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General Information for Tourists in Italy

Language

Italian is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourist areas, marinas, and coastal destinations.

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET): GMT+1 in winter, GMT+2 in summer (daylight saving observed).

Currency

The official currency is the Euro (€). ATMs are widely available throughout the country.

Tax

Standard VAT: 22%. Reduced rates of 10%, 5%, and 4% apply to hotel accommodation, certain food products, publications, and specific goods/services.

Electricity & Plugs

230 volts at 50 Hz. Socket types C, F, and L (European standard). Type C has two round pins, type F has two round pins with grounding clips, and type L has three round pins in a line. Bring an appropriate adapter for your devices.

Telephone Code

+39 (0039)

Emergency Numbers

  • General Emergency: 112
  • Ambulance / Medical Emergency: 118
  • Fire Department: 115
  • Police: 113
  • Coast Guard / Sea Rescue: 1530
  • Roadside Assistance: 116

For maritime emergencies at sea, contact the Coast Guard at 1530 or use marine VHF radio channel 16.

Fishing Regulations

Recreational fishing is permitted in Italy with specific regulations varying by region and water type.

Fishing License Requirements

  • Saltwater fishing from shore: No license required in most regions.
  • Freshwater and inland waters: Fishing license ([translate:Licenza di pesca sportiva]) is mandatory for persons aged 14 and older. Children under 14 may fish without a license.

License Types:

  • Type B (annual): €35, valid for one year
  • Type C (tourist): €10, valid for 15 days
  • Type D (foreign nationals): €13-34 depending on duration (90 days to one year)

Licenses are purchased through regional authorities, banks, post offices, or online. An Italian Tax ID number may be required for certain license types.

Daily Catch Limits

  • Freshwater: Typically 3-6 kg of fish per day or 4 salmonids per day (varies by region)
  • Saltwater: 5 kg per person per day
  • European seabass: Maximum 2 specimens per fisher per day, minimum size 42 cm

Prohibited Fishing Methods

  • All types of nets (except authorized for certain professional uses)
  • Explosives, electricity, or poisons
  • Spearfishing and trawling require special permits and are restricted by season and zone
  • Artificial lighting from vessels (except in designated areas with permits)
  • Commercial equipment for recreational purposes

Permitted Equipment

  • Maximum 2-3 fishing rods per angler
  • Maximum 5 lures/hooks per rod (specific limits vary by region)
  • Maximum 100 hooks per vessel for recreational bottom longline fishing (reduced from 200 hooks in 2024)
  • Only indigenous live bait permitted; restrictions on non-native species

Special Species Restrictions

Protected species cannot be caught and must be released immediately if caught accidentally:

  • Certain sharks and rays
  • Protected marine mammals
  • Endangered species listed in regional and national regulations

Minimum size restrictions apply to many species. Check local regulations for specific size limits.

Prohibited Fishing Areas

  • Designated natural reserves and national parks
  • Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) without special permits
  • Ports and busy shipping lanes without local authorization
  • Within designated distances of fish farms and aquaculture facilities
  • Archaeological and culturally protected marine zones

Seasonal Restrictions

Night fishing is only allowed in designated areas and times with appropriate permits. Some species have seasonal closures; check regional regulations for specific dates.

Recreational Diving Regulations

Recreational diving is widely practiced in Italy, particularly in coastal areas and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Certification and Permits

  • Divers must have a recognized international certification (e.g., PADI, CMAS, SSI, ESA)
  • Open Water certification allows diving to 18 meters depth
  • Advanced certification allows diving to 30 meters depth
  • Specialized certification required for depths beyond 40 meters

Diving Restrictions

  • Maximum depth for recreational diving: Generally 40 meters (varies by certification level)
  • Buddy system mandatory; solo diving prohibited
  • Cave and wreck penetration beyond 30 meters or beyond natural light requires specialized certification
  • Night diving or decompression diving may be restricted and require special authorization

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Italy has numerous MPAs divided into zones (A, B, C) based on protection levels:

  • Zone A (Core/Strict Protection): Diving prohibited or severely restricted; only authorized scientific research and guided tours permitted
  • Zone B (General Reserve): Diving allowed through authorized diving centers with permits
  • Zone C (Partial Reserve): Diving permitted with fewer restrictions, but local regulations apply

Major MPAs: Portofino, Cinque Terre, Tuscan Archipelago, Egadi Islands, Tremiti Islands, Ustica, Sardinia, Sicily, Miramare, and others. Independent diving in MPAs often requires booking through licensed diving centers.

