According to the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, an Italian passport will provide visa-free access to 129 destinations in 2025, making it one of the world’s most powerful passports. Visa-free access includes countries such as Belgium, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, the United States, and Peru. However, some destinations may still require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visa on arrival.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the power of the Italian passport and the many countries it provides visa-free access to. This is what to expect.
The Power of an Italian Passport
The Italian passport is one of the most powerful in the world. Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) ranks it 22nd on the Global Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 129 countries. The GCS Passport Index not only measures travel freedom but also provides a broader view of your passport’s value. Italy ranks 3rd on the Enhanced Mobility Index, 47th on the Investment Index for economic strength, and 27th on the Quality of Life Index, which considers aspects like healthcare, education, and personal safety.
 | Global passport ranking | 22nd |
| Enhanced Mobility Index | 3rd | |
| Investment Index | 47th | |
| Quality of Life Index | 27th | |
| Visa-free access countries | 129 | |
| Free access countries | 8 | |
| Electronic visa (eVisa) countries | 35 | |
| Visa-free access (limited days) | 121 | |
| Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) | Included in 35 eVisa countries | |
| On-arrival visas | 12 | |
| Visa-required countries | 16 |
129 Italian Passport Visa-Free Countries
Italian passport holders can travel easily with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 129 countries, including Belgium, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, the United States, and Peru. This makes it a great passport that also makes international travel almost effortless.
| Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
 Angola | Grenada | Peru |
| Albania | Guatemala | Philippines |
| Andorra | Guyana | Palau |
| United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong | Poland |
| Argentina |  Honduras | Portugal |
 Armenia | Croatia | Paraguay |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Haiti | Palestine, State of |
| Austria | Hungary | Qatar |
| Belgium | Ireland | Romania |
| Bulgaria | Iceland | Senegal |
| Bahamas | Israel | Singapore |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Jamaica | Solomon Islands |
| Belarus | Japan | El Salvador |
| Belize | Kazakhstan | San Marino |
| Bolivia, Plurinational State of | Kyrgyzstan | Serbia |
| Brazil | Kiribati | Sao Tome and Principe |
| Barbados | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Suriname |
| Brunei Darussalam |  Kosovo | Slovakia |
| Botswana | Saint Lucia | Slovenia |
| Canada | Liechtenstein | Sweden |
| Switzerland |  Lesotho | Eswatini |
| Chile | Lithuania | Seychelles |
 China | Luxembourg | Thailand |
| Colombia | Latvia | Tajikistan |
| Cabo Verde | Macao | Timor-Leste |
| Costa Rica | Morocco | Tonga |
| Cyprus | Monaco | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Czechia | Moldova, Republic of | Tunisia |
| Germany | Mexico | Turkey |
| Dominica | Marshall Islands | Tuvalu |
| Denmark | North Macedonia | Taiwan, Province of China |
| Dominican Republic | Malta | Ukraine |
| Ecuador |  Montenegro | Uruguay |
| Spain | Mongolia | United States |
| Estonia | Mozambique | Uzbekistan |
| Finland | Mauritius | Holy See (Vatican City State) |
| Fiji | Malawi | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| France | Malaysia | Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of |
| Micronesia, Federated States of | Namibia | Viet Nam |
| United Kingdom | Nicaragua | Vanuatu |
 Georgia | Netherlands | Samoa |
| Gambia | Norway | South Africa |
| Greece | Panama | Zambia |
Italy Passport Electronic Visa Countries
| Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan | Guinea | Oman |
| Benin | Equatorial Guinea | Pakistan |
| Burkina Faso | India | Papua New Guinea |
| Bahrain | Iran, Islamic Republic of | Russian Federation |
| Bhutan | Jordan | Rwanda |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Cambodia | Saudi Arabia |
| Cameroon | Kuwait | Sierra Leone |
| Congo, The Democratic Republic of the | Lao People’s Democratic Republic | South Sudan |
| Djibouti | Libya | Togo |
| Egypt |  Myanmar | Tanzania, United Republic of |
| Ethiopia | Nigeria | Uganda |
| Gabon | Nepal | |
Italian Passport Visa on Arrival Countries
| Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Burundi | Indonesia | Maldives |
| Bangladesh | Iraq | Mauritania |
| Comoros | Lebanon | Somalia |
| Guinea-Bissau | Madagascar | Zimbabwe |
Countries Where Italian passport Holders Need a Visa
| Countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Liberia | Sudan |
| Central African Republic | Mali | Syrian Arab Republic |
| Congo | Niger | Chad |
| Algeria | Nauru | Turkmenistan |
| Eritrea | Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of | Yemen |
| Ghana | ||
How can Italian citizens apply for a visa?
As highlighted, Italian citizens hold one of the strongest passports in the world, giving them visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 129 countries. The way they apply for a visa depends on the destination country’s rules:
- Visa-free entry – No application is needed; just a valid Italian passport.
- Visa on arrival – Apply directly at the border by filling out forms and paying the fee.
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA/ESTA/eVisitor) – Apply online before departure, usually a quick process.
- Standard visa: Apply at the embassy/consulate or online. This visa is required mainly for longer stays, work, or study.
General visa application process for Italian citizens (when a visa is required):
- Check entry requirements for the destination (visa-free, visa on arrival, eTA, or standard visa).
- Prepare documents – valid passport, photos, travel plans, proof of funds, and insurance.
- Submit application – online, at the consulate, or upon arrival (for visa on arrival).
- Pay the fee (varies by country and visa type).
- Biometrics/Interview – only if required by the destination.
- Receive approval for a visa, eTA, or entry stamp, depending on the case.
How to get an Italian passport
To get an Italian passport, there are several possible routes. Italian citizenship by Descent allows individuals with Italian parents or grandparents to claim citizenship directly. Foreign nationals can pursue citizenship through long-term residency, starting with permits like the Italy Golden Visa, the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, or the Italy Elective Residence Visa; these visas can lead to permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship after meeting residency requirements. Citizenship is also possible through marriage to an Italian citizen or naturalization after a long-term legal stay in Italy. Each route has its own requirements and timelines, but can ultimately make you eligible for an Italian passport.
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