Italy

Petty crime is common, particularly in the summer and autumn tourist seasons. It includes bag snatching, pick-pocketing, passport theft and theft from cars.

Thieves are most active:

• in larger cities
• in and around major tourist spots
• churches and places of worship
• in parked cars
• on public transport
• at major airports
• at railway stations and bus terminals
• at beaches (including cars parked near beaches)
• at hotel reception areas 

To reduce the risk of theft:

• take care of your belongings
• remain alert in tourist spots
• avoid walking in quiet and poorly lit streets, especially at night

Monitor local sources for advice about new safety or security risks.

Theft from cars

Vehicle break-in and theft is common. Many Australians have had belongings, including passports and other valuables stolen from their parked cars. Avoid leaving luggage in your car for any length of time.

Large tour buses and campervans on busy streets are routinely targeted. 

There are reports of thieves slashing tyres and staging roadside emergencies. They aim to persuade drivers to pull over and get out of their cars. While the driver is distracted, the thieves steal personal belongings.

Popular targets for thieves include:

• in the streets near historic sites
• car parks near beaches, coastal areas and shopping malls
• rest stops and service stations
• camping sites.

To reduce your risk of theft from your vehicle:

• don't leave valuables or bags that are visible in your vehicle
• when you leave your vehicle, lock all doors
• use a secure parking facility, especially overnight.

Theft on trains

Theft is common on trains, including to and from Fiumicino airport near Rome and on overnight journeys.

Thieves often work in groups to distract victims and rob them while they're not looking.

On trains, they do this by:

• asking for directions while a train is stopped at a station
• dropping attractive items on the floor of the train
• blocking the view of overhead luggage racks
• throwing rubbish or sauce at the victim

Often, a member of the group will pretend to come to help the victim while others steal their valuables.

Check the Italian Public Security System site Polizia Di Stato for advice on how to avoid theft on trains.

Fraud and fake money

Credit card and ATM fraud happens, often involving 'skimming' machines. Monitor your bank statements.

To protect yourself from fraud:

• use ATMs in secure places, such as banks, shops and shopping centres
• keep your ATM and credit cards in sight

Police have warned that counterfeit European currency is in circulation. Check any notes you receive.

Kidnapping 

Kidnapping can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk.

The Australian Government’s longstanding policy is that it doesn’t make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

• Kidnapping

Cyber security 

Drink spiking

Tourists have been robbed and assaulted after consuming spiked food or drinks. This has happened in cities and towns, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Sardinia and Naples.

Some victims have been sexually assaulted or needed hospitalisation.

In Rome, many incidents have taken place:

• around Termini station
• in tourist areas, such as the Colosseum
• in bars and restaurants in the city centre 

In Milan, such attacks happen in bars, nightclubs and other late-night venues.

In Florence and Naples, these attacks happen mainly near train stations and in bars and cafes in the city centres.

Methanol poisoning

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent and spark violent unrest, demonstrations and riots.

To protect yourself from violence and unrest:

• avoid crowds and protests if you can
• monitor local media for possible unrest
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Protests and civil unrest

Strikes

Strikes are common across Italy.

They can cause building closures, particularly in tourist areas. They also regularly disrupt public transport, including air, shipping, train, bus, tram and taxi services.

Strikes may involve roadblocks and petrol station closures and can cause transport delays and cancellations.

Trenitalia (Italian) gives details on train disruptions. Call 89 20 21 in Italy or +39 0668745475 from outside Italy.

To avoid transport delays or missing flights:

• confirm flights or travel with your travel provider
• allow plenty of time for travel to airports and train stations

Political-based violence

Some violence occurs due to domestic social or political issues.

Bombings have occurred. Bombers have targeted:

• Italian police
• the offices of well-known politicians
• government institutions
• public and commercial buildings

Terrorism is a threat worldwide. Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. 

Possible targets include:

• places of worship or religious holidays
• hotels, clubs, restaurants and cafes
• markets and shopping malls
• outdoor recreation events, including festivals, concerts, and sporting venues
• public transport, airports and railway hubs

To stay safe:

• report suspicious activities or items to the police
• check the media for new threats
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the instructions of local authorities

If there’s a terrorist incident, leave the area if it’s safe to do so and follow the instructions of local authorities. 

More information:

• Terrorism

Italy experiences natural disasters and severe weather.

In the event of a natural disaster:

• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities
• monitor the media
• keep in touch with friends and family

Forest fires

Forest fires often occur during summer, usually from June to September. They tend to happen in heavily forested regions. Wildfires can reach major towns during extreme conditions. 

Forest fires can be unpredictable and dangerous. They can affect air quality in a way that harms your health.

Monitor the media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities. Visit the Italian Civil Protection Authority website for more information.

