CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Italy

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 9 has been updated (information on mudslides removed).

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Italy

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Canadians should exercise normal security precautions. They should ensure that valuables, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times.

Visitors to Naples and surrounding areas should be aware that local authorities have been dealing with a garbage disposal problem, which in the past has resulted in tonnes of waste piling up in the streets. The situation has improved, but some surrounding areas are still affected. Demonstrations have occurred, some violent, and could recur at any time.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

The incidence of street crime is similar to that elsewhere in Europe, particularly in large urban centres. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occur at tourist sites, on public transportation, in Internet cafés, night clubs and bars, and at major airports and railway stations. If possible, avoid carrying handbags. Motorcyclists frequently grab bags and other personal belongings from pedestrians, often resulting in injury.

Episodes of violence may occur, sometimes involving bomb attacks by organized criminal or extremist groups. Turf wars have occurred in Naples, which have claimed innocent victims, including one Canadian.

Demonstrations

Strikes and demonstrations occur frequently, especially in the transportation sector (national airlines, airports, trains, and bus lines). There is also a risk of unannounced wildcat strikes. Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings as they can turn violent without notice. Strikes may occasionally interfere with services, such as mail, telephone, and public transport.

Scams

Travellers should exercise caution and be alert to scams targeting foreigners at gas stations, on highways, and on trains. Car theft occurs at gas stations and on highways. Thieves often work in pairs or groups. One or more will distract the victim while another steals. Ensure your vehicle remains in sight when stopping at service areas. There are also reports of individuals staging roadside emergencies (e.g., a smoking engine or flat tire) to persuade drivers to pull over. Thieves then remove personal belongings from the distracted driver's car. Rail passengers have been offered drugged food or drink and been robbed or assaulted while sleeping. Ensure your compartment door is securely locked.

General Safety Information

Do not leave personal belongings unattended, especially in vehicles. Your luggage should never be left with strangers. Travellers should use only the services of officially licensed taxis and stay at hotels that offer surveillance at entrances. Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid showing signs of affluence. Ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times and avoid carrying large sums of cash. It is recommended that you carry a copy of your passport. In an emergency, call 113 for the police or 112 for the Carabinieri (military police).

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Italian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Italian Republic and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Italy. The passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of the expected departure from Italy.

Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Required
Work Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required 

Canadians staying in Italy for more than 90 days may be asked to provide the reasons for and duration of their stay, as well as provide proof of sufficient funds, accommodation, and/or a return ticket. Travellers should have more than one source of funds (i.e., cash, traveller's cheques, credit card, client card with a four or five-digit PIN).

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Schengen Area

The Member States of the European Union (EU) (not including the United Kingdom and Ireland), along with Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland, make up the Schengen Area, which aims for common rules regarding visas, asylum rights, and controls at external borders.

The external land, air, and sea border controls of nine countries that joined the EU in 2004 (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia) have been removed. Bulgaria, Romania, and Cyprus will fully apply the Schengen acquis at a later date.

In the Schengen Area, Canadian travellers do not need visas for short-term visits (up to 90 days within a six-month period), but some countries require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen Area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities throughout the Schengen area.

If Canadians overstay the permitted 90 days in the Schengen Area, they may be fined or deported. To visit longer than 90 days, Canadians must either obtain a long-stay national visa or have been outside the Schengen Area for at least 90 consecutive days before re-entering.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

EU legislation on the amount of cash that can be carried was implemented on June 15, 2007. Canadians crossing one of the external border control points of the EU will have to make a declaration to customs upon entry or exit if they have at least 10,000 euros, or the equivalent in other currencies, in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques, or any other convertible assets in their possession. Failure to report such a sum will be considered an offence. This does not apply to Canadians travelling within the EU or in transit to a non-EU country. The purpose of this legislation is to prevent illegal activities, such as money laundering. For more information on the new EU legislation and links to EU countries' sites, consult http://ec.europa.eu/eucashcontrols.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses:

Italy - ROME, Embassy of Canada
Address: Via Zara 30, Rome 00198, Italy
Tel.: 39 (06) 85 444 2911 or 39 (06) 85 444 1
Fax: 39 (06) 85 444 2912
E-Mail: rome.citizenservices@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.Italy.gc.ca

