COVID-19 travel restrictions for non-EU citizens in Italy

General regulations for travel to and from Italy are contained in the DPCM 2 March 2021 and the 14 May 2021 Order of the Minister of Health, effective 16 May through 30 July 2021.

Ukraine is included in the list of countries classified “E” (Rest of the World). Travel to and from the rest of the world (therefore also to and from Ukraine) is allowed only in the presence of precise reasons, such as: work, health or study reasons, absolute urgency, return to one's domicile, home or residence. Therefore, travel for tourism is not allowed.

Because the Council of Ministers has extended the state of emergency on the national territory until 31 July 2021 with Decree Law no. 52 of 22 April 2021, entry/return to Italy from "E" countries (including Ukraine) from 16 May until 30 July 2021 will be regulated in the following way:

Re-entry/entry into Italy, in case of a stay or transit during the previous 14 days from the group of Countries “E” (including Ukraine) is allowed for Italian/EU/Schengen citizens and their family members, as well as for holders of the status of long-term residents and their family members (Directive 2004/38/EC). The Prime Ministerial Decree of 2 March 2021 also confirms the possibility of entry into Italy, from the countries on List “E” (also Ukraine), for people who have a proven and stable emotional relationship (even if not cohabiting) with Italian/EU/Schengen citizens or individuals who are legally resident in Italy (i.e. long-term residents), who must reach the home/domicile/residence of their partner in Italy.

When entering/returning to Italy from these countries (also from Ukraine), it is mandatory to:

• Complete a self-certification, which will soon be replaced by a digital localisation form. A digital form will be available. In case it is not technically possible to fill out the digital form, paper self-certification can be used. It is advisable to be ready to show any supporting documentation and to answer any questions from the staff in charge of controls.
• Have a certificate attesting the negative result of a molecular or antigenic test, conducted by swab, carried out during the 72 hours prior to entry into Italy, to be shown to anyone in charge of carrying out this verification, as established by Order 14 May 2021.
• Inform the competent local health authority of your entry into Italy.
• Undergo in any case fiduciary isolation and sanitary surveillance. As of 18 April 2021, the surveillance period is reduced to ten days.
• It will only be possible to reach the final destination in Italy by private means. (Airport transit is allowed, without leaving the dedicated areas of the terminal).
• At the end of the ten days of quarantine, an additional molecular or antigenic test, conducted by swab, is mandatory.

Notwithstanding the requirement to complete the self-certification or digital localisation form and in the absence of symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the requirements for molecular or antigenic testing in the previous 48 or 72 hours and, where applicable, the ten-day quarantine with subsequent molecular or antigenic testing shall not apply to the following individuals:

• the crew of means of transportation;
• travelling personnel;
• anyone who enters Italy for a period not exceeding 120 hours for proven needs of work, health or absolute urgency, with the obligation, at the expiry of that period, to leave the national territory immediately or, failing that, to begin the period of surveillance and fiduciary isolation;
• anyone passing through Italian territory by private means for a period not exceeding 36 hours, with the obligation, at the end of that period, to leave the national territory immediately or, failing that, to begin the period of surveillance and fiduciary isolation;
• personnel of companies and bodies with registered or secondary offices in Italy for journeys abroad for proven work requirements lasting no more than 120 hours;
• officials and agents (whatever their titles) of the EU or international organisations, agents, diplomatic agents, administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions, consular officials and employees, military personnel, including those returning from international missions, and police force personnel, personnel of the Information System for the Security of the Republic and the Fire Brigade in the performance of their duties;
• pupils and students attending a course of study in a country other than their country of residence, home or residence, to which they return daily or at least once a week.

Therefore, based on the above, the possession of a certificate of vaccination for entry into Italy from Ukraine does not yet seem decisive. We suggest a constant monitoring of developments.

For more information, refer to the following links:

• http://www.viaggiaresicuri.it/approfondimenti-insights/saluteinviaggio
• https://www.esteri.it/mae/it/ministero/normativaonline/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-frequenti/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia.html