This guide covers the UK visa from Italy in 2026: the ETA now required of Italian citizens, current fees in euros, and the visa routes for work, study, and non-EU residents. Since Brexit, Italian nationals are visa-free for short visits but need an Electronic Travel Authorisation to travel. Whether you need a quick ETA for a London trip or a longer-stay visa, this guide sets out the requirements, costs, and how to apply.
Source: Home Office ETA datasets and entry clearance visa fees, year ending March 2026.
Italian citizens have needed an ETA since 2 April 2025, and it is now fully enforced — no ETA, no boarding. In the year to March 2026 the UK issued about 1.84 million ETAs to Italian nationals at a 99.6% approval rate, one of the largest ETA markets. The ETA costs €19 and lasts two years; only non-EU residents of Italy need an actual visa.
UK Visa from Italy: Requirements and Fees 2026
Italy and Britain share nearly two millennia of history — Romans founded Londinium in 43 AD, making Italians the first builders of what became Britain's capital. Today around 340,000 Italian nationals live in the UK, with long-rooted communities in Bedford, London's Clerkenwell, and Manchester. Since Brexit, though, Italian travellers face the same ETA system as other visa-exempt nationals, and it must be approved before boarding.
Italian citizens do not need a visa for visits of up to six months, but they do need an ETA (€19, valid two years) obtained through the UK ETA App. Non-EU residents of Italy need a Standard Visitor visa (€152) instead. For work, study, or family stays, Italian nationals apply for the relevant visa and give biometrics through the UK Immigration: ID Check App — no visa centre visit.
UK Entry Requirements from Italy
Entry is straightforward for short trips but no longer automatic. Italian nationals can no longer use EU lanes and pass through the same control as other non-EU visitors. The core requirement is a valid passport plus an approved ETA before travel — the ETA is checked at boarding, so it must be in hand before you leave Italy.
- A valid passport for the duration of the stay
- An approved ETA (€19, valid two years, via the UK ETA App)
- Evidence of return or onward travel
- Accommodation details or a host's address
- Enough funds to support the visit without working
- Genuine intention to leave within six months
At the border, officers may ask about your plans, accommodation, and funds, though detailed questioning is rare for Italian visitors. Keeping your booking and return ticket on your phone speeds things up. Travellers from elsewhere in the region face the same system, including those covered by our France ETA guidance.
Do Italians Need a Visa for the UK?
It depends on your nationality, not your residence. Italian citizens need only an ETA (€19) for visits up to six months. Non-EU residents of Italy — Indian or Pakistani passport holders, for example — need a Standard Visitor visa (€152) regardless of their Italian residence status. For work or study beyond six months, every nationality needs the appropriate visa.
Free movement between the EU and UK ended on 31 December 2020, so Italian citizens are now visa-exempt nationals for short visits — they can visit without a visa but cannot work, study courses over six months, or access public funds. According to the official gov.uk ETA guidance, Italian citizens have needed an ETA since 2 April 2025, with a 99.6% issue rate in the latest Home Office figures — approval is effectively automatic for eligible travellers.
UK Requirements by Nationality (from Italy)
| Your Nationality | What You Need | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Italian citizen | ETA (UK ETA App) | €19 |
| Other EU/EEA citizen in Italy | ETA (UK ETA App) | €19 |
| Indian passport holder in Italy | Standard Visitor visa | €152 |
| Pakistani passport holder in Italy | Standard Visitor visa | €152 |
| Other non-EU resident of Italy | Standard Visitor visa | €152 |
The full rules, exemptions, and how the scheme works across nationalities are covered in our guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. The same ETA route applies to German citizens travelling to the UK.
UK Tourist Visa from Italy
Italian citizens need no tourist visa — only the €19 ETA for visits up to six months. Non-EU residents of Italy need a Standard Visitor visa (€152) for any trip. Both cover tourism, sightseeing, and visiting friends or family. Italian nationals apply via the ETA app; non-EU residents apply through the visa centre in Milan or Rome.
"UK tourist visa from Italy" means different things by nationality. An Italian passport holder visiting as a tourist only needs an ETA. A non-EU national living in Italy must apply for a Standard Visitor visa, regardless of how long they have lived there.
