 31, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
For those who need a visa or want to stay longer than 90 days.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity1 year (or up to 5 years for frequent travellers)
Cost€80 (~$87 USD)
Convenient for multiple visits; same fee as single entry.
Long-stay visa (National D visa)
Max stayOver 90 days (up to 1 year)
Validity1 year, renewable
Cost€116 (~$126 USD)
For work, study, family reunification, or other long-term purposes.
work visa
Work Visa (Permesso di Lavoro)
Up to 2 years, renewable
€116 (~$126 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer from an Italian employer. Requires employer sponsorship and quota availability. Allows family reunification.
student visa
Student Visa (Visto per Studio)
Up to 1 year, renewable annually
€50 (~$54 USD) application fee
For enrollment in accredited Italian institutions. Allows part-time work (up to 20 hours/week). Must show proof of funds and health insurance.
digital nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa (Italy)
1 year, renewable
€116 (~$126 USD) application fee
For remote workers with high income (approx. €28,000/year). Requires proof of remote employment, health insurance, and accommodation in Italy.
retirement visa
Elective Residence Visa (Visto per Residenza Elettiva)
1 year, renewable
€116 (~$126 USD) application fee
For retirees with passive income (pension, investments) above a minimum threshold (approx. €31,000/year). No work allowed. Must have health insurance and accommodation.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tourist visa (single entry)For stays beyond 90 days or if visa is required. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Same fee as single entry, but allows multiple entries within validity. | €80 (~$87 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayPenalties vary; overstay may also lead to entry ban. | €50–€100 per day (max €500) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Overstay history20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Italy
No transit visa needed
New Zealand passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes in Italy, even if leaving the airside transit area for a connecting flight.
Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsRome Fiumicino (FCO) · Milan Malpensa (MXP) · Venice Marco Polo (VCE)
Health & vaccines for Italy
Recommended vaccines
Routine vaccines (MMR, DTaP, polio, influenza)EssentialHepatitis ARecommendedHepatitis BRecommendedTyphoidConsiderRabies (for rural/outdoor travellers)Consider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisLow risk
Rare in tourists; risk in forested areas of northern Italy, especially spring to autumn.
Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk
Standard hygiene is good; risk mainly from undercooked seafood or street food.
Air pollution (urban areas)Moderate risk
Major cities like Milan and Rome can have high pollution levels, especially in winter.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Rome
Ufficio Immigrazione – Questura di Roma
Via Teofilo Patini 8, 00168 Roma
Mon–Fri 08:30–13:30
For visa extensions or residence permit issues; bring passport, photos, and proof of funds.
Milan
Ufficio Immigrazione – Questura di Milano
Via Montebello 26, 20121 Milano
Mon–Fri 08:30–13:30
Handle overstay fines and permit renewals; expect long queues.
Practical information for NZ travellers
Country basics
CapitalRome
LanguageItalian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid. IDP recommended.
Money
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.86 EUR
Time zone
Local timeUTC+1
vs New York+6h (EST) / +6h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+9h (PST) / +9h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,F,LType C, F, L — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Safe throughout Italy. 'Acqua del rubinetto' is drinkable.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Italy
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Italy — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No, not as a tourist. The 90-day limit applies to the entire Schengen Area. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a long-stay visa (type D) from the Italian embassy in New Zealand before you travel. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, or a ban from re-entering Schengen.
If you're staying in a hotel or hostel, they handle the registration for you. If you're staying in a private residence (e.g., with friends or Airbnb), the host must declare your presence to the local police within 48 hours. In practice, many hosts do this online. You don't need to go to a police station yourself.
You could be denied boarding by your airline or refused entry at the border. Italian immigration strictly enforces the 6-month rule. Renew your passport before you travel — it's not worth the risk.
Technically, no. The visa-free stay is for tourism and business meetings only. Working remotely for a foreign employer is a grey area — some countries allow it, but Italy hasn't officially clarified. To be safe, don't do any work that benefits an Italian company. For digital nomads, Italy introduced a specific visa in 2024, but that requires a separate application.
No, if you're a New Zealand passport holder transiting through an Italian airport to a non-Schengen destination, you don't need a visa. You stay in the international transit area. But if you need to clear immigration (e.g., to switch airports or stay overnight), the normal 90-day visa-free rules apply.
Report it immediately to the local police (Polizia di Stato) and get a police report. Then contact the New Zealand Embassy in Rome (or the consulate in Milan) to apply for an emergency travel document. The embassy can issue a temporary passport, usually within 1-2 working days. Keep a photocopy or digital scan of your passport separately to speed things up.
No, there is no visa on arrival. New Zealanders get visa-free access for up to 90 days. If you need to stay longer or have a different purpose (e.g., work, study), you must get the appropriate visa from the Italian embassy before you travel.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 31, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.