Checklist: Which countries can you visit from Italy?

Italy was one of the first countries in Europe to restart international travel, opening up to visitors from within the European Union, Schengen Zone and UK from June 3rd. 

READ ALSO: How Italy has changed its rules on international travel

But until this week, travel options remained limited as Italy's neighbours kept their borders closed. 

That began to change on Monday, June 15th, when many other countries in the EU lifted their bans on non-essential travel. 

People in Italy can now visit those countries freely without having to prove their trip is urgent or quarantining at either end of the journey. The same goes for people living in other countries who want to visit Italy but would previously have had to self-quarantine upon returning home.

But there are still some exceptions to be aware of, even within Europe. Here's the complete list of where you can and can't travel from Italy.

No travel outside Europe until at least July

Forget taking a far-flung holiday in the near future: travel to or from Italy from anywhere that isn't the EU, Schengen Zone or UK remains strictly limited. It is only possible in an emergency, for urgent work reasons, or if you're returning to your country of residence – and anyone entering Italy from outside Europe must quarantine themselves for two weeks after arriving.

According to the Italian Foreign Ministry's Viaggiare Sicuri travel website, those restrictions will remain in place until at least June 30th.

What happens after that remains unclear. The European Commission is recommending that countries consider a "progressive and partial" reopening to non-EU travellers from July 1st, but the Italian government has not yet confirmed which countries it will lift restrictions on first, or when.

READ MORE: 

• When will Americans be allowed to travel to Italy again?
• 'How I managed to travel from the US to Italy during lockdown'

Photo: AFP

The countries in Europe you can visit without any restrictions

Within the EU and Schengen Zone, you can now travel freely between Italy and most other countries.

Here's the list of countries you can currently visit without a quarantine or any other special requirements:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Estonia
• France
• Germany
• Latvia
• Lichtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• The Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Switzerland

You're also free to cross in and out of the microstates of San Marino, Vatican City, Monaco and Andorra. 

And remember, if you have been in a country outside Europe within 14 days of entering Italy – even from an EU or Schengen country – you will have to quarantine for two weeks upon arriving here.

The countries in Europe you can visit with certain requirements

Croatia is open to all EU tourists, but you'll need to show that you've booked accommodation before you arrive. Read more about the situation from the Croatian tourist board.

Greece has also reopened, but if you're arriving on a flight from Italy you'll have to get a coronavirus test on arrival and spend the night in a hotel while you wait for the results. If you test positive, you'll be kept in supervised quarantine for 14 days. 

READ ALSO: Face masks, forms and fewer bags: Italy's new rules on flying

Cyprus allows visitors from countries with a low number of infections ('category A') to enter without restrictions, while people from a handful of other countries ('category B') will be allowed to enter provided they provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of travel, or on arrival if unavailable in the departure country. Italy is currently classed in category B.

Visitors to Iceland must agree to be tested for coronavirus on arrival or observe a two-week quarantine. Travellers must pay for their own test, which will cost you 15,000 Icelandic krona (around €100). 

The UK has a mandatory two-week quarantine for everyone arriving from another country, including Italy. The British government says it will review the policy every three weeks and may introduce exemptions for countries where the transmission rate is low.

READ ALSO: What you need to know about UK quarantine if you're travelling from Europe

Ireland likewise has a 14-day quarantine requirement for anyone entering the country from overseas.

Romania's borders are open to EU travellers, but visitors from countries with a high number of infections – including Italy – have to quarantine for two weeks on arrival. Find the latest list here.

Slovakia has reopened to many EU countries, but at the time of writing Italy was not one of the 19 'safe' countries from where people may travel without a test or quarantine. So if you travel from Italy, you must show a negative coronavirus test from within the previous 96 hours and then get tested again after arrival, self-isolating until you receive the result. Find updates here.

Photo: Miguel Medina/AFP

The countries in Europe you can't visit yet

Malta will reopen to tourists from July 1st, and even then only to certain countries and regions. At the time of writing most travellers from Italy will remain banned, unless they're travelling from the islands of Sicily or Sardinia. For updates, see the Malta tourist board's website.

READ ALSO: Which airlines are restarting flights to Italy in June?

Finland is allowing only essential travel from most other countries, including Italy, until at least July 14th.

Norway also has a ban on almost all foreign tourism. 

Denmark has advised its citizens to avoid unnecessary foreign travel throughout the summer and remains closed to tourists from most other countries, including Italy, until further notice.

Hungary has reopened to a small number of countries but remains closed to most, including Italy. 

Each country's travel advice is subject to change. Check the latest guidance from your government before booking, and be prepared to follow local lockdown rules and safety measures in any country you visit.