Safety Requirements

  • Display the international diver-down flag (Alpha flag) on vessel or buoy
  • Maintain at least 50 meters clearance from vessels not involved in the dive
  • Carry appropriate diving equipment and signaling devices
  • Pre-dive safety checks mandatory

Prohibited Activities While Diving

  • Spearfishing or use of fishing tools while diving
  • Collection or disturbance of marine flora and fauna
  • Damage to coral, seagrass beds, or underwater ecosystems
  • Retrieval, photography, or movement of archaeological artifacts without authorization
  • Taking photos or videos in restricted areas without written approval

Diver Obligations

  • Report any discovery of archaeological artifacts, wrecks, or objects of interest to authorities
  • Respect all local regulations and protected area boundaries
  • Follow instructions from diving center professionals and park authorities

General Recommendation

Contact a local certified diving center before diving, especially in MPAs. Diving centers can arrange permits, provide local knowledge, ensure compliance with regulations, and offer guided diving tours to the best sites.

Drone Regulations

Italy follows European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations for drone operations.

General Flight Rules

  • Maximum altitude: 120 meters above ground level (some sources cite 70 meters for certain operations; verify with ENAC)
  • Direct visual line of sight (VLOS) must be maintained at all times
  • Maximum horizontal distance: 500 meters from operator
  • Fly only during daylight hours (night flights require special authorization)
  • Do not fly over crowds, gatherings of people, or densely populated urban areas

Registration and Licensing Requirements

Operator Registration: Mandatory for drones over 250 grams or equipped with cameras/microphones, regardless of weight. Register with ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) at age 14 or older.

Drone License:

  • A1/A3 License (Open Category): Required for drones over 250 grams
  • A2 License: Required for flying closer to people with additional requirements
  • Not required for drones under 250 grams without cameras

Insurance: Mandatory third-party liability insurance for all drone operations in Italy.

EASA Drone Categories

Open Category (low-risk flights):

  • Drones under 25 kg
  • Maximum altitude 120 meters
  • VLOS operations only
  • Subcategories A1, A2, A3 based on weight and proximity to people

Special Category (high-risk flights):

  • Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
  • Flying in close proximity to people or controlled areas
  • Requires ENAC authorization or formal declaration

Prohibited Flight Zones

  • Within 8 km of airports
  • Within 3 km of heliports
  • Over military zones and government facilities
  • Over archaeological sites, cultural heritage areas, and historic city centers (Rome, Venice, Florence, etc.)
  • Over private or public property without permission
  • In national parks and natural protected areas (strict bans in many parks)
  • Temporary no-fly zones established by ENAC for safety or security reasons

D-Flight System

Italy uses the D-Flight platform (www.d-flight.it), ENAC's official mapping system, to:

  • Check prohibited and restricted drone zones (color-coded: red = banned, yellow = restricted, green = allowed)
  • Verify maximum allowed flight altitude in specific areas
  • Generate required QR codes for drone registration
  • Report planned flights in certain operational categories

Always check D-Flight before flying to ensure compliance with local restrictions.

Penalties for Violations

Violations may result in:

  • Fines from €700 to several thousand euros
  • Drone confiscation
  • Criminal charges (especially in sensitive zones like airports, military areas, or archaeological sites)
  • Suspension or revocation of pilot licenses

Additional Sailing Information

Charter Requirements

Bareboat yacht charters require a valid sailing license and proof of sailing experience. For those without licenses, crewed charters with professional skippers are available. Yachting insurance covering maritime activities is highly recommended.

Best Sailing Season

Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) are optimal for sailing: warm weather, fewer tourists, calmer seas, and ideal wind conditions.

Safety Tips

  • Check local weather forecasts and maritime advisories before departure
  • Respect Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and nature reserve boundaries
  • Carry appropriate identification, documentation, and communication devices (VHF radio, mobile phone)
  • Obtain all necessary permits and licenses before activities
  • Use authorized and insured marinas, service providers, and facilities
  • Familiarize yourself with local maritime regulations and emergency procedures

Important Notes

Regulations may vary by region and are subject to change. Always verify the latest updates and local advisories for your specific destination in Italy. For official information, consult:

  • ENAC (Italian Civil Aviation Authority) for drone regulations
  • Regional fishing authorities for fishing licenses and regulations
  • Local harbor master offices and Marine Protected Area authorities for diving and maritime regulations