Storms and flooding

Heavy winter rains often cause widespread flooding and mudslides.

The areas most often affected are:

• the Veneto, Piedmont and Liguria regions in the north
• the Calabria and Sicily regions in the south

Flooding and mudslides can result in loss of life, destruction of property and evacuation of inhabitants.

Earthquakes

Italy is in an active seismic region and has several earthquakes each year.

Large earthquakes can cause landslides and avalanches. This can result in injuries, death and damage to infrastructure, homes and property.

When travelling in Italy, find out your hotel's earthquake procedure.

If there's been seismic activity in the area you're in or going to, check with your airline or travel provider about disruptions.

More information:

• Earthquaketrack.com
• Civil Protection authority
• European Avalanche Warning Service

Volcanoes

Italy has active volcanoes. These include:

• Mount Etna in Sicily
• Mount Stromboli and Mount Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands chain north of Sicily

Volcanic activity can cause travel disruptions, including temporary airport closures. 

Fatalities have occurred from volcanic eruptions.

More information:

• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Measles

Italy has experienced outbreaks of measles. Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel.

More information:

• Measles immunisation service

Insect and tick-borne diseases

West Nile virus (WNV), dengue and chikungunya virus cases have been reported in Italy.

Tick-borne encephalitis is a risk in forested and rural areas. They are active from May to October.

To reduce your risk of insect and tick-borne disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• check your body for ticks during and after visiting forests
• remove ticks as soon as possible, making sure to remove the whole tick
• vaccinate yourself against dengue and chikungunya virus

Ask your doctor about health risks and vaccines before you go.

More information

• Infectious diseases

Medical facilities in major cities are of good standard. In regional areas, facilities may be limited.

In smaller cities, you may be expected to bring your own necessities, including hygiene items, towels, toilet paper, cutlery and bottled water. 

Reciprocal Health Care Agreement

There's a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and Italy.

Under this agreement, you can get care in Italian public medical facilities if:

• you have a sudden acute illness or accident
• your illness or accident happens in your first six months in Italy

To access care under this agreement, you must provide your Medicare card and Australian passport.

The Reciprocal Health Care Agreement doesn't replace the need for private travel health insurance.

It also doesn't cover treatment for ongoing health conditions you already had when you arrived.

Private medical care

Private doctors, specialists and diagnostic services will ask you to pay up-front.

Private hospitals generally require a large deposit before they will start treatment.

When you travel to another country, you must follow their laws. Even if they seem strict compared to Australia's. Before you go, learn about the local laws in that country.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when we can help if you're arrested overseas. We can't get you out of trouble or out of jail. Understand our limits. Read the Consular Services Charter.

De facto relationships

Italy doesn't recognise any form of de facto relationship. If a person dies while in Italy, local authorities may not formally recognise their de facto partner as next-of-kin.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe and can include long jail sentences.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Conduct at tourist spots

Pay attention to signs about conduct around tourist areas in major cities, including Rome and Florence.

Officials may fine you for littering, sitting, eating or drinking on steps and courtyards around churches and public buildings or in public spaces in these cities.

Alcohol laws

Some cities, including Rome, have banned:

• organised pub crawls
• drinking on the street
• drinking in public places

Police have arrested Australians for disturbing the peace under these laws.

Other laws

It's illegal to:

• block the pedestrian flow in public spaces
• drive without headlights on main roads outside urban areas or on highways (see 'Local travel')
• buy fake brands and products from illegal street vendors
• litter

If you want to take a photo of an official building or military area, check with local authorities first.

Some Australian laws still apply even if you’re in another country. You could be charged in Australia if you break these laws overseas.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual nationality is recognised in Italy.

More information:

• Advice for dual nationals

Italy is part of the Schengen area, along with many other European countries, which means you can enter Italy without a visa in some cases.

If, for unexpected reasons, you can't return to Australia or leave Italy before your visa-free limit expires, contact the nearest local immigration office ('questura') in Italy.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Italian embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Border with Slovenia

Temporary border checks have been introduced at Italy's borders with Slovenia. Allow extra time when crossing the land border between Italy and Slovenia and be ready to show your passport or residency card if you're asked to do so by the border police. Checks may also involve vehicle inspections.

The new European Union's (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) for registering all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area, has started.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.

After it is fully implemented, EES registration will replace the current system of manually stamping passports. ​

The registration process should only take a few minutes but there may be longer border queues when the new system starts.

When travelling into and out of the Schengen area, for short stays, you may need to 

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions

This creates a digital record that registers your biometric details.

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide either your fingerprint or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

If you frequently travel to Schengen areas for work and/or leisure purposes, you must ensure that your total stay in the Schengen area is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. Be aware of immigration penalties and enforcement for exceeding the limit in any individual country you plan to travel to or through.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Before you travel, contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details on entry requirements .

