Italy – COVID-19: Easing Restrictions, EU / Non-EU COVID Certificates on Vaccinations

Changes for Countries/Territories Included in List D and Canada, Japan, USA | Travel Restrictions: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Brazil | COVID-19 Green Pass 

At the end of August 2021, the Italian government approved further laws necessary to adjust to the developing national and global situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Changes for countries and territories on “List D”*¹ – including Canada, Japan, and the United States of America (“USA”) as well as for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Brazil – applied starting from 31 August 2021 and go until 25 October 2021.

Moreover, Italy is now accepting certain COVID certificates issued by other states outside the European Union (EU).

* Albania, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, Qatar, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (included Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, British bases in Cyprus), Republic of Korea, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, United States of America, Ukraine, Taiwan (R.O.C.), Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

The new measures ease some restrictions that are still in force; however, the travel situation remains fluid as different variants of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerge.

A “Green Pass” has been introduced to allow people to travel across the EU, which should enhance mobility, having, it

is expected, a positive impact on daily life and business. 

Travelling abroad and back to Italy from abroad continues to be possible, though dependent on the country of origin and on that country’s local situation.  Quarantine restrictions have been lightened for both international trips from EU countries and from some non-EU countries.

The new rules introduce some changes for the countries and territories noted in List D, with the submission to the carrier at the time of boarding of the issued COVID-19 Certificate (Green Pass or equivalent) and the submission of a PCR test or a rapid antigen test administered by swab, and with negative results demonstrated, within 72 hours (reduced to 48 hours for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and British bases in Cyprus)) prior to entering Italy’s national territory – such travellers are no longer required to quarantine/ self-isolate on arrival in Italy.

For those coming from Canada, Japan, and the USA, besides presenting the Passenger Locator Form and the issued COVID-19 Certificate (EU Green Pass or equivalent certificate from the USA, Canada, or Japan), from now on, travellers will have to present to the carrier at the time of boarding and to any person empowered to carry out checks, the results of a PCR test or a rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours prior to entering Italian national territory done through swab,  and the results must be negative.²

A very recent rule from the Ministry of Health allows travellers who come to Italy from India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, and those who were in one of these countries in the 14 days before travelling on condition that they do not manifest symptoms of COVID-19, to enter the country, but only for the following reasons:

• study purposes;
• to reach their place of residence established prior to this decree;
• to reach the domicile, home, or residence of minor children, or spouse.

Moreover, in order to be allowed entry into Italy’s national territory for urgent reasons of necessity, prior authorisation from Italy’s Ministry of Health will be required.²

Those who can come back from such countries need to inform the local health-care authorities in Italy, take a PCR test, self-isolate for 10 days, and take a new PCR test at the end of the self-isolation period.     

Entry from Brazil under the conditions currently in force (negative test within 72 hours of entry, test on arrival, 10-day self-isolation, and test at the end of the isolation period) is also permitted for study reasons. 

In parallel with the EU authorities, Italy has been developing a COVID-19 “Green Pass” to improve mobility across the EU.  (For related coverage of developments at the EU level, see the following issues of GMS Flash Alert: 2021-226 (31 August 2021) and 2021-185 (28 June 2021).)

Moreover, now it is possible for Italian citizens (including those resident abroad) and their cohabiting relatives who

have been vaccinated abroad against SARS-CoV-2 or who have recovered from COVID-19 abroad, to request the issuance of the COVID-19 Green Pass for having received the vaccination or for having recovered from COVID-19, following certain criteria establish by law.³

In regard to the other countries, vaccine certifications and certifications of recovery issued by third states will be accepted by the Italians as being equivalent following certain criteria establish by law.⁴

Starting from 6 August, the Green Pass is necessary on Italian national territory to enter:

• indoor restaurants;
• shows, events, sporting events;
• museums, institutions, cultural places;
• gyms, pools, wellness centres, spas, theme and amusements parks, cultural and leisure centres, gambling halls and casinos;
• trade fairs, congresses, and conferences.

Starting from 1 September, the Green Pass will be necessary to board:

• planes;
• ships and ferries for inter-regional transport (excluding connections in the Strait of Messina);
• Inter-city and high-speed trains;
• buses for inter-regional transport;
• bus rental services with driver.

With COVID-19 still affecting the entire world and with the rise of mutating variants, Italy’s government recognises the continuing need to combat COVID-19 and prevent further contagion.  Meanwhile the vaccine campaign aims at reaching as many people per day as possible, while Italy’s economy tries to revive from the shock and downturn of the pandemic. 

1  List of countries and territories in “Elenco D.”  For the text (in Italian) see: Viaggiare Sicuri published on the website of the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internationale (Italy’s Foreign Affairs ministry).

2  Ministero della Salute Ordinanza del 28 Agosto 2021. For the text (in Italian), see: https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2021/08/30/21A05193/sg.

3  Ministero della Salute Circolare del 4 Agosto 2021. For the text (in Italian), see: https://www.esteri.it/mae/resource/doc/2021/08/circolare_dgc_per_vaccinati_o_guariti_allestero.pdf.

4  Ministero della Salute Circolare del 30 Luglio 2021. For the text (in Italian) see: https://www.esteri.it/mae/resource/doc/2021/07/circolare_equipollenza_certificazioni_vaccini_e_guarigione_stati_terzi.pdf.

*  Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not offer immigration services or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Italy.