have I misunderstood entry requirements to travel from the U.S. to Italy?

Many times I have had to check in at the airport. I would not stress.

Well that's good to know checking in at the airport is not that big of a deal but am I correct that I don't need a negative COVID test, just my vaccination card?

It is very common not to get a pre-boarding pass. The airline is required to check and verify you passport so they want to see. In the US there is no exit immigration as common in Europe but the airline serve part of that function to verify that you have an acceptable passport -- mostly checking expiration.

You have not misunderstood. You do not need a negative covid test to enter Italy IF you have proof of completion of vaccination (2 shots if Pfizer or Moderna) plus booster if the 2d vaccination was more than 9 months ago). Your CDC card showing the vaccinations is acceptable proof.

Here is the official Italy website:

https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/dettaglioContenutiNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?lingua=english&id=5412&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto&tab=1

You do not need a test since your are vaccinated and boosted

Thank you all for the replies. I am beginning to breathe again.

So, when you check in at the counter tomorrow you’ll probably have no problem since Boston has international flights and the desk folks are used to looking regulations up. BUT, just be ready to stand your ground on not needing a Covid test and ask for escalation to a supervisor if needed.

When I flew last Oct the Desk agent at my local non-international airport said I needed a covid test for France. I knew I did not and asked her to keep reading on her screen to the section on fully vaxxed passengers. She did and found the correct answer.

I was very nice but firm.

You don’t need a negative COVID test to get into Italy. They most probably just want to verify your documents. For some reason, between my husband and me, I’m the one that normally has to have their passport verified at the counter.

I would suggest though that you have readily available on your phone the current regulations. Last summer when we went to Italy the rule was two doses of vaccine. But my son and his girlfriend called me panicked from Atlanta airport saying Delta agent claimed they needed a covid test. I told them to ask to speak to a supervisor. In the mean time, I proceeded to find and send them the current requirements that were listed on Delta site even. The second person they spoke to knew the rules and they never had to do more.

It is a bit stressful with extra layer of things to contend with because of Covid. It is so worth it though. We had a marvelous time and I am sure you will too.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and the suggestion to have regulations saved on my phone and to ask to speak to a supervisor if problems arise. I wouldn't have thought of doing either. I haven't flown to Europe often and this is my first post-Covid trip. I have always flown directly to Europe, however, not through another United States city. This time I am going through Dulles. I do wonder if that additional leg is causing some of the problem. I will be much better prepared though thanks to all of the above responses and I deeply appreciate the support.

If you have a chance, circle back and let us know how the experience was.

The more info you have in your back pocket, so to speak, the more confident you’ll be should any questions arise. And…now that you’re prepared, you’ll probably sailbthrough, lol!!

🛫

Thank you to the Rick Steve’s community for all the information and sharing of experiences. I arrived at the airport early, in case complications continued, but no, I was checked in through a kiosk with incredible ease. Neither the EUDPLF form nor vaccination card needed to be shown to anyone. The “Travel Ready Center” seemed to have worked. Prior to Covid, I traveled several times a year and encountered all manner of things but this was by far the most inexplicable and frustrating. If the messaging from United had been different or the United person I eventually spoke with had been more reassuring, I would have been calmer. Thank you for taking the time to tell me it would be okay. It turned out to be just fine.

Lauri, so glad to hear that it all went smoothly and now you can enjoy your trip in bella Italia. When I was reading your original post I was thinking that this sounds like something that would happen to me! This forum has been a godsend when in the middle of several panic attacks I've had in planning travel these days.

Lauri, so glad things went well at the check in.

Laughing because I was able to check in yesterday online with Delta (a first) BUT this morning at the bag drop I had to show my passport, CDC card and the PLF for France. I did NOT mind as there was absolutely no-one else at check in and I was ridiculously early. You just never know.

So I will be going to Italy in May for an RS tour. From what I can tell, I will not need a covid test to get INTO Italy, but will need a test within 1 day of flying home to the US. The tour said they could help us find a pharmacy for the test, but I have also ordered proctored tests that I can do myself on-line with a virtual “overseer”. I also have the plf filled out for my flight into Italy. I assume Italy will want to see that. Then, for the way home, I think there is an attestation form that the airline will give us to sign? Does all this sound correct, and does anyone have any other suggestions? Landing in Venice, returning from Rome. Thanks!
Kathy

I just returned from Ireland on United Airline & experienced the same thing- all green checks but unable to print boarding pass.

At check-in there was a United rep that helped with kiosk check in to validate your passport & see your negative Covid test required for returning to US. Then the boarding pass printed for both my flight & connection.

Makes me feel better to hear the variety of experiences with check in. I know you have to stay flexible when traveling but I didn’t know you had to be this flexible.
Regarding travel requirements in May, I am pretty sure that as of May 1 the EUDPLF form is being discontinued. But good for you for figuring out how to fill the form out! I am sure that’s a useful life skill 😊. Regarding Covid testing to get back into the U.S, yes to a Covid test the day before you return. I opted for making an appointment through the Roman Guy. It seems a little more expensive than waiting and finding a pharmacy once you are there. For me, it is good for my stress level to have an appointment all lined up and to know the address of where it is. From what I have read, finding a pharmacy in Rome is easy. A lot of people seem to be opting for the self-testing. I travel solo and that would be way too stressful for me but apparently it works really well. Not sure about the attestation form but I think you are right. I think they just give that to you on the plane and it’s straightforward. I am in Dulles about to leave for Rome!

