I noticed at Gatwick earlier this year an expedited customs lane for entry into the UK. Is there something similar when entering Italy at the airport in Rome? I was ill-prepared for Gatwick and lost close to two hours to the immigration line. I have Global Entry for our return to the US, and would love to not get lost in the immigration sinkhole upon arriving to Rome!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16221 posts
If Rome is your first port of entry into the Schengen area, you will go to passport control upon arrival. There are two choices:
1. EU citizens
2. All other citizens
Choose the one that applies to you. The first line is always very short, but unless you or your spouse are a EU citizen you can't use it. But I doubt it would take two hours in the other, maybe 20-30 min at most, although I must use the first, so I have no direct experience.
Then after you collect your bag walked out the door through the "Nothing to Declare" door.
That's all folks.
Posted by
Perugia, Italy
211 posts
Arriving in Rome is nothing like what people experience at, for example, JFK in New York. There will be a passport line for non-EU citizens. EU citizens get to go to these new scanners. A minute or two and you're done. It takes a little while for luggage to come through, but there's no customs craziness, either. As Roberto says, just exit through the "nothing to declare" door and you're out and able to experience everything Rome and Italy has to offer.
Posted by
Houston
3522 posts
I have experienced expedited immigration in London and Paris, courtesy of the airline I flew and the class of service I was in (Air Canada business). It did save a lot of time, especially at LHR as the Border Protection officer seemed less interested in my reasons for being there than they were when I went through the regular line.
Rome does have an expedited lane. But it is only for passengers flying 1st or business that receive their pass from the airline.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5534 posts
Customs is always fast in Europe as you just walk through a green door if you have nothing to declare. There is no interaction required.
As for immigration, there is no Global Entry equivalent in Europe. You just have to be patient and hope the line isn't too long.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16221 posts
Immigration sinkholes happen more often in the US because America needs to be defended from people who hate our freedom, including infants and elderly women.
In my experience what takes more time in Rome is getting your suitcases at baggage claim. So if you can travel with carry on only, you will be out in minutes.