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Italy for someone with a criminal record

A friend would like to plan a trip to Italy, but he's had a felony conviction in the United States. This was not related to drugs and he has a valid passport. I've scoured the internet and looked at the state department website and cannot find anywhere where it says he cannot travel to Italy. Does anyone have different information?

Posted by
8293 posts

Contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate. The State Department of the USA is not the right place for info on Italian law, in my opinion

Posted by
15043 posts

Americans don’t need a visa to visit Europe for up to 90 days, so unless your friend is in the terrorist no fly list, nobody in Italy will know.

Posted by
1662 posts

This was not related to drugs and he has a valid passport.

"Not drugs" but must be something of importance for his fear to get flagged.

I'm not suggesting you reveal his personal record or information, but if he has a valid/current passport, then why are you guys worried? (Rhetorically), was his conviction after having his passport?

We really can't answer the question -- especially since it involves a felony. And, even if someone has some knowledge, I doubt they want to get involved or be held to "their opinion."

It's way too personal for your friend. Contact the Consulate, Embassy or maybe get a consult from an International Attorney who practices in the States and is also well versed in Italian law.

I'm not suggesting either that this is not a legit question, but one of the rules on the forum is to not contribute to law-breaking or nefarious activity.

Posted by
1662 posts

Out of curiosity, I did a google search and many blogs, articles, discussions etc. came up. Some are almost 10 years old, so can't rely on the current accuracy.

Anyway, take heed to suggestions of calling the Consulate, Embassy or an International Attorney for the most up-to-date answers. Obviously, you can be specific with them compared to a very public forum.

Posted by
8091 posts

I would think it would be according to the regulations of the entry country in Europe. You never know when criminal records are checked on those incoming at any country.
I have heard rumors that the U.K. is tough on those entering there.
When we entered Ireland last May, they took an entry picture of us in customs. And then we were requested to have another picture taken before clearing the airport terminal. I almost felt like they were scanning our facial features into a data bank.

Posted by
1674 posts

You have have my sympathy in dealing with this. Old convictions can impose a continuing punishment not remotely connected to a person's law breaking. Contacting the Italian Consulate sounds like a futile effort to me. Getting a bureaucrat to give a definitive answer to a question that needs an international legal expert is just asking too much. This article details the Italian prohibitions on visitors: https://poliziamoderna.poliziadistato.it/articolo/56c4912a081e7812866134

While the above details requirements that are definitely ignored in ordinary circumstances, there's a section on criminal convictions which Google translates as:

- is not condemned, even as a result of plea bargaining, for the offenses provided for in Article 380, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code, or for crimes related to drugs, sexual freedom, the facilitation of illegal immigration to Italy and illegal emigration from Italy to other States or for crimes aimed at recruiting people to be used for prostitution or for the exploitation of prostitution or for minors to be used in illegal activities;

Now you can decide for your friend if the Article 380 1 & 2 applies. It seems to apply to serious stuff, but it's long. Read about it here: https://www.brocardi.it/codice-di-procedura-penale/libro-quinto/titolo-vi/art380.html

Lastly, keep it in perspective for I think Roberto da Firenze is right, the chance are overwhelming that nobody will know.