Travel to Italy

Italy: Various travel information

Formalities, visas

Germans, Swiss and Austrians can enter Italy with a valid passport or a valid ID card that has not been valid for a year. Children’s ID cards are recognized. Children under the age of 16 can enter if they are entered on a parent’s passport. Individuals under the age of 15 traveling alone should also carry a police-certified declaration of consent from their parents or legal guardians. Italy is part of the Schengen area, so that regular border controls with the states of the EU are no longer applicable.

People who need a visa can get it at the following address.

Issuing visas in Germany

Visa department at the Embassy of Italy

Hiroshimastraße 1

10785 Berlin

Tel: +49 (0) 30 – 25 44 00

Import and export of foreign currency

The national currency is the euro = 100 cents. When entering and leaving Italy, an amount of cash in excess of 10,000 euros must be declared.

Import and export of goods The import and export of weapons, ammunition or explosives is strictly prohibited. In addition, the import and export of plants and animals that are protected under the Washington Species Protection Act is prohibited. Violation can result in severe penalties.

How do you get to Italy?

From Germany you can reach Italy by car, bus and train, but the fastest and inexpensive way with the so-called low-cost airlines, of course, by plane.

Mont Blanc Tunnel

The approximately 11.6 km long tunnel, which consists of only one tube, connects the places Courmayeur in Italen with Chamonix on the French side. The tunnel gained notoriety worldwide on March 24th when a major fire broke out here, killing 39 people.

Arrival by train

Detailed information on train connections from Germany to numerous cities in Italy can be found under the following link:

https://reiseauskunft.bahn.de

Arrival by bus

An inexpensive and comfortable journey from Germany to numerous cities in Italy is by long-distance bus:

https://www.flixbus.de/busverbindungen

Travel in the country

Air connections

Italy’s international airports are Ancona, Bologna, Catania, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Perugia, Pisa, Rome, Trieste, Turin, Venice and Verona, with Milan and Rome being the most popular airports.

Rail

The Italian rail network is around 20,000 km long.

Since October 2008, dogs weighing more than 6 kilograms are no longer allowed on the country’s railways. Animals up to 6 kilograms in weight must also be transported in a cage and must have a veterinary certificate that excludes infectious diseases. Violations can be punished with fines of 100 €.

Bus Bus

transport in Italy is well developed. Intercity buses connect the individual regions of Italy with each other, as well as the country with its neighbors.

Roads

The Italian road network is approx. 655,000 km long, with excellent motorways, which, with the exception of the large cities, are subject to tolls. The motorway network covers a total of 6,740 km. The background color for signs relating to motorways is green – in contrast to the blue motorway signs in Germany. And the signage of country roads, which is yellow in Germany, is carried out with blue signs in Italy.

For those interested, it should be noted that the world’s first motorway was opened between Milan and Como in 1924.

Car rental

All known car rental companies are located in Italy. When renting a car or motorcycle (Vespa), however, a few rules should be observed in order to avoid avoidable trouble and avoidable costs as far as possible:

Compare the prices in the selected country of travel before you set off – for example on the Internet or via the local automobile clubs. It is also often advisable to book in your home country. In addition to the national language, all agreements should at least also be available in English – unless you speak and understand the national language. The total price, including all additional costs – such as taxes, fees and insurance – must be clearly visible. The liability sum should be at least € 1 million – preferably more. A fully comprehensive insurance without excess should be taken out. Existing defects in the vehicle should be listed in writing in the contract – afterwards, in the event of a conflict, often no one remembers any verbal information or agreements. It should be noted in writing whether the car must be returned with a full tank. And of course it has to be clarified where and at what times the car can or must be returned at the end.

Emergency call

In the event of an accident or other problems with your car or motorcycle, you can get information and help at the following numbers:

Tel.: 039 210 41

Mobile: 0039 – 039 210 41

You can contact ADAC 24 hours a day in Munich at the following number:

0049 – (0) 89 – 22 22 22

Ferry

connections Ferry connections to and from mainland Italy exist from Greece, Corfu, Albania, Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, Tunisia, Elba, Croatia and France.

Traffic rules

In Italy, it is well known that traffic is on the right. In order to avoid trouble, one should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. The maximum speeds shown can of course be reduced or increased by traffic signs. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the traffic clubs in Italy.