HI, Lauri, can you explain who the "roman Guy" is for your testing in Rome? We will be headed out of Rome to the US April 28-29 and would love not to stress about a pharmacy to get a test back into the US! Sound like you have a plan!

Monica, regarding getting an appointment through the Roman Guy. He offers tours in Rome as well as other countries but also offers confirmed CV testing appointments. I tracked him down by googling The Roman Guy Covid tests. I am including a link below, but one of my google efforts gave me a website only for tours while the other google effort added in the Covid testing option . I printed out my confirmation after I signed up and paid for it. The instructions seem clear. I could pick the time I wanted. https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/rome/rome-covid-test

Here you go, scroll down to the “COVID test tour”
https://theromanguy.com/tours/italy/rome?travelDate=&guests=

Location is a bit out of our way do we’ll just do the self test or a pharmacy
The cost really isn’t much more than the usual 22 euros

Hi,
So regarding the Abbott emed proctored test. I watched a video that someone had on You Tube demonstrating how it all works but have a question:

Looks like you go in thru the NAVICA app on your phone. Can I also do the actual test using my phone/phone camera since I won't have a laptop available? Has anyone done it this way?

thanks,
Kathy S.

Yes, my husband and myself did it on our phones, no computer. Worked fine.
Just need to open up a browser on your phone.

Thanks Gail!

So now that the PLF is no longer needed, do you still need to show proof of vaccination upon entering Italy? To who and when is this done?
Thank you.

I am safely back from Italy now and was very relieved when my COVID test obtained at a pharmacy in Rome through the Roman Guy was negative. I am not clear on how you stay up to date for regulations going into Italy or other European countries. For those of us who like advance planning this is tough on our nerves. What I can say is that your airline will text or email you the regulations at some point. I flew United and they have a "Travel Ready Center" where you scan and upload your passport, vaccination card, and in my case as I traveled in April, the EUDPLF. I couldn't upload the EUDPLF until three days before my flight. I know American Airlines has an equivalent "center". For the return flight, I presented the piece of paper the pharmacy gave me when I arrived at the airport. I was not able to check in until I arrived at FCO although that went smoothly. I arrived three hours in advance of my return flight. The whole waiting in line, checking in baggage, etc. etc. took a full two hours. I did have an extra hour which went quickly getting something to eat as I had left my hotel without taking time to have breakfast there. I would recommend getting to FCO three hours in advance.

If you do have to fill out the EUDPLF, I think the trick is to click on the blue "temporary save" button every chance you have; to delete the fields that ask whether you are traveling with minors; and to delete all but the first address of where you are staying section. I had enormous problems figuring out how to transport the completed form into the "Travel Ready Center" but I may have made my life harder by filling out the form days in advance of when I could actually upload it.

During my two weeks in Italy I was asked to show my vaccination card twice.

Inside buildings, hotels, museums, on buses and trains, everyone wore well fitting masks and wore them correctly. In restaurants, people wore them if not sitting at their table and waiters wore them all the time. Some people wore masks outside on crowded sidewalks. I didn't but it probably is a good idea when the crowds are thick.

On the return flight, the rules had changed. Once at cruising altitude, you could take off your mask. I would estimate that more than half of the people did take off their masks. I did not.
I just spoke with a friend whose parents were on a cruise ship of 60 people in Spain. Twenty of them had positive COVID tests when they needed to return and had to stay an extra four days in Barcelona. COVID is still here whether we like it or not.

beanie3557

You won’t be allowed to board in US without proof of vaccination OR a negative test OR a recovery letter

This can all be uploaded to your “ travel ready” or similar section on airline website or you will show at check in

Once you land nobody will ask for it (at least nobody did at FCO when we landed sun am)

We have not been asked to show CDC card at all
Yet
Rome, Orvieto, Florence
But we are eating mostly outdoors and haven’t entered any really major sights yet

I get the feeling they are “done” with those checks and expect everyone has green pass or equivalent

There is hand sanitizer and “safety” signs literally everywhere
Masks are inexpensive and easy to purchase here
Masking is enforced indoors everywhere and most are wearing outdoors as well ( nobody has their nose uncovered)
We are for sure because it is very crowded

Thank you Christine, sounds like this is about to change as of May 1, as far as indoor masking. Except for certain venues, and public transport masking will be optional.

No
Extended til June 15
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/news-from-tripadvisors-italy-forum

Sounds like they only extended masks for some venues. ( public transport, sporting events, concerts) Also correct me if im wrong , but also proof of vaccination, in say restaurants is no longer required?

I am in Italy now and have been to multiple cities, we have been asked only once to show our vaccination card.