Temporary travel restriction for all non-essential travel to the EU+ area

The European Union Council has approved on 17 March a temporary restriction to all non-essential travel to the EU+ area, defined as the whole EU area plus the four countries belonging to the Schengen agreement (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland). It starts from 18 March for 30 days. Exceptions are limited only to few limited cases:
• all EU citizens and citizens of the Schengen Associated States, and their family members (including UK citizens until the end of 2020);
• third-country nationals who are long-term residents or who hold national long-term visas.
Restrictions are not applied to the following cases:
• Healthcare professionals, health researchers, and elderly care professionals;
• Frontier workers;
• Transport personnel engaged in haulage of goods and other transport staff to the extent necessary;
• Diplomats, staff of international organisations, military personnel and humanitarian aid workers in the exercise of their functions;
• Passengers in transit;
• Passengers travelling for imperative family reasons;
• Persons in need of international protection or for other humanitarian reasons.
The Visa Office of the Embassy of Italy will accept visa application falling into the previous cases, and by appointment only.