Essential Travel Tips for UK Visitors to Italy and France
If you are planning a trip to Italy or France, here's crucial advice to ensure a smooth journey. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issues advice for each country for UK travellers - including on entry requirements and more. Here's its current travel advice for UK holidaymakers planning a trip to Italy or France. For full details and more advice if travelling to another country, you can check out thegov.ukwebsite.
Warnings and Insurance
The Jubilee 2025, known as the Holy Year, will take place in Rome from 24 December 2024 to 6 January 2026. The city is expected to be very busy.
Entry Requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. Italy follows Schengen area rules. Your passport must: have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago, and have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa Requirements
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies if you travel: as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training. To stay longer, you must meet the Italian government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with theItalian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Safety and Security
Terrorist attacks in Italy cannot be ruled out. Italian authorities have increased security around some Jewish community sites due to events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Stay aware of your surroundings, stay away from demonstrations and follow the advice of local authorities. Demonstrations can happen with little or no warning in cities. Avoid any protests, political gatherings or marches. The higher number of travellers during the Holy Year could increase levels of petty crime. Crime levels are generally low but there are higher levels of petty crime, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing, in city centres and at major tourist attractions. Thefts from parked cars happen in Rome, particularly in the Colosseum area, Ostia, Milan and Pisa. Thieves also target coastal areas and towns, and motorway service stations. Avoid leaving luggage in your vehicle – even out of sight in the boot – for any length of time. Many major cities in Italy impose a small tax on tourists. You must usually pay this tax at your hotel as it is unlikely to be included in your holiday booking. The rate of tax varies from city to city and can depend on the star rating of the hotel. Hotels often ask for payment in cash. Make sure you get a receipt. For more information, check with the local tourist information office.
Health
In an emergency, dial 118 and ask for an ambulance. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. To get medically necessary state healthcare in Italy, you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). TheNHS’sgetting healthcare abroadhas details on this. You will need to go to a pharmacy to get most over-the-counter medicines. Pharmacies are widely available and are usually identified by a green cross. UK prescriptions are not accepted, though you may be able to buy an equivalent medication from the pharmacy. Alternatively, you can visit an I