Italy - NAPLES, Consulate of Canada
Address: Via Carducci 29, Naples 80121, Italy
Tel.: 39 (081) 401-338
Fax: 39 (081) 410-4210
E-Mail: cancons.nap@tiscali.it

Italy - PADOVA, Consulate of Canada
Address: Riviera Ruzzante 25, Padova 35123, Italy
Tel.: 39 (049) 876-4833
Fax: 39 (049) 878-1147
E-Mail: consolatocanada.padova@virgilio.it

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Rome and follow the instructions. You may also place a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Good medical care is widely available. Upfront payment is required and private hospitals usually require payment before treatment

Decompression chambers are available in major hospitals throughout the country.

The air in large cities can be heavily polluted.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Italy are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Italy to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Italian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Persons violating Italian law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and/or heavy fines.

Buying counterfeit merchandise, such as sunglasses, purses, and so on, is illegal. Italian authorities have been handing out fines of up to 10,000 euros to tourists caught buying counterfeit items.

In the cities of Venice and Florence, you should observe public notices about conduct. For example, tickets and fines may be assessed against visitors for dropping litter or for sitting, eating, or drinking on steps and courtyards around the main churches and public buildings in Florence.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

City streets are often narrow, winding, and congested. Motor scooters and other vehicles are often driven recklessly. Lane markings are frequently non-existent, and traffic lights are limited and often ignored. Numerous accidents are caused by excessive speeding on highways and rural roads. Travellers in northern Italy should be aware of ground fog and poor visibility, especially in winter.

The use of cellular telephones while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device. The use of headlights on highways and major roads during the day is mandatory. An adhesive sticker indicating country of origin must be displayed on the back of foreign cars. An international car insurance plan is mandatory. Fines for minor traffic violations must be paid immediately.

A special permit (issued only to residents and members of public organizations) is necessary to have access to Rome city centre by car on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Similar restrictions are in place in other Italian city centres. Travellers are advised to take note of street signage when entering city centres and abide by the "limited traffic zone" (often abbreviated as "ZTL" in Italian) restrictions. During summertime, only residents are allowed to take their cars on the islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida. There are reports of travellers receiving traffic tickets by mail after their return to Canada.

If you call a radio taxi, be aware that the meter starts to run as soon as the cab leaves to pick you up.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

Rail service is widely available. Ferry services are available to Greece, North Africa, and local islands (e.g., Sicily, Sardinia, Capri, Ischia, and Elba).

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the euro (EUR). Credit cards and traveller's cheques in euros or U.S. dollars are widely accepted. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Carry only a minimum amount of cash. Automated banking machines (ABMs), known as “bancomat” in Italy, are widely available.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

Canadians should be aware of ATM fraudulent electronic readout devices that are increasingly common in Italy. These devices are designed to capture the account information stored on the card’s magnetic strip through a card reader fixed over the legitimate reader. The customer’s PIN is recorded with a small video camera installed above the keypad. The devices may not keep the victim from performing normal transactions. The victim’s banking information is then sold or traded on-line. In order to prevent this type of fraud, Canadians should use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business, cover the keypad with one hand when entering their PIN, avoid card readers with an irregular aspect, and look for any unauthorized transactions on their account statements.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Central and southern Italy are located in an active seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Rome or the nearest consulate (see Section 5 above) in the event of an emergency. On April 5, 2009, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck central Italy, close to L’Aquila, approximately 95 km northeast of Rome. Hundreds of deaths and injuries were reported. Damage to infrastructure was extensive.

Mount Etna, on the island of Sicily, is Europe's most active volcano. Canadians travelling to the area should closely monitor activity levels, be aware of any risks, and follow the advice of local authorities. Active volcanoes with lava flows are also located on the islands of Stromboli and Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands chain north of Sicily.

Forest fires often occur in Italy in the summer months, including on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. In case of a major fire, travellers should follow the advice of local emergency services personnel, stay away from affected areas, and monitor local media sources for up-to-date information. Travellers with respiratory ailments should take into account that the air quality in areas near active fires may deteriorate due to heavy smoke. Canadians requiring assistance may contact the Embassy of Canada in Rome (see Section 5).

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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