I found this in the Lonely Planet book for Rome:
"... many places are free to EU citizens under 18 years and over 60"
Is that right? If so, do you know how this works?
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
My kids have dual citizenship. The Forum Romanum was the only place they got in for free - as EU citizens - without having to show proof of EU citizenship. All other places required us to show their passports.
It's interesting because all of my German friends who travelled through Italy were never asked to show ID for their kids to get them in for free. I have been living in Canada for a long time but my only citizenship is German and I still have an accent when speaking English. Still, I was asked for my kids' ID in Italy to proof that they have EU citizenship!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Spain may be the exception. We found that as long as I showed a passport for over 60 I got in free. Since my wife was under, she paid. However, in Italy and France we found that it was restricted to EU residents.
Posted by
Hartford, CT, United States
92 posts
I tried to get this for my parents at Pompeii, but they wanted proof of EU citizenship. I don't know if I would have had more success if I weren't so obviously not Italian (I'm a 6' tall blonde woman and I speak Italian like a third grader). My kids get in free everywhere, but that's probably just because they're young, not because they qualify for the EU discount.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
Keri, you realize that "EU" in that context stands for European Union, right? This is not a discount for US citizens, even though "EU" is the Spanish abbreviation for the US.
Most if not all of these places will require proof of EU citizenship before granting the discount.
Posted by
Portland
3643 posts
The U.K. also does not limit the senior discount to EU citizens. In fact, they call it an OAP (old age pensioner) concession, and it's available to retirees younger than 60. I don't remember ever being asked for proof. Also, the Italians are very quirky about enforcing the EU citizen requirement. It doesn't hurt to ask if the discount is available. If they ask about your citizenship, be truthful. However, they may just ask your age and extend the discount.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
It's for EU citizens over 65 not 60.
Posted by
OP
Honolulu, HI, USA
408 posts
Sorry, yes, perhaps it is over 65 ... I did copy/paste it from the LP book and that is what it had. But you know how old folks are ... 60, 65, 70 - all the same. ;-)
We are now in Rome and indeed the free entry notice is posted at the entrance of the museums where that is the rule. So far an EU passport was accepted for entry at the National Museum and at the Coliseum. Glad we did not purchase the Roma Pass.