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Reader question: Can I travel to Italy if I've had both doses of the Covid vaccine?

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Reader question: Can I travel to Italy if I've had both doses of the Covid vaccine?
Will being vaccinated make travel to Italy possible again? Photo: AFP

Travel into Italy remains heavily restricted, but does it make a difference if you've been fully vaccinated?

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A reader asks: "We're in the USA and haven't been able to travel to our second home for almost a year now. But my wife and I have both had our second dose of the Covid vaccine - so is there an exemption in the travel rules for us?"

Travel into Italy has been heavily restricted for some time, with most travellers from the USA barred since March 2020, while tighter restrictions were placed on travellers from the UK in December.

READ ALSO: Who can travel to Italy at the moment?

All of which means that many second home owners have not seen their properties for many months, while families and couples have also been kept apart by the travel rules.

So does being fully vaccinated - having received both injections - give you a travel exemption?

Unfortunately the answer is no, or not yet anyway.

Several European countries has been discussing the idea of 'vaccine passports' or allowing access to certain services such as travel for those who are fully vaccinated, but at present there are no plans to introduce this. While the idea was embraced by Spain and Greece, Italy has not yet commented.

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As Italy's vaccine rollout is still in its early stages, only the first prority groups - including key workers and over-80s - are being offered the vaccine at the moment.

EXPLAINED

The rules could also vary by Italian region, as the governor of Sardinia has this week suggested that visitors to the popular holiday island be required to show vaccination certificates.

If a vaccine passport scheme is agreed, either at national or regional level, it seems likely this would only be put in place once the general population can be offered the vaccine - currently scheduled for late spring/early summer. 

Italy is due to review its current set of coronavirus restrictions by March 5th, but there has been no indication yet that rules may be relaxed.

Please note that The Local is unable to advise on individual cases. To find the latest information about who is eligible to travel to Italy at the moment, click HERE.

See all our latest updates on the coronavirus situation in Italy HERE.

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Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
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Anonymous 2021/02/24 10:52
Hi, the rules for travel into Italy depend on where you're travelling from as well as on your personal circumstances. See here for the latest information about who is eligible to travel to Italy at the moment: https://www.thelocal.it/20210105/explained-who-can-travel-to-italy-right-now
Anonymous 2021/02/22 11:22
Carmine, my understanding is if you are a resident here then by all means you are allowed back to your Italian home.
Anonymous 2021/02/17 22:44
I am french. My mom is resident in italy since 1974. She is 97 and I have to take care of her for two weeks. Is this ok?
Anonymous 2021/02/17 21:06
Is it safe to assume these restrictions do not apply to persons with dual US/Italy citizenship>

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