More information:

• Visas and entry requirements in Europe and the Schengen Area

Validity

Lost or stolen passport

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

The official currency of Italy is the euro (EUR).

You must declare amounts over 10,000 euro or equivalent if you're travelling between Italy and any non-European Union (EU) country, including all forms of currency, not just cash.

You don't need to declare cash if you're travelling to or from another EU country.

You'll be fined if you don't declare currency or give incorrect information on entry or exit.

ATMs are widely available across the country. Hotels, restaurants and shops accept international credit cards.

2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games will be held in northern Italy from 6 to 22 February, followed by the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympic Games from 6 to 15 March. Events will be held across eight cities in Lombardy and Northeast Italy, including Milan and Verona.

If you plan to attend:

• book accommodation, transportation and event tickets well in advance
• give yourself extra time to travel between locations. Roads and public transportation services may be impacted by winter weather or increased demand
• follow local advice, authorities may direct you to use specific vehicle entry and exit routes
• expect large crowds and longer wait times for transport and venue entry
• only purchase event tickets through the official Milan Cortina 2026 website or reputable resale services.

For more information, visit the official Milan Cortina 2026 website for calendar events, venue details and ticket sales. You can also visit our major sporting events for more advice on travelling for sporting events.

Winter Sports

If you plan to participate in snow sports, visit our sports and adventure page for safety information and tips, and check whether your insurance covers these activities.

Tourist Tax

Several cities in Italy impose a 'tourist tax' per person for each night of stay. You pay this directly to your accommodation provider, and it's often requested as a cash payment. 

Driving permit

If you're not a resident, you'll need both:

• an Australian driver's licence (digital driver’s licences may not be accepted)
• an International Drivers Permit (IDP) or an official translation of the Australian licence

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.

You must get an official translator (traduttore giurato) to translate your licence in Italy. Find a list of official translators in the Italian Yellow Pages.

If you take up legal residence (residenza) and stay more than 1 year, you must apply for an Italian licence. Italy doesn't allow you to convert your Australian licence, meaning you'll have to take written and driving exams in Italian. You can do the exam in German or French in some cases.

Contact an Italian embassy or consulate to find out about obtaining an Italian driver's licence.

Road travel

Driving can be dangerous. Driving conditions are disorganised compared to Australia.

By law, you must use headlights on main roads outside urban areas and highways, including during the day.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Traffic restricted zones

Limits on car access to the city centres exist to help reduce traffic. They are traffic-restricted zones (ZTL). Be aware that:

• ZTLs and their hours of operation vary from city to city
• fines apply if cars don't carry a ZTL pass in a ZTL zone
• hire cars usually don't have a ZTL pass

If you're staying in the centre of an Italian city, ask your hotel or host about traffic restrictions. You can also check the website of the relevant municipality (comune) before you arrive.

Driving in summer and winter

You must use snow tyres or chains in some mountainous regions or areas where snow is common.

Road signs will indicate if they are mandatory.

Authorities may fine you if you don't have the right snow gear for your car.

In summer, only residents can take their cars to the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

Motorcycles

Check whether your insurance covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike, or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Only travel in licensed taxis with signage, roof lights and meters.

Unauthorised taxis don't carry meters and can overcharge.

Public transport

There are frequent strikes that cause delays and cancellations to public transport services.

Pre-paid tickets are available from tobacconists or coffee shops that display the public transport company's logo/name. They are also sometimes available for purchase through a smartphone app. 

You'll find ticket machines at every metro and major train station. 

In some cities, you may purchase a ticket using contactless card payment immediately upon boarding a bus or metro. 

When catching public transport, validate your ticket:

• before boarding a train or a metro
• on board a bus or tram as soon as you get on

If you don't, you could get an on-the-spot fine.

More information:

• Transport and getting around safely

Air travel

Check Italy's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network. 

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Call 112 for emergency assistance, or:

Fire and rescue services

Call 115.

Medical emergencies

Call 118.

Police

Call 113.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

The Australian Government aims to provide high quality consular assistance. There are limits to what we can do. Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how we can assist you overseas.

For consular help, contact:

Australian Embassy Rome

Via Antonio Bosio 5
00161 Rome, Italy 

Phone: +39 06 85 2721
Email: consular-rome@dfat.gov.au
Website: italy.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australian Embassy, Italy 
X: @AusAmbItaly

Australian Consulate-General Milan

3rd Floor
Via Borgogna 2
20122 Milan, Italy 

Phone: +39 02 7767 4200
Email: consular-milan@austrade.gov.au
Website: www.austrade.gov.au/en/contact-us/international-offices/italy

Check the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia