UPDATE 30 JULY | following the 29 July ordnance extending the application of the quarantine requirements until at least 30 August.
UPDATED 2 AUGUST | with antigen swab test information.
Compulsory quarantine will continue for those travelling to Italy from the UK - including travellers who are fully vaccinated and even if the required pre-travel covid test taken in the 48 hours before entry is negative.
Regardless of nationality, anyone:
will need to isolate for five days.
Quarantine applies to all travellers including those fully vaccinated.
Quarantine starts from the date you arrive in Italy. On the sixth day, if you have not developed any Covid-19 symptoms and you have not been contacted by the health authority requiring that you to stay in quarantine, you can go for a test. But you must continue to isolate until you have the negative test result.
Covid Testing
A covid test is still required prior to arrival. Travellers must produce a negative molecular or antigen swab test taken in the 48 hours prior to entering Italy.
A second negative molecular or antigen swab test is required to end the quarantine which can only be taken after five days in quarantine (i.e. on the sixth day).
Many pharmacies offer this on a walk-in basis. The test and the printed result in English (and Italian) was available within less than 15 minutes of arriving at a cost was 36€ for two people.
See the Italian Ministero della Salute website (in English) for fuller detail.
For additional information on testing in Puglia see our list of where and how to test. Further information is available from the Puglia Region website.
Where to quarantine
On arrival connections by public transport to your final destination are not permitted, although you can take a taxi. Otherwise you must use a car rental or have a friend or relative collect you (contact with them should be limited).
Your quarantine address must be provided to the health authorities.
Travellers can quarantine at their home, holiday residence or rental. If this is shared you must self-isolate from others.
If you are staying at a hotel check before you travel whether they will allow you to quarantine. They can refuse.
Your hotel may be able to make arrangements for the second test required to end quarantine.
If you are unable to find anywhere suitable to quarantine or are unable to reach your destination in accordance with these rules the local authority reserves the right to put you in accommodation of their choosing, which may be a designated hotel, at your expense.
During quarantine you are not allowed out - not even buy food or other essentials. You will have to make alternative arrangements for these.
Local health authorities may check that you are observing quarantine. Those who fail to comply will be subject to a fine up to 1,000€
Certain quarantine exemptions apply: for specific categories of workers and for stays up to 120 hours for work, health or other urgent reasons. People transiting through Italy in a private vehicle for 36 hours or less do not have to quarantine.
Six year-old or younger children do not have to take tests, but do require to quarantine.
Forms
Travellers require to complete the European Digital Passenger Locator Form (dPLF), giving details of who you’re travelling with and where you’ll be staying.
The online digital form generates a QR code, which you will need to show if requested. There’s a paper form if you cannot access it digitally.
You should also inform the local health authority in the region of Italy to which you are travelling within 48 hours of arrival, stating where you plan to quarantine and how they can reach you. Find regional contacts here.
The rules will be in force until at least August 30th.
In addition to the above measures, we suggest that all travellers consult the Italian Government’s online questionnaire (in English) for more advice on entry requirements and travel to Italy.
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