Passport Expiration

I would. If Italy requires it, they require it. It could cause huge problems, even them not allowing you to enter the country. Donna

From the US State Dept. website ( http://tinyurl.com/43wsxze): "...Italy is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. citizens may enter Italy for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay...." So your current passport is kosher. No need for an emergency renewal.

According to the Italian embassy website, as a U.S. citizen, all you need to enter Italy for 90 days or less is a "valid passport." If you're staying for longer than 90 days, you need a visa, and your passport must be "valid for at least 3 months after the visa expiry date." Nowhere can I find anything about a 6-month requirement. http://tinyurl.com/3fojx24 So I agree with Michael that you're fine.

My inquiry on this same concern brought me to the same conclusion as the last two posts. I am traveling under a nearly identical situation and feel confident with the information I found. I have no plans to file an emergency renewal. Of course, I will promptly apply for a standard renewal upon my return in anticipation of future travels.

And, for what it's worth, I entered the zone twice in October and once in November last year - - all at different points and all with a passport that expired in early January and never with a return ticket. No eyebrows were raised.

Reality check
Hey guys, You are going to Italy, not East Germany in the early 80s. You are lucky if they look at your passport and stamp it. Never been to a "major" country that was more casual at passport control than Italy. (I mean that positively. It is part of what we like about Italy).

"...You are lucky if they look at your passport and stamp it..." Not my experience. Since 9/11, I have not encountered a single Immigration official in Europe (including Italy) who hasn't, carefully looked over my passport, asked a few questions, scanned the passport, stamped the passport, and typed a few things into his terminal before allowing me to leave the airport. Before 2001, a quick glance was very routine...not these days.

A few years ago I went to Belgium for 4 weeks and Germany for 1 week (end of June to beginning of August) and my passport expired in November. I had no passport problems.

Passport control in italy is a joke. They just open it up for a second for good measure and hand it right back to you. You'll be fine.

It is not "a joke". What happens is that, with RFID passports, they don't need to read the passport, just "download" the information in its chip to their computers.

Passport control is us humans. If you get a newbie, he might use a magnifying glass. If you get a guy who got out of bed on the wrong side (or had to sleep on the couch), he might be looking for something to pick at. If you get someone who just had lunch with vino. . . well, you get the idea.

Thanks to everyone for your help. Here's the reply I received from the US Consolate in Rome - "If your U.S. passport is valid throughout the duration of your trip, then you should be able to enter into Italy. For further information on visiting Italy we suggest you visit the following website: http://italy.usembassy.gov/acs/general-visiting.html." Ciao!

To those thinking that just because a stamp isn't put in your passport that the date of entry isn't recorded, please think again. Most documentation is done electronically now. To those that have had only casual glances at your passport, you are lucky. Some people get close inspections, whether random, heightened security, grumpy officer or some type of racial profiling. Some countries (Spain I think is one) require up to 6 months validity of your passport. I don't recall Italy's requirement but previous postings indicate it is only 3 months. Having proof of return airline ticket would be a good way of resolving any questions at immigration should they occur.

My bad. I thought this was the Italy forum.
I was talking about my favorite folks in Italy.

My bad. I thought this was the Italy forum.
I was talking about my favorite folks in Italy. I don't understand your most recent post, Skip.

I did see someone get turned away during boarding at a US airport gate a few months ago, but his passport was to expire in a month.

We travelled to Italy late June through early July 2011. My passport was due to expire in November 2011. I did not renew it and had absolutely no problem entering Italy or returning to the US. The information I was following said that Italy required your passprt to be valid for three months from arrival.