Maximum speeds

In addition to the general speed limits shown, the speed limits indicated by signs must be strictly observed. Those who drive too fast can expect considerable fines that have to be paid immediately on the spot – otherwise there is a risk of temporary confiscation. If the speed limit is exceeded, the driver’s license can be withdrawn immediately for up to 12 months. Checks are to be expected especially on the Brenner motorway – where in some parts of Italy only 60 km/h are allowed.

In the period from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., a third will be added to the amount of the other fine.

  • Urban: in built-up areas there is a speed limit of 50 km/h
  • Country roads: there is a speed limit of 90 km/h on country roads
  • Expressways: on some special expressways there is a speed limit of 110 km/h
  • Motorways: there is a speed limit of 130 km/h on motorways

Special regulations

Parking on curbs marked in black and yellow is prohibited. Blue stripes on the curbs indicate paid parking spaces, white stripes indicate free parking spaces.

The lights of motorcycles must always be switched on when driving. In Italy, tolls are compulsory on the motorways with the exception of the vicinity of large cities. There are no vignettes such as in Austria or Switzerland. The toll is paid directly at the numerous toll stations.

On motorways and outside built-up areas, dipped headlights must always be used, even during the day when the sun is shining.

When driving over the Brenner, you need winter tires from November 15th to April 15th – regardless of the weather conditions.

Blood

alcohol limit In Italy there is a blood alcohol limit of 0.5 per mille for drivers of motor vehicles. The same rule applies to drivers of motorcycles.

In the event of violations, fines of up to € 2,000 are due, and the driver’s license can also be withdrawn. Prison sentences of up to one month are also possible. In the case of alcohol-related accidents, long prison sentences can even be imposed.

If it is more than 1.5 per mille, the vehicle will be confiscated and will become the property of the Italian state without compensation!

Small traffic phrasebook

Below you will find a number of important Italian terms for road traffic participants in alphabetical order:

  • attenzione = attention
  • autostrada = motorway
  • accendere i fari = switch on the light
  • area servizio = petrol station and rest area on motorways
  • autogrill = rest stop on the Autobahn
  • centro = (city) center
  • coda = traffic jam
  • caduta sassi = falling rocks
  • catene da neve = snow chains
  • deviazione = diversion
  • disco orario = parking disc
  • distanza di sicurezza = safety distance
  • distributore = gas station
  • divieto di acesso = Access or entry prohibited
  • divieto di sorpasso = no overtaking
  • divieto di sosta = no stopping or parking
  • divieto di transito = no passage
  • holiday = working day (s)
  • festivo = Sunday and public holiday (s)
  • ghiaccio = ice cream
  • gommista = tire service
  • ingresso = entrance or entrance
  • inizio zona tutelata = beginning of a no parking zone
  • lavori in corso = construction site
  • limite velocità = speed limit
  • nebbia = fog
  • neve = snow
  • parcheggio = parking space
  • passo carrabile = keep the entrance clear
  • pioggia = rain
  • posto di rifornimento = gas station
  • rallentare = drive slowly
  • sbarrato = locked
  • semaforo = traffic light
  • senso unico = one-way street
  • sosta a pagamento = paid parking
  • sosta camper = Parking space for mobile homes, often also a campsite
  • sosta vietata = no stopping or parking
  • sottopassaggio = underpass
  • strada senza uscita = dead end
  • superstrada = toll-free motorway-like road (100 or 110 km/h)
  • traffico = traffic
  • traffico limitato = only loading and unloading traffic allowed
  • tutte le direzioni = all directions
  • uscita = exit, motorway exit
  • veicoli lenti = slow vehicles
  • vietato l’accesso = no entry/no entry
  • zona di silenzio = no horns
  • zona disco = parking only with a parking disc
  • zona pedonale = pedestrian zone

Note

A comprehensive description of the traffic regulations in Italy and fines for violations can be found under the following link: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.de/italien/

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Italy is:

I.

