From the romantic canals of Venice to the diverse landscapes and Renaissance art and architecture of Tuscany. Italy is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous architecture, food and art. Part of the Schengen area, you can travel to Italy with the common Schengen visa.

Add a Schengen destination or two more, and you’ll be set for a long European holiday under one single Schengen visa. We’ll guide you right through the Italy visa application process.

Yes, all Indian passport holders do need a visa to travel to Italy. The visa is issued for a period of 6 months and allows the visitors to stay within the Schengen area for a period up to 90 days.

Like all European countries, there is no visa on arrival in Italy for Indians. 

Yes, having a travel insurance policy is mandatory for Indian passport holders visiting Italy or any of the Schengen countries. As per Schengen area rule, travel insurance with 30,000 euro coverage is a mandate for Indians travelling to Italy.

You’ll need the following documents to apply for your Italy Schengen tourist visa: 

• Application form duly filled.

• Two identical photos taken within the last 3 months. Dimensions of the photograph be 35X45mm. The photo should be simple and coloured. It should display 70-80% of the face.

• A valid passport not older than 10 years. It should be valid for at least 3 months from your date of departure from Italy or any other Schengen region.

• Copy of previous visa (if applicable)

• Proof of travel in terms of air tickets both inwards and outwards. 

• Proof of stay in terms of hotel or Airbnb bookings. 

• Travel insurance policy should have minimum health insurance/medical emergency coverage of €30,000.

• Proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself, i.e., a bank statement from the last 6 months.

• A cover letter explaining the purpose of your travel.

• School ID/College ID/ company registration/retirement proof.

Apart from this, you’ll be required to submit an invitation letter with the address and contact details of your family/friend residing in Italy (if applicable).

As travelling to Italy for Indians require a Schengen visa, here’s a clear, step-by-step process to apply for a Schengen tourist visa for italy through VFS Global, the authorized visa application service provider:

First, Determine the Schengen Visa Type for Italy

Identify the appropriate visa category for your travel purpose, such as a short-term tourist visa (Schengen) for leisure trips or a long-term visa for other purposes. A tourist visa is ideal for stays under 90 days, where tourism is the primary reason for travel.

Visit the VFS Global Website to Apply for Italy Visa from India

Navigate to the VFS Global website or the Italian visa application page to confirm country-specific requirements for your visa. The site provides detailed checklists, application forms, and guidelines tailored to your jurisdiction.

Complete the Italy Schengen Visa Application Form

Fill out the online Italy Schengen Visa application form with accurate information. Include personal details, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, and your travel purpose. Print and sign the completed form for submission.

Schedule an Appointment for Document Submission for Italy Visa

Use the VFS Global portal to book an appointment at your nearest Visa Application Center (VAC). Choose a date for biometric data collection (fingerprints and photographs) and document verification.

Prepare and Submit Documents and Pay Your Italy Tourist Visa Price

Gather all required documents and visit the VAC on the scheduled date, submit your documents, and pay the visa fees.

Track Your Italy Visa Application from India

After submission, track your visa status online via the reference number provided at the VAC. The standard processing time is around 15 working days, but delays may occur during peak seasons.

Collect Your Indian Passport

Once the application is processed, collect your passport from the VAC or opt for courier delivery (if available). If approved, your passport will include the Italy Schengen visa, detailing its validity and travel conditions.

The processing time for Italy Tourist visa is about 15 working days. However, in some cases this could take longer so it’s best to plan ahead!

• Italy has an extensive public transport system, including high-speed trains, buses, and metro services. Consider purchasing city passes for unlimited travel.

• Be vigilant in crowded areas like tourist spots, buses, and metro stations. Keep your belongings secure.

• Summer is busy and hot. Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer milder weather and fewer crowds, making them the best time to visit Italy.

• Italy uses the Euro (€). Most places accept cards, but small shops may prefer cash.

• Italian is the official language. Learning basic phrases like “Grazie” (thank you) or “Scusi” (excuse me) can enhance your experience.

Receiving a rejection for your Italy visa application can be disheartening. Common grounds for refusal include insufficient financial proof, an unclear or incomplete travel itinerary, weak evidence of ties to your home country, past visa violations, or inaccurate and missing documentation. 

You’ll be notified formally about the denial reasons, allowing you to address the issues and reapply with a stronger application.

To improve your chances of approval of your Italy visa application, preparation is key. Ensure that all documents are accurate, complete, and meet the specific requirements. Submit financial evidence to demonstrate your ability to fund your trip, and show a detailed itinerary covering accommodations, transport, and activities. 

You should also prove your intent to return by providing ties to your home country, such as job, family, or property ownership. Be truthful in your application.

Yes, you can extend your Italian visa while you’re in the country, under certain circumstances. However, it's crucial to apply for an extension well in advance of your visa's expiration date. You will need to provide valid reasons for the extension and supporting documentation. For detailed information, you can consult with the Italian immigration authorities.

A travel insurance is almost necessary while travelling to any Schengen country as the visa requires you to have health insurance or medical coverage of at least €30,000. In case you don’t already have a health insurance policy that will cover you beyond India, a travel insurance will give you adequate coverage. Additionally, it will also benefit you in many other cases, such as:

Accidental and Sickness Medical Expenses

Coverage for all medical expenses, big and small, while you tour around the many cities of Italy. This also includes major and minor injuries faced while participating in adventure sports-related activities.

Baggage Delay/Losses

We’re all optimistic this won’t happen to us, but it happens to the best of us! In case of delay or loss of your checked-in luggage, your travel insurance for Italy will compensate and cover for you! 

Trip Delay/Cancellation

In case of a last-minute change of plans, trip cancellation or trip abandonment due to an emergency; your digit's online travel insurance will conveniently cover for all your non-refundable expenses such as flight and hotel bookings. 

Loss of Passport

This one thing can break or make your dream vacation! In case of an unfortunate loss of passport, while you’re on vacation, your travel insurance will be there for you and ensure you don’t face any issues and also help you in the process of getting a new one! 

Emergency Evacuation

In an extremely unfortunate situation where you or a family member needs to be evacuated from Italy immediately, your travel insurance policy will be your saviour! 

Check out the below-mentioned benefits we give you with Travel Insurance to Italy:

Adventure Activities Covered

Our coverage includes activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, etc. (provided the duration is one day). 

Smartphone-enabled claims process

It’s all smart with a smartphone-enabled claim process. No paperwork, no running around. Just upload your documents when you make a claim. 

Missed Call Facility

Give us a missed call, and we’ll call you back in 10 minutes. No more international calling charges! 

Immediate Monetary Compensation for Flight Delays

If your flight is delayed, we give you monetary compensation to ease your inconvenience. 

Worldwide Support

We’ve partnered with the world’s largest health & travel insurance network Allianz, to support you seamlessly across the globe. T&C apply*