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COVID and Italian Trains

Posted by (Kansas City ) on

Has anyone RECENTLY (like the last 2 weeks) crossed from another country into italy by train? I'm heading to Italy mid next week from Austria and I'm wondering what kind of border checks for covid test results there are. I'm vaccinated and boosted and I will have rapid test and PCR test results, but not in the 72 hour window of arrival into italy (but I will for Austria coming from the US)

Here's the verbiage from the Italian Health Ministry (and it true italian style, its confusing). From the first list, is ALL of 1-4 (I will have both 1 and 2) or just one from the list; A seems to mirror #3. Can anyone make sense of this or has recent experience, ie are there Health Ministry people at border crossings or the conductors doing the checking?

  1. fill out a digital Passenger Locator Form (only in case of lack of necessary tools to fill out the dPLF, you can use a paper-based self-declaration) and present it to the carrier or any other authorised person, either printed or on one's mobile device.
    1. present to the carrier, or any other authorised person, a certificate of vaccination stating that the cycle of vaccination has been completed with an EMA-athorised vaccine or EU Green Pass proving the same;
    2. undergo a molecular test, carried out by means of a swab and with negative result, in the 72 hours before they arrive, or an antigen test, carried out by means of a swab and with negative result, in the 24 hours before they arrive. In case of a transit from a List C Country (check List C by clicking on the blue button on top of this page), airlines may request a molecular test taken in the 48 hours prior to your arrival (instead of 72 hours). Kindly contact your carrier to enquire about specific boarding requirements.
    3. After a stay/transit in the United Kingdom, a molecular test must be taken in the 48 hours before you arrive (antigen test in the 24 hours before you arrive).

In case of lack of the certification under point 2, travellers may still enter Italy but they must:
A. undergo a molecular test carried out by means of a swab and with negative result, in the 72 hours prior to entering Italy (or 48 hours before your arrive, if you have stayed/transited in the United Kingdom); or an antigen test carried out by means of a swab and with negative result, in the 24 hours before you arrive.
B. self-isolate for five (5) days, activating local health surveillance procedures by informing Local Health Authorities;
C. get tested again, upon completing the prescribed self-isolation.

Posted by
3 posts

I’m Italian, technically if you have your covid certificate you should be good to do everything in Italy (we have restrictions for not vaccinated people) but you need a valid covid test whether is rapid or pcr to enter the country. You can probably do it for free or very cheap before boarding your train.

Posted by
872 posts

Yes you need a test, but entering Italy by train a couple of months ago, no asked to see it or the dPLF.

Posted by
8176 posts

It is one of those things. There are no border controls, no line you have to stand in to check your test results, just requirements you have to meet.

They can randomly check, walk up to you as you exit the platform from a train from another country, they will certainly ask if you wind up testing positive at a clinic or in the hospital, and when you check into your hotel, the authorities will know you have arrived, so do not assume you you just show up without no one knowing.

So, long story short, you still need to meet all requirements, but only suffer a penalty if you get caught. Many on here are a bit disappointed that if they have to meet certain requirements, that somebody is not deeply checking, but that is just not how it works. It is a bit like speeding, just because you got away with it, does not make it more right, just that you did not get caught, for now.

Posted by
500 posts

I traveled several times from Austria to Italy in August, mainly by car (no checks) but also once by train. In this case, an Austrian railway agent at the platform of Innsbruck station interviewed all people standing there reminding the necessity of the dplf, but no actual checks at the border.

Posted by
459 posts

Thanks for the information, everyone! I've made the trip over the Brenner into Italy from Austria/Switzerland by car three times this year with zero checks - I was just curious as to if the train situation was any different. I'll post something after I've completed the trip just to update those who might be doing the same. Happy travels everyone! Here's to a better 2022!

Posted by
459 posts

So here’s the verdict….

I had all my paperwork in order. DPLF, vax record, test results, passport. While waiting for my train in Innsbruck I was approached by an Austrian Railwsys staffer and asked if I had all my documents, but I was only asked to show the dPLF. At the Brenner (the Italy/Austria border) station stop, my car was entered by four people: a plainclothes police officer that showed his badge, a uniformed officer and two soldiers. It felt like a border check 20 years ago. They asked to see my green pass (or US CDC card) passport and dPLF but no covid test result. The process was very thorough, efficient and incredibly professional. All the while this was happening, two other soldiers were outside the car (I assume to make sure nobody decided to dash).

At the end of the day, I was seriously impressed. Is getting all this stuff together a PITA - yes. However, I’m so happy that they’re taking this stuff seriously. It’s a very nice change from the US.

Posted by
83 posts

Marcus, thank you for posting your experience. We are taking the same train that you did departing from Munich so will be sure to have all the necessary requirements including the 24 hour antigen test (just in case!).

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