Passport expiration requirements for travel to Italy?

United has a public portal for the TIMATIC database all the airlines use to verify immigration documentation:

https://www.united.com/web/en-us/apps/vendors/default.aspx?i=TIMATIC

For US passport to Italy, here's the result I got

Blockquote

Italy - Destination Passport

Passport required.

Document validity rules:
Passports and other documents accepted for entry must be valid for a minimum of 3 months beyond the period of intended stay.

Important:
Passports and/or passport replacing documents issued more than 10 years prior to date of travel are not accepted.

I'd still do the expedited passport renewal

passports must be valid for 90 days post departure from Italy

This is correct, and I am pretty sure I've seen it on US govt websites that way. Of course a US govt website is not the authority on this. The pickiest person is going to the the check in counter for your outbound flight. They operate on their own rules.

You always have to assume that the rules are what the rules state. Then the next question is --- Will someone enforce it? And that is the 64 dollar question -- and no one can really answer that. Twenty posters could say they never had a problem but that doesn't prevent you from having a problem. You cannot rely on someone's else experience as defense against a rule that someone could chose to enforce. Unless you can get Delta to state in writing that they will not enforce that requirement, it is a dice roll. Delta could be rigid on enforcement because if you were denied entry to Italy, they would be responsible for getting your home.

For other viewers this is the exact reason we always renew at the nine year mark - just in case.

I’ve heard of airlines turning you away at the gate to avoid you being turned away at passport control upon arriving. Pay to get expedited.

i personally know someone who was turned away at the gate because of the less-than-90-day expiration. Do not take a chance.

See also discussion on this recent thread: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/netherlands/entry-to-netherlands.

Look at the problem from where you will have an issue. First issue is being allowed to board the plane. Second issue is being allowed entry at immigration at your point of entry to the Schengen zone. If not allowed to board the plane; there is no amount of websites, postings on help sites, or letters from embassies that will trump that. The simple advice is CALL THE AIRLINE YOU ARE TRAVELING ON AND ASK THEM. If they refuse you boarding, nothing else matters. If they allow you to board, then it is very unlikely that you will be refused entry at the border, since they have a transit responsibility to assure you are legal to enter the destination. If they fail in that respect, they will have to fly you home at their expense plus pay a hefty fine, so they take their responsibility seriously.

If you are flying Delta, and their website says six months, then I'd believe them since they are the ones who can refuse you to board the plane.

You could call the airline and confirm the information, but your best bet may be to look into an expedited passport renewal.

I know from personal experience. If you are caught outside the guidelines (I was told 6 months for Italy, no matter what any airline tells you), the authorities will make your life miserable. Believe me when I say, it is much better to pay the expedited passport fee than to endure being turned away at the airport upon your return. You will be responsible for all delay expenses, and they are HUGE.

You are at the mercy of the airline personnel the day you fly as to how they choose to interpret the rules. If there is any doubt in their mind, its 99.9% sure they will err of the side of caution ( i.e. deny you boarding).

Raising a fuss at the gate is most likely going to get you a chat with the keepers of the peace, rather than a seat on the airplane.

Do whatever it takes for an expedited renewal and eliminate the chance for a denied boarding.

That is my $0.02 worth.

Good luck!