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ItalyVisit & tourismLast checked October 16, 2026

Schengen tourist & business visa

short stay, up to 90 days · Official name: Uniform Schengen visa (VSU, type C) for Italy

Italy issues the uniform Schengen short-stay (type C) visa for tourism, business and visits to family or friends, valid for up to 90 days in any 180-day period in all Schengen countries. You apply to Italy when it is your main or only destination, normally in your country of legal residence, using the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 'Il visto per l'Italia' tool. The core rules (fee, insurance, passport and timing) are set by the EU Visa Code and are the same in every Schengen state; Italy sets its own application channels, and sets means of subsistence by a table based on trip length (e.g. EUR 44.93 per day for 6-10 days, one traveller).

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Visiting Italy

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Life in Italy

Money

3

Currency

Euro

EUR

Euro

Cost of living

73

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

23–43%

Income tax (national)

VAT 22%

IRPEF 23% up to EUR 28,000, 33% to EUR 50,000, 43% above; plus regional (about 1.23-3.33%) and municipal (up to 0.8%) surcharges.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.6

#36 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Nationals of countries that need a Schengen visa who want to visit for tourism, business meetings or family and friends, for up to 90 days, with Italy as their main destination.

Eligibility

  • Short stay only

    The type C visa covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.

    • Valid for tourism, business, or visiting family or friends
    • The 180-day period is counted across all Schengen countries together
    Official wording

    The uniform (type C) visa covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, for tourism, business, or visiting family or friends. The 180-day period is counted across all Schengen countries together.

  • Apply to the right country

    Apply to Italy if it is your only or main destination, or if no main one can be set, your first border entry.

    • Main destination is set by length of stay or purpose
    • Otherwise apply to the country whose external border you cross first
    • Several separate trips within two months count together
    Official wording

    Apply to Italy if it is your only destination, or your main destination by length of stay or purpose. If no main destination can be set, apply to the country whose external border you cross first. Several separate trips within two months count together.

  • Apply where you legally live

    As a rule, apply at the Italy consulate (or its service provider or representing country) covering the place where you legally reside. A consulate may accept an application from someone legally present but not resident there only if they justify it.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementPassport
  • Document checklistCompleted and signed Schengen visa application form
  • FeesSchengen visa fee, adult (age 12 and over)

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  • 6 more requirements
  • 10 documents
  • 5 fees
  • 8 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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