What You Can Do as a Visitor
- Tourism: sightseeing, attractions, events, and festivals
- Family visits: seeing friends and relatives in the UK
- Business activities: meetings, conferences, and negotiations — no paid work
- Short courses: study up to 30 days where it is not the main purpose
- Private medical treatment at UK private facilities
- Transit through the UK to another destination
For repeat trips, the long-term visitor visa allows unlimited entries over two, five, or ten years while still capping each stay at six months.
UK Visa Fees from Italy 2026
Italian citizens pay €19 for an ETA. Non-EU residents of Italy pay from €152 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa. Work visas run from €924, the Student visa is €671, and a partner/family visa is €2,481. All fees are paid in euros and are non-refundable. These figures reflect the fee schedule current in 2026.
Home Office fees are set in pounds and shown in euros for applicants in Italy and the eurozone. The figures below are pulled from the official fee calculator and apply identically across euro-currency countries.
Visitor and Short-Stay Fees
| Visa Type | Fee (EUR) | Max Stay Per Visit |
|---|---|---|
| ETA (Italian citizens) | €19 | 6 months |
| Standard Visitor (6 months) | €152 | 6 months |
| Long-term Visitor (2 years) | €569 | 6 months |
| Long-term Visitor (5 years) | €1,015 | 6 months |
| Long-term Visitor (10 years) | €1,268 | 6 months |
| Marriage Visitor | €152 | 6 months |
| Private Medical Treatment | €263 | 11 months |
| Direct Airside Transit (DATV) | €47 | Airside only |
| Visitor in Transit | €84 | 48 hours |
For travellers planning repeat trips, the long-term visitor visa spreads the cost over several years while still capping each stay at six months.
Work, Study and Family Fees
| Visa Category | Fee (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Student | €671 |
| Skilled Worker (up to 3 years) | €924 |
| Skilled Worker (over 3 years) | €1,825 |
| Health and Care Worker (up to 3 years) | €365 |
| Youth Mobility Scheme | €383 |
| Partner / Family visa | €2,481 |
| Adult Dependent Relative | €4,370 |
| Priority service | +€597 |
| Super Priority service | +€1,194 |
Any visa over six months also carries the Immigration Health Surcharge, charged in pounds at £1,035 a year (students and Youth Mobility participants pay £776). It is paid on top of the visa fee and is not converted to euros. Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt.
UK Visa from Italy: Documents Required
Every application needs a valid Italian passport, the completed online form, and payment confirmation. Work visas add a Certificate of Sponsorship; student visas a CAS; family visas relationship evidence. Six months of bank statements demonstrate funds. Italian citizens do not need a TB test certificate.
The documents depend on the visa category, but a common core applies across all routes. Prepare them before you start the online form so nothing holds up the application.
- Valid Italian passport with a blank page
- Completed online application and payment confirmation
- Bank statements from the last six months showing funds
- Accommodation booking or a host's invitation letter
- Work visas: Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer
- Student visas: Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)
- Family visas: marriage certificate and relationship evidence
For detailed guidance, see our guides on UK visa supporting documents and how to fill the UK visa application form. If a relative is hosting you, our guide to the sponsor's invitation letter shows what to include.
Can Italians Work in the UK?
Yes, but Italians need a work visa since Brexit ended free movement. The main route is the Skilled Worker visa (€924–€1,825), needing employer sponsorship and a salary at or above the £41,700 general threshold. Italian nationals give biometrics through the UK Immigration: ID Check App from home. The Youth Mobility Scheme (ages 18–35, €383) and the Student visa (€671) are the other common routes.
The UK's points-based system treats Italian citizens like other non-EU nationals for work — you need a job offer from a licensed sponsor unless you qualify for an unsponsored route. The upside is convenience: as an EU national, you verify your identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check App rather than attending a visa centre.
Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker route is the main path for Italian nationals taking UK employment. You need a job offer from a licensed sponsor and a salary meeting the general threshold of £41,700, with lower thresholds for some roles. The fee is €924 for up to three years or €1,825 beyond that, plus the health surcharge, and it leads to settlement after five years.
