Whether you're coming to Italy on holiday or packing up all your worldly goods to move here, it’s a good idea to brush up on what you can and cannot bring across the border, as well as being aware of the key travel documents you’re required to have.
Paperwork
Let's start with the basics – yourself and your travel documents.
You will need a valid passport to enter Italy (or an ID card if you’re an EU/EEA citizen), and if you are travelling on a non-EU passport, it must have at least three months' validity from your intended departure date.
READ ALSO: Moving to Italy: How much will an Italian visa cost you?
Non-EU nationals can also be asked at the border for proof of accommodation in Italy, proof of financial means and either a return ticket or the money to buy one. In practice, it's rare for these to be requested, but officials do have the right to ask.
Depending on how long you intend to stay, non-EU nationals may also need a visa.
From October 12th, you may also face additional formalities due to the EU's new Entry & Exit System.
Luggage
Firstly, your luggage needs to comply with the security regulations set by the airport you’re travelling from – so no sharp objects and certainly no explosive substances on the plane.
While most airports still have a 100ml limit on liquids carried in hand luggage, some have now removed this restriction thanks to new hi-tech security scanners.
READ ALSO: Five major Italian airports scrap 100ml liquid limit for hand baggage
If you’re travelling from Edinburgh or Birmingham airport in the UK, for example, you can now bring up to two-litre containers of liquids with you (bear in mind that you may still be subject to the 100ml rule on leaving Italy, depending on which airport you travel from).
Besides these rules, there are certain things that cannot be brought into Italy, especially if you are travelling from a non-EU country such as the UK or the US.
Meat, cheese or milk – If you're coming from a non-EU country, certain animal products are banned outright: namely milk, meat, cheese and any product derived from them. This includes items such as chocolate (milk), biscuits (butter) or jelly sweets (gelatine).
Meanwhile, you are allowed to bring limited quantities of fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, egg products and honey, fish and fish products, and up to 2 kilogrammes of sealed baby or pet food.
It's worth noting that the UK also currently has temporary restrictions on imports of meat and cheese from the EU due to agricultural disease outbreaks.
Medication – Italy doesn’t have any restrictions when it comes to bringing in non-prescription medication (such as paracetamol) for personal use.
If you're bringing in prescription medication, it's best to have it in its original packaging and have the prescription with you.
If you have more than 30 days’ worth of medication with you, border officials can ask you to show them your prescription, which should include the prescribed dosage.
For highly controlled substances, it’s a good idea to carry official documentation clearly showing the country and place of issue, the issuing authority, the prescribing physician and patient, and the dosage.
Be aware that certain drugs (especially opioid painkillers) are banned altogether in Italy, even if they are legally prescribed in your home country.
Alcohol and cigarettes – There are limits on the amounts of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into Italy from abroad for personal use.
When entering Italy from outside the EU (or travelling from Italy to a non-EU country), you can bring any one of the following: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.
As for alcohol, you can bring four litres of still wine and 16 litres of beer, plus one litre of spirits over 22 percent volume or one litre of undenatured alcohol (ethyl alcohol) of 80 percent or more volume or two litres of fortified or sparkling wine.
The limits are much higher for people travelling to Italy from another EU country; in this case, you can bring 90 litres of wine and 110 litres of beer, plus ten litres of spirits over 22 percent volume or 20 litres of spirits under 22 percent volume.
Smokers, meanwhile, can bring any one of 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, or 1 kilogram of tobacco.
Drugs – All recreational drugs are illegal in Italy.
Following a June 2025 government decree, even so-called ‘light’ cannabis (i.e., cannabis with very low levels of THC) is now banned in Italy.
Cash – There is a limit to the amount of cash you can bring with you.
Anything more than €10,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) must be declared to customs officials.
The requirement applies to people travelling to or from both EU and non-EU countries – so you’re subject to it whether you’re entering Italy from (for example) France or Canada.
READ ALSO: How much cash can you travel with to Italy?
Pets – Cats, dogs and ferrets who are resident in an EU country need a European pet passport to enter Italy.
Those travelling from a non-EU country to Italy need an official health certificate certifying that they are up to date on key vaccines such as rabies. A new certificate is required for each trip.
READ ALSO: Can I bring my pet from the US into Italy?
If you are bringing your pet on a plane, the airline may have additional requirements for travel.
Additional rules apply if you want to bring other animals – such as a bird or turtle – into the country.
Household goods – If you're entering Italy from outside the EU, items with a collective value of more than €430 are subject to customs taxes and duties.
If you’re relocating to Italy, however, you can claim a duty exemption on your household items.
Remember: you must have been living outside the EU for at least the last 12 months to benefit from this and will need to complete customs paperwork in advance.
You can find more information here.
Drones – It's not illegal to bring a drone into Italy, but be aware that Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority has strict rules on their use.
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