Tourist offices

In Germany

Barckhausstrasse 10

60325 Frankfurt am Main

Tel: 0049 – (0) 69 – 23 70 69

E-Mail: frankfurt@enit.it

Prinzregentenstrasse 22

80538 Munich

Tel: 0049 – (0) 89 – 53 13 17

E-Mail: muenchen@enit.it

In Austria

Kärtnerring 4

1010 Vienna

Tel.: 0043 – 01 – 50 51 63 9-12

E-Mail: vienna@enit.it

In Switzerland

Uraniastrasse 32

8001 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – 43 46 64 040

E-Mail: zurich@enit.it

Infectious Diseases

In Italy – with a few exceptions – infectious diseases that are also widespread in Germany or Northern Europe are not to be expected:

  • Lyme disease, as a result of tick bites
  • Chikunguya, relatively rare occurrence
  • Intestinal infections from contaminated food or water, including amoeba, lamblia, salmonella, shigella and worm infestation, as well as all kinds of viruses and bacteria
  • Early summer meningo encephalitis, mainly as a result of tick bites
  • Hepatitis A and B, an infection with hepatitis B, is only to be expected in people who can come into contact with blood or in those who seek sexual contact.
  • Kala Azar disease
  • Leishmaniasis Disease
  • Polio, polio
  • rabies

Vaccination recommendations When traveling to Italy, the same vaccinations are recommended as are usual in Germany, Austria and Switzerland:

  • Diphtheria, a vaccination against diphtheria should always exist in your home country.
  • Hepatitis A and B, a vaccination against hepatitis B, is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
  • Polio, polio, a vaccination against polio should always exist, also in the home country.
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus should always exist in the home country.
  • Rabies, but only in high-risk travelers who can come into contact with the vector animals.

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in the country.

Current warnings

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Citizen Service

Telephone: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de.

Italy: Diplomatic missions

Opened representations of Italy in Germany configuration settings. Visit Countryaah for a full list of Italy embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Italy in Germany

The Italian embassy is on the corner of Hiroshimastraße – Tiergartenstraße in the old and new embassy district. The building impresses not only with its size but also with its striking architectural style. The lavishly built house only existed for a short time, as it was badly damaged by bombs a few months after its completion in 1942. After the Second World War, the largely undamaged part of the house served as an embassy for a few years and then as the consulate general, while the other areas increasingly fell into disrepair.

After German reunification and the move of the federal government to Berlin, the Italian government decided to restore the building. The Roman architect Vittorio de Feo won the competition in 1995.

Embassy in Berlin

Hiroshimastraße 1 – 7

10785 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 25 44 00

Email: segreteria.berlino@esteri.it

Web: www.ambberlino.esteri.it

Consulate General in Frankfurt/Main

Kettenhofweg 1

60325 Frankfurt am Main

Tel.: 0049 – (0) 69 – 7 53 10

E-Mail: segreteria.francoforte@esteri.it

Web: www.consfrancoforte.esteri.it

Consulate General in Hamburg

Feldbrunnenstrasse 54

20148 Hamburg

Tel.: 0049 – (0) 40 – 4 14 00 70

E-Mail: segreteria.amburgo@esteri.it

Consulate General in Hanover

Freundallee 27

30173 Hanover

Tel: 0049 – (0) 511 – 28 37 90

E-Mail: italia.consolato-hannover@t-online.de

Web: www.conshannover.esteri.it

Consulate General in Cologne

Universitätsstrasse 81

50931 Cologne

Tel: 0049 – (0) 221 – 40 08 70

E-Mail: info.colonia@esteri.it

Web: www.conscolonia.esteri.it

Consulate General in Munich

Möhlstrasse 3

81675 Munich

Tel.: 0049 – (0) 89 – 4 18 00 30

E-Mail: segreteria.monacobaviera@esteri.it

Web: www.consmonacodibaviera.esteri.it

Consulate General in Stuttgart

Lenzhalde 46

70192 Stuttgart

Tel: 0049 – (0) 711 – 2 56 30

E-Mail: consolato.stoccarda@esteri.it

Web: www.consstoccarda.esteri.it

Honorary consulates can be found in: Mannheim, Wolfsburg, Dortmund, Freiburg, Nuremberg, Saarbrücken, Bremen, Dresden and Kiel.

German representations in Italy

Embassy in Rome

Via San Martino della Battaglia 4

00185 Rome

Tel: 0039 – 06 – 49 21 31

Email: info@rom.diplo.de

Web: www.rom.diplo.de

Consulate General in Milan

Via Solferino 40

20121 Milano

Tel: 0039 – 02 – 623 11 01

E-Mail: info@mailand.diplo.de

Web: www.mailand.diplo.de

Consulate General in Naples

Via Crispi 69

80121 Napoli

Tel: 0039 – 081 – 248 85 10

E-Mail: info@neapel.diplo.de You

can find honorary consulates in: Bari, Bologna, Bozen, Cagliari, Florence, Genoa, Messina, Rimini and Venice.

