Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Visas
Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland do not need a visa to visit Italy. Nationals of some other
countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA, do not require visas for tourist
visits of up to 90 days. For more information and a list of countries whose citizens require a visa, check the website of
the
Italian foreign ministry
(
www.esteri.it
)
.
The standard tourist visa issued by Italian consulates is the Schengen visa, valid for up to 90 days. This visa is valid
for travel in Italy and in several other European countries with which Italy has a reciprocal visa agreement (see
www.eurovisa.info
for the full list). These visas are not renewable inside Italy.
Permits
EU citizens do not need permits to live, work or start a business in Italy, but they are advised to register with a
questura
(police station) if they take up residence. Non-EU citizens coming to Venice for work or long-term study require study
and work visas, which you must apply for in your country of residence.
Women Travellers
Of the major travel destinations in Italy, Venice is among the safest for women, given the low rate of violent crime of
any kind in Venice proper. Chief annoyances would be getting chatted up by other travellers in Piazza San Marco or on
the more popular Lido beaches, usually easily quashed with a '
Non mi interessa
' (I'm not interested) or that univer-
sally crushing response, the exasperated eye roll.
Centro Anti-Violenza
(Anti-Violence Centre; toll-free in case of emergency 1522 041 269 06 10; Viale G
Garibaldi 155a, Villa Franchin, Mestre; 9am-6pm Mon-Thu) is a violence-prevention organisation that includes a
women's centre offering legal advice, counselling and support to women who have been assaulted, regardless of nation-
ality. All services are free. Take bus 2 from Piazzale Roma.
