EXPLAINED: What are the rules on travel between Italy and the UK?

EXPLAINED: Who can travel to Italy right now?

Here’s a detailed look at the current rules on travel between the two countries.

Travel to Italy from the UK:

(See the bottom of the page for information on travel to the UK from Italy)

Italy was among the countries which closed their borders to travellers from the UK in late December during the 'mutant Covid' scare.

Entry to Italy is still not allowed if you have been in or transited through the UK within the past 14 days, with the exception of those who are legally resident in Italy - whether or not they are Italian citizens - and those with essential reasons for travel, such as for work.

“Until March 5th, entry into Italy from the UK is currently only permitted for those with official residency in Italy or those with absolute necessity, which must be declared in writing,” the UK government’s website states.

Those allowed to enter Italy from the UK will be required to take two coronavirus tests - one before and one after the flight - and to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine after arriving in Italy.

What proof of residency is needed?

“If you are a UK national resident in Italy, we advise carrying proof of your residence when entering Italy,” the UK government states on its website, without giving further details.

The Italian government has not specified which documents are required to prove residency, leading to some confusion.

“Our advice is to carry your passport and an attestazione of registration in the anagrafe,” Citizens’ rights group British in Italy told The Local. 

This could be your residency certificate or the 'WA attestazione' form.

“If you are resident but do not have an attestazione yet because you only arrived recently, then take as much proof of residence as possible - employment contract, letting agreement, airline tickets, utility bills, etc,” British in Italy advised.

Italy's British residents cannot use their Italian ID cards as travel documents..

Some residents of Italy have reported being barred from boarding flights from the UK to Italy, apparently due to confusion among airlines about the paperwork required to prove Italian residency.

The British government recommends that travellers check requirements with their airline before flying.

Coronavirus testing and quarantine requirements

Italy requires all arrivals from the UK to show a negative test result, taken no more than 72 hours before travel, as well as to undergo a second swab test on arrival in Italy, and a 14-day period of mandatory quarantine.

Those who are eligible to enter italy must be able to show two negative test results.

A molecular or antigen swab test must be carried out in the 72 hours prior to entering Italy, the Italian consulate in London stated.

Photo: AFP

If arriving in Italy by plane, another test needs to be carried out at the airport. If you travel by car you must contact the health authority in the region you are in to arrange a test.

“Whatever the result of the two swab tests, those arriving in Italy from the UK must also report to their local health authorities on arrival and must self-isolate for 14 days,”  the UK government website states.

“Everyone arriving in Italy must also call the Covid-19 helpline for the region you are travelling within 48 hours.”

All travellers to Italy also need to download and complete a self-declaration form from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travel.

You must give this form to your airline or to the border police if you are stopped for checks.

Brexit rule changes

The UK government has chosen to end freedom of movement for people from the EU and therefore its own citizens as a result, so changes to travel rules began on January 1st 2021.

These changes impact certain passport validity, border checks, EHIC cards and of course entry requirements.

Before December 31st, British nationals could travel freely throughout Europe and only needed to make sure their passport was valid for the duration of their trip.

On its website, the UK government states that British residents of Italy now need to show proof that they live there.

“From 1 January 2021, UK Nationals, resident in Italy by 31 December 2020, will need to show proof of residence when re-entering Italy.”

“This could include an identity card, a registration certificate or a utility bill in your name.”

Passport rules and border checks

"From January 1st 2021, you must have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland)," the UK government says.

This requirement "does not apply if you are entering or transiting" your EU country of residence, however. So Britons returning to their homes in France, Spain, Germany etc in the New Year should be able to enter if they have less than six months validity on their passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay.

READ ALSO: Do Britons returning to the EU need to worry if their passports are stamped?

"You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. Your passport may be stamped for visits to these countries," the UK government says.

The British Embassy in Rome told British nationals resident in Italy to show residency documents if border officials attempt to stamp their passports.

Travel from Italy to the UK

If you’re travelling back to the UK from Italy, restrictions also apply.

The UK on January 8th announced a testing requirement for all arrivals.

The requirement covers all travellers into the country, including British citizens, with only a small number of exemptions. 

The test must have been taken in the 72 hours prior to travel.

One aspect of the regulation has caused concern among Brits in Italy this week and no doubt in other countries.

"Your test result must be in either English, French or Spanish. Translations will not be accepted, and you must provide the original test result certificate," reads the government rule.

The British Embassy in Rome confirmed to The Local that results in Italian are not accepted.

READ ALSO: Travellers to UK told Covid test results cannot be in Italian

Photo: AFP

The Embassy spokesperson was not able to give any specific information about test centres providing English-language results in Italy, but recommended that travellers check this list of labs which deliver Covid-19 tests in Italy as well as the Italian Health Ministry website.

The UK government says the result must include the following information:

• your name, which should match the name on your travel documents

• your date of birth or age

• the result of the test

• the date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider

• the name of the test provider and their contact details

• the name of the test device

"If the test result does not include this information you may not be able to board, and may not be able to travel to England. If you arrive without a test result that includes this information, you will be committing a criminal offence and could receive a £500 fine."

"Your test result can be provided as a physical, printed document, or via email or text message, which you can show on your phone. Make sure that your device is charged."

For more information click here.

People arriving with a negative test result will still have to quarantine for 10 days after arrival, according to the government.

People arriving into the UK will still have to fill in the contact locator form before arriving at the border. You can find the form here.

Are there flights available?

Italy initially imposed a ban on all air traffic from the UK in response to the discovery of the new coronavirus variant in December. As a result, flights in both directions were cancelled.

The Italian government has since allowed flights to resume. However, with few people currently allowed to enter Italy from the UK, demand for flights is greatly reduced.

This means airlines are now operating a limited schedule on UK-Italy routes, and travellers report far higher prices than normal.

While it is possible to book flights, airlines are not allowing passengers to board flights from the UK to Italy if they do not meet the Italian entry requirements (see top of page).