Austrian representations in Italy

Embassy in Rome

Via Pergolesi 3

00198 Rome

Tel: 0039 – 06 – 844 014 1

Email: rom-ob@bmaa.gv.at

Web: www.aussenministerium.at/rom

Consulate General in Milan

Piazza del Liberty 8/4

20121 Milan

Tel: 0039 – 02 – 78 37 43

E-Mail: mailand-gk@bmeia.gv.at You

can find honorary consulates in: Bari, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Trieste, Turin, Venice and Verona.

Representations of Italy in Austria

Embassy of the Italian Republic in Vienna

Rennweg 27

1030 Vienna

Tel.: 0043 – (0) 1 – 712 51 21

E-Mail: ambasciata.vienna@esteri.it

Web: www.ambvienna.esteri.it

Honorary Consulate in Linz

Hessenplatz 19

4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 732 – 77 65 43 – 25

Honorary Consulate in Salzburg

Lederergasse 6

5020 Salzburg

Tel: 0043 – (0) 662 – 87 83 01

Honorary Consulate in Rankweil

Churerstrasse 42/8

6830 Rankweil

Tel.: 0043 – (0) 5522 – 22 442

E-Mail: italconsul-vorarlberg@vol.at

Honorary Consulate in Klagenfurt

St. Veiter Ring 43

9020 Klagenfurt

Tel.: 0043 – (0) 463 – 513 055

E-Mail: konsulit@bks.at

Honorary Consulate in Graz

St. Peter Hauptstrasse 141

8042 Graz

Tel: 0043 – (0) 316 – 425 000

E-Mail: consolato.graz@a1.net

Swiss representations in Italy

Embassy in Rome

Via Barnaba Oriani 61

00197 Rome

Tel: 0039 – (0) 6 – 809 571

E-Mail: rom.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/roma

Consulate General in Genoa

Piazza Brignole 3/6

16122 Genoa

Tel: 0039 – 010 – 54 54 11

E-Mail: goa.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Consulate General in Milan

Via Palestro 2

20121 Milan

Tel: 0039 – 02 – 77 79 161

E-Mail: mil.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Web: www.eda.admin.ch/milano

Honorary consulates can be found in: Bari, Bergamo, Bologna, Cagliari, Catania, Florence, Naples, Padova, Trieste, Turin, Venice.

Representations of Italy in Switzerland

Embassy in Bern

Elfenstrasse 14

3000 Bern 16

Tel.: 0041 – (0) 31 – 350 07 77

Email: ambasciata.berna@esteri.it

Web: www.ambberna.esteri.it

Consulate in Geneva

Rue Ch. Galland 14

1206 Geneva

Tel.: 0041 – (0) 22/839 67 44

Email: consolato.ginevra@esteri.it

Web: www.consginevra.esteri.it

Consulate in Lausanne

Rue du Petit-Chêne 29

1003 Lausanne

Tel: 0041 – (0) 21/341 12 91

Email: segreteria.losanna@esteri.it

Consulate in Lugano

Via Ferruccio Pelli 16

6900 Lugano

Tel.: 0041 – (0) 91/913 30 50

Email: consolato.lugano@esteri.it

Web: www.conslugano.esteri.it

Consulate in Neuchâtel

Faubourg de l’Hôpital 14

2001 Neuchâtel 1

Tel.: 0041 – (0) 32/724 31 00

Email: agcons.neuchatel@esteri.it

Consulate in Sion

Avenue de la Gare 3

1950 Sion

Tel: 0041 – (0) 27/322 87 87

Email: agente.sion@esteri.it

Consulate in St. Gallen

Frongartenstrasse 9

9000 St-Gallen

Tel: 0041 – (0) 71/227 41 41

Email: consolatoitalia.sangallo@esteri.it

Consulate in Wettingen

Seminarstrasse 85

5430 Wettingen

Tel: 0041 – (0) 56/426 51 26

Email: consolare.wettingen@esteri.it

Consulate in Zurich

Tödistrasse 67

8039 Zurich

Tel: 0041 – (0) 44/286 61 11

Email: segreteria.zurigo@esteri.it

Travel to Italy