Italy tourist visa: requirements, fee and processing time
This page covers the Italy tourist (schengen c) visa — used for short holiday or sightseeing trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Italy consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.
Where to apply for a Italy tourist visa
Italian consulate or VFS Global / iVisa partner centers.
Required documents
- Valid passport
- Schengen visa form (English or Italian)
- 2 biometric photos
- Travel medical insurance €30,000+
- Round-trip flight
- Hotel bookings
- Bank statements (3 months)
- Proof of employment
- Invitation letter + host's ID (if visiting friends/family)
Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.
Fees, reductions and exemptions
- Adult (standard)€90
- Child 6–11€45
- Child under 6Free
- Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived with proof of relationship.
- VFS service fee€35
- Prime Time appointment€80— Optional out-of-hours slot.
Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are exempt. Children under 6 free, 6–11 reduced. VFS Global service fee is added on top of the consular fee.
Booking an appointment
Prenot@mi online booking system for consulates; VFS uses its own portal. Rome & Milan flights peak season = long waits.
Practical tips
Prenot@mi releases slots at unpredictable times — check daily. Have documents ready before booking.
What is unusual about the Italy process
Italy is one of the strictest on travel insurance — some consulates reject certificates that don't explicitly mention "Schengen area" coverage.
Official sources
If you are applying from the United Kingdom
- London — Italy Visa Application Centre – LondonApplications for Italy from UK residents go through VFS Global; the Consulate General in London takes the decision.
- Manchester — Italy Visa Application Centre – ManchesterCheck the VFS site for the current address and opening hours.
- Edinburgh — Italy Visa Application Centre – EdinburghCheck the VFS site for the current address and opening hours.
Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.
Updated today against official Italy consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Italy tourist visa cost?
- For a Italy tourist visa, the consular fee is €90. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Adult (standard) — €90; Child 6–11 — €45; Child under 6 — free; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; VFS service fee — €35; Prime Time appointment — €80. Family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are exempt. Children under 6 free, 6–11 reduced. VFS Global service fee is added on top of the consular fee. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
- How long does a Italy tourist visa take to process?
- A decision on a Italy tourist visa typically takes around 14 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
- Where do I apply for a Italy tourist visa?
- Italian consulate or VFS Global / iVisa partner centers. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
- What documents are required for a Italy tourist visa?
- The Italy consular network lists: Valid passport; Schengen visa form (English or Italian); 2 biometric photos; Travel medical insurance €30,000+; Round-trip flight; Hotel bookings; Bank statements (3 months); Proof of employment; Invitation letter + host's ID (if visiting friends/family). Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
- How do appointments work for a Italy tourist visa?
- Appointment model: Online booking. Prenot@mi online booking system for consulates; VFS uses its own portal. Rome & Milan flights peak season = long waits.
- Can I apply for a Italy tourist visa from the United Kingdom?
- Yes. We list 3 submission points in the UK for Italy, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.
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