Youth Mobility and Other Routes
Italian citizens aged 18 to 35 can apply under the Youth Mobility Scheme to live and work in the UK for two years; places are limited and the fee is €383. For courses over six months, the Student visa costs €671 and allows part-time work. Italians joining a British or settled partner can apply for a partner visa (€2,481), with a minimum income requirement of £29,000. Those already living in the UK before Brexit may hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
How to Apply for a UK Visa from Italy
Italian citizens have an advantage: as EU nationals they can use the ID Check App to apply without visiting a visa centre. Non-EU residents of Italy use the Milan or Rome centre for biometrics.
- Complete the online application and pay the fee in euros at gov.uk
- Italian citizens: give biometrics via the UK Immigration: ID Check App from home
- Non-EU residents: book biometrics at the Milan or Rome visa centre
- Upload your supporting documents
- Wait for the decision — about 3 weeks standard, 5 days on priority
- Receive your eVisa or a vignette in your passport
For an ETA there is no form beyond the app itself — download it, scan your passport, take a photo, and pay. If a visa decision runs late, our guide on UK visa delays explains how to chase it, and priority and super-priority services can speed things up where available. You can track timelines with our guide to processing after biometrics.
- Italian citizens need an ETA (€19), applied for via the UK ETA App — issue rate 99.6%
- For visas, Italian nationals use the ID Check App — no visa centre visit
- Non-EU residents pay €152 for a six-month Standard Visitor visa
- Work visas need sponsorship and a £41,700 general salary threshold
- The health surcharge (£1,035/year, £776 students) applies to visas over six months
- Standard processing is about three weeks; priority five working days
For official confirmation, use the gov.uk visa checker and the Standard Visitor visa guidance. Neighbouring guides cover the Spain ETA guide, Portuguese citizens and the UK, UK visa from Greece, travellers from Malta, and the Cyprus ETA guide.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK Visa for Italian Citizens
No visa is needed for visits up to six months, but Italian citizens must hold an ETA before travelling. It costs €19, lasts two years, and is obtained through the UK ETA App. The requirement has applied since 2 April 2025 and is enforced at boarding — without an approved ETA, carriers will not let Italian travellers board transport to the UK. For work or study, the appropriate visa is required.
The ETA is €19 for Italian citizens. A six-month Standard Visitor visa is €152, a two-year visitor visa €569, the Student visa €671, the Skilled Worker visa €924–€1,825, and a partner visa €2,481. Priority processing adds €597 and super priority €1,194. The health surcharge (£1,035/year, £776 students) is charged separately for visas over six months.
Every application needs a valid Italian passport, the completed online form, and payment confirmation, plus six months of bank statements showing funds. Work visas require a Certificate of Sponsorship, student visas a CAS, and family visas relationship evidence such as a marriage certificate. Italian citizens do not need a TB test certificate.
Yes, with a work visa. The main route is the Skilled Worker visa (€924–€1,825), needing sponsorship from a licensed UK employer and a salary at or above the £41,700 general threshold. Other routes include Health and Care Worker, Global Talent, High Potential Individual, and the Youth Mobility Scheme for ages 18–35. Italian nationals give biometrics through the ID Check App. Business meetings are allowed on an ETA, but paid work is not.
An Italian citizen with an ETA can stay up to six months per visit for tourism, family, or business. There is no annual cap on visits, but frequent or very long stays may prompt questions about whether you are a genuine visitor. Working, studying long-term, or settling all require the relevant visa with its own conditions.
Yes. Italian and other EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals applying for UK work, study, or family visas can verify their identity through the ID Check App from home, so no visa centre visit is needed. You scan your passport chip with your phone's NFC reader and take a photo to complete identity checks. Centres in Milan and Rome remain available if the app cannot be used.
Standard processing is about three weeks for visitor and other non-settlement visas, and up to twelve weeks for settlement visas such as partner routes. Priority service (€597) targets five working days for visitor visas, and super priority (€1,194) aims for the next working day where available. ETAs are usually decided within minutes, up to three working days.
The UK ETA App is for applying for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, which Italian citizens use for short visits up to six months. The UK Immigration: ID Check App is for giving biometrics when applying for an actual visa — work, study, or family. In short, the ETA app is for visiting and the ID Check app is for longer stays that need a visa.