Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Travellers with Disabilities
Southern Italy is not easygoing for disabled travellers. Cobbled streets, hair-raising traffic, blocked pavements and tiny
lifts make life very difficult for wheelchair users, and those with sight or hearing difficulties. The Italian National Tour-
ist Office in your country may be able to provide advice on Italian associations for the disabled and information on what
help is available.
Italy's national rail company, Trenitalia, offers a national helpline for disabled passengers at
199 303 060 (6.45am
to 9.30pm daily).
For more information and help, try the following organisations:
Accessible Italy
(www.accessibleitaly.com) A San Marino-based company that specialises in holiday services for dis-
abled travellers, ranging from tours to the hiring of adapted transport to romantic Italian weddings. This is the best first
port of call.
Cooperative Integrate Onlus
(CO.IN;
www.coinsociale.it
)
This Rome-based organisation provides information on the
capital (including transport and access) and is happy to share its contacts throughout Italy.
Visas
»
European citizens whose country is part of the Schengen Treaty may enter Italy with nothing more than a valid iden-
tity card or passport.
»
Residents of 28 non-EU countries - including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA - do
not require visas for tourist visits of up to 90 days (this list varies for those wanting to travel to the UK and Ireland).
»
All non-EU and non-Schengen nationals entering Italy for more than 90 days, or for any reason other than tourism
(such as study or work) may need a specific visa. Visit
www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp
or contact an Italian consulate
for details.
»
You should also have your passport stamped on entry as, without a stamp, you could encounter problems when trying
to obtain a residence permit
(permesso di soggiorno)
. If you enter the EU via another member state, get your passport
stamped there.
»
EU citizens do not require any permits to live or work in Italy but, after three months' residence, they are supposed to
register themselves at the municipal registry office where they live and offer proof of work or sufficient funds to support
themselves.
»
Non-EU foreign citizens with five years' continuous legal residence may apply for permanent residence.
Study Visas
Non-EU citizens who want to study at a university or language school in Italy must have a study visa. These can be ob-
tained from your nearest Italian embassy or consulate. You will normally need to show confirmation of your enrolment,
proof of payment of fees and adequate funds to support yourself. The visa covers only the period of the enrolment. This
type of visa is renewable within Italy but, again, only with confirmation of ongoing enrolment and proof that you are
able to support yourself (bank statements are preferred).
