Important
Travel Information

Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area and must have been issued within the last ten years. Even if your passport has not technically expired, it can still be rejected at the border if it falls outside these windows.

Check your expiration date and issue date now. If either one is close, renew early — processing times can stretch to 8–12 weeks during peak season.

• Ensure your blank pages have room for entry and exit stamps.
• Keep a color photocopy of your passport in a separate bag.
• Consider saving a digital scan in your phone or email for emergencies.

U.S. Department of State — Passport Services

Processing times vary. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.

If you are flying directly to Naples or Rome, you will clear passport control there. However, if your flight connects through another Schengen country — such as Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, or Lisbon — you will clear immigration at that first Schengen airport, not in Italy.

After clearing immigration at your connection point, your onward flight to Italy is treated as a domestic flight within the Schengen zone. There is no additional passport check when you land in Naples or Rome.

Allow extra connection time at your first Schengen entry point. Immigration lines can be lengthy, especially during summer travel season, and you will need to re-clear security after passport control before boarding your connecting flight.

Recommended connection time: at least 90 minutes for Schengen entry airports.

The Schengen Area is a zone of 29 European countries that have abolished internal border controls. Once you pass through immigration at your first point of entry, you can travel freely between Schengen countries without additional passport checks.

Italy is a Schengen member, as are most major European connection hubs including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. If you are connecting through the UK or Ireland, note that these are not part of the Schengen Area — you will need to clear immigration separately upon entering the Schengen zone.

• U.S. citizens are permitted to stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
• Carry your return flight information and hotel details in case immigration officers ask about your travel plans.

European Commission — Schengen Area

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a new travel authorization that will be required for visa-exempt travelers (including U.S. citizens) visiting Europe. ETIAS is an online application — not a visa — that must be approved before departure.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a related digital border system that will register travelers entering and exiting the Schengen area using biometric data (fingerprints and facial image). EES replaces the manual passport stamping process.

When both systems are active, the process will work together: ETIAS authorization is checked before boarding, and EES captures your biometric entry at the border.

• ETIAS applications are submitted online and are typically processed within minutes, though they can take up to 72 hours.
• Once approved, ETIAS is valid for three years or until your passport expires.
• The fee is expected to be approximately €7 for travelers aged 18–70.
• eGates (automated passport gates) may be available at select airports for ETIAS-approved travelers, speeding up the immigration process.

Official ETIAS Website — European Commission

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) — European Commission

Launch dates for ETIAS and EES have been adjusted several times. Check the official site closer to your departure for the latest status. We will update this page as new information becomes available.

A few small preparations can save significant time at the airport, particularly during peak summer travel season.

• Check in online 24 hours before departure and download your boarding pass to your phone.
• Arrive early. For international flights, plan to be at the airport at least 3 hours before departure.
• Organize your carry-on so electronics and liquids are easily accessible for security screening.
• Wear easy-to-remove shoes and avoid excessive metal accessories to speed through screening.
• Keep your passport and boarding pass together in a single, accessible pocket or holder.
• Download your airline’s app for real-time gate changes, delays, and boarding notifications.
• If connecting in Europe, allow generous layover time for immigration at your first Schengen airport.

TSA PreCheck and Clear can significantly reduce domestic security wait times on your outbound U.S. departure.

Meet & Assist services provide a personal greeter who can meet you upon arrival and help guide you through the airport, including baggage claim, customs, and finding your driver or transfer. They are a great option for travelers looking for a smoother, less stressful arrival experience.

Important Note: Please note that Meet & Assist services cannot guarantee expedited immigration processing, which is always subject to airport and border-control regulations.