According to the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, an Italian passport provides visa-free access to 120 destinations in 2026, making it one of the world’s most powerful.
Visa-free access includes countries such as Belgium, Japan, China, the United States, and Peru. However, some destinations may still require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), an eVisa, 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, explained by access type.
Italian Passport Visa Free Countries 2026: Key Takeaways
The Power of an Italian Passport
The Italian passport is one of the most powerful in the world. Our Global Intelligence Unit ranks it 24th on the Global Passport Index, offering visa-free access to 120 countries. The Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index not only measures travel freedom but also provides a broader view of your passport’s value. Italy ranks 6th on the Enhanced Mobility Index, 48th on the Investment Index for economic strength, and 25th on the Quality-of-Life Index, which considers aspects like healthcare, education, and personal safety.
Italy Passport Rankings The Italian Passport Visa-Free Countries
Italian passport holders can travel easily with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 120 countries, including Belgium, Japan, China, the United States, and Peru. This makes it a strong passport that enables easier international travel.
AndorraUnited Arab EmiratesAntigua and BarbudaAlbaniaArmeniaAngolaArgentinaBosnia and HerzegovinaBarbadosBruneiBoliviaBrazilBahamasBotswanaBelarusBelizeChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCape VerdeDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorFijiFederated States of MicronesiaGrenadaGeorgiaGambiaGuatemalaGuyanaHondurasHaitiJamaicaJapanKyrgyzstanKiribatiSouth KoreaKazakhstanSaint LuciaLesothoMoroccoMoldovaMontenegroMarshall IslandsNorth MacedoniaMongoliaMauritiusMexicoMalaysiaMozambiqueNicaraguaPanamaPeruPhilippinesPalauParaguaySerbiaSolomon IslandsSingaporeSenegalSurinameSao Tome and PrincipeEl SalvadorEswatiniThailandTajikistanEast TimorTunisiaTongaTurkeyTrinidad and TobagoTuvaluTaiwanUkraineUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesVenezuelaVietnamVanuatuSamoaSouth AfricaZambiaItaly Passport Free Access Countries
The following nations allow Italian passport holders free access:
AustriaBelgiumBulgariaSwitzerlandCyprusCzechiaGermanyDenmarkEstoniaSpainFinlandFranceGreeceHong KongCroatiaHungaryIrelandIcelandLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgLatviaMonacoMacauMaltaNetherlandsNorwayPolandPalestinePortugalRomaniaSwedenSloveniaSlovakiaSan MarinoItalian Passport Visa on Arrival Countries
These countries require Italian citizens to acquire a visa on arrival:
BangladeshAlgeriaGuinea-BissauIndonesiaComorosLebanonMaldivesQatareTA Countries for Italian Passport
The following nations require an eTA for Italian passport holders:
AustraliaCanadaUnited KingdomIsraelKenyaSaint Kitts and NevisSri LankaNew ZealandSeychellesCountries Where Italian Passport Holders Need an eVisa
These countries require Italian citizens to have an eVisa:
AfghanistanAzerbaijanBurkina FasoBahrainBurundiBeninBhutanDemocratic Republic of the CongoIvory CoastCameroonCubaDjiboutiEgyptEthiopiaGabonGuineaEquatorial GuineaIndiaIraqIranJordanCambodiaKuwaitLaosLibyaMadagascarMyanmarMauritaniaMalawiNamibiaNigeriaNepalOmanPapua New GuineaPakistanRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSierra LeoneSomaliaSouth SudanSyriaChadTogoTanzaniaUgandaZimbabweCountries Where Italian Passport Holders Need a Visa
Central African RepublicRepublic of the CongoEritreaGhanaLiberiaMaliNigerNauruSudanTurkmenistanYemen
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 access to 120 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: This 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.
The visas can lead to permanent residence after five years and, eventually, citizenship after 10 years, while meeting all the requirements. Citizenship is also possible through marriage to an Italian citizen. Each route has its own requirements and timelines but can ultimately make you eligible for an Italian passport.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
