Published: 08.01.2026
The Entry/Exit System will replace passport stamps with digital registration of non-EU travellers, including passport details, fingerprints and facial images; full operation in Italy is expected by April 2026. ETIAS is scheduled for launch by the end of 2026 and will require visa-exempt nationals to obtain online authorisation before travelling to the Schengen area.
Short-term travel to Italy will involve a changed border procedure, with biometric and entry data recorded instead of a passport stamp. Once ETIAS launches, citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and other visa-exempt countries will need online authorisation before travelling. This matters most to tourists, prospective students and people making a reconnaissance trip before relocation; the system does not replace a long-stay visa or residence permit. According to sources, travellers may face longer airport queues during the transition.