Complete Guide to Traveling to Italy from New Zealand: Everything you need to know [2025]

Italy is a popular long-haul destination with its unrivalled artistic and historical heritage and bounty of food, wine, fashion, and scenic landscapes. Whether you are planning to relax and explore its cultural hotspots or work or study, many memorable experiences await.

What’s more, New Zealand citizens can benefit from visa-free travel, making the prospect of a trip to the “beautiful country” even more enticing.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about travelling to Italy. We'll also introduce the Wise travel card – your perfect companion for managing expenses on your travels abroad. Wise offers the mid-market exchange rate with no markups and transparent fees to help save on international transactions.

Table of contents

New Zealand to Italy Travel Requirements Italy Visa for New Zealand Citizens Italy Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders Applying for Italy Visa from New Zealand Flying to Italy from New Zealand What can I bring into Italy Document to carry before flying to Italy Checklist for New Zealand to Italy Travel** Travel Insurance for Italy Managing Your Finances in Italy Cash Considerations Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards Save on Euro Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

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New Zealand to Italy Travel Requirements

If you have been dreaming of visiting Italy’s historical monuments or exploring its picturesque countryside, you will be pleased to hear that you won’t require a visa for short-term stays. All New Zealand citizens can visit for up to 90 days without completing any paperwork¹. This applies across a rolling 180-day period.

However, you will need a National Visa (NV) if you are planning to stay for longer than 3 months or to work or study².

Italy has also recently introduced new biometrics requirements for NVs - effective from 11 January 2025, so there’s lots more to get sorted for lengthier trips³.

All travel plans require a passport valid for up to 3 months after your planned departure date from Italy.

Italy Visa for New Zealand Citizens

You can travel to Italy for up to three months without a visa for tourist purposes and business visits. During this time, you will also be able to visit other countries in the Schengen area in Europe⁴.

However, for trips longer than 90 days, you must apply for a long-stay visa by visiting the Italian Embassy in Wellington. Any travel arrangements outside of recreation and minor business activities such as conferences also require a visa.

Common NV types for Italy include:

• Study visa: Granted for short and long-term says for study, training, apprenticeships and exchange programs
• Dependent work visa: Granted to workers with an employment contract
• Working holiday visa: Granted to 18 to 30-year-olds for holidays where employment is “incidental” and not the primary purpose. Valid for 365 days with work accounting for a maximum of 6 months and no more than 3 months with a single employer.
• Sports visa: Granted for professional sporting activities with specific organisations. Valid for a maximum of 365 days.

Here are the details for the Italian Embassy in Wellington.

Embassy	Address	Phone
Italian Embassy in Wellington	34–38 Grant Road, Thorndon, Wellington, 6011	+64-4-473-5339

Italy Visa for New Zealand Residence Permit holders

Non-NZ citizens with a resident permit won’t automatically qualify for visa-free privileges. The short-stay waiver is dependent on a passport holder’s nationality. You will need to check the list of exempted countries published by the Italian Embassy to see whether you can travel for 90 days without a visa.

You can also find out your exact visa requirements by completing a short questionnaire on the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Applying for Italy Visa from New Zealand

You won’t have to worry about visa applications for short holidays. However, anyone entering the country for longer stays and specific purposes must secure a visa before travelling. It’s best to apply at least 3 months in advance to account for processing times.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for Italian NV applications:

1. Check the requirements for National Visas to determine the appropriate visa type
2. Book an appointment at the Italian Embassy in Wellington via the ‘Visas’ webpage
3. Gather the required supporting documents. This is dependent on the NV type but will include:
   1. Passport valid for three months beyond intended stay
   2. A recent passport-style photo
   3. Full flight itinerary
   4. Proof of payment for visa processing fee
   5. Prepaid self-addressed courier envelope
4. Visit the Italian Embassy to submit a visa application
5. Provide fingerprints under new mandatory directive for NVs
6. Wait for approval — visa processing can take up to 90 days
7. Receive visa via pre-paid courier envelope

Flying to Italy from New Zealand

There aren’t any direct flights to Italy from New Zealand, but you will have plenty of options to travel with one or two stopovers en route.

Airlines operating between NZ and Italy include:

• Air New Zealand
• Emirates
• Cathay Pacific
• Singapore Airlines
• Etihad Airways

Flights to Italy typically take upwards of 30 hours with one or two stops at destinations including Dubai, Doha, Singapore, and Hong Kong. The exact flight time will depend on the routes and layovers offered by major operators but expect to arrive the next day from take off.

Most flights depart from Auckland and arrive at Fiumicino Airport in Rome where you can jet or travel onward to other popular destinations including Milan, Florence, Venice, and Naples.

What can I bring into Italy

Italy is part of the European Union. It shares customs restrictions with other member states, which makes the task of bringing over eligible goods and steering clear of prohibited items easier if you are planning a pan-European adventure⁵.

Italy bans the import of any narcotics, counterfeit goods, unlicensed weapons, or agricultural goods. You must also acquire a permit for restricted items such as meat and dairy products, so think twice before packing these.

When entering Italy from a non-EU country like New Zealand, you will be able to bring in the following without paying duty⁶:

• 4L of still wine and 16L of beer
• 1L of spirits, 1L of ethyl alcohol, and 2L of sparkling wine
• Up to 200 cigarette sticks or 250g of tobacco
• 50 cigars
• Goods up to the value of 300 EUR per traveller
• Up to 10,000 EUR in cash

You must complete and sign a declaration form and present it to the customs office when arriving if you exceed any of these limits. To get up-to-date guidance and advice, visit the official website for the Customs and Monopolies Agency.

Document to carry before flying to Italy

For a smooth passage into Italy, you will need valid documents. Here are the essentials you should have tucked away in your bag or readily at hand for the trip.

• Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from your departure from Italy - not the arrival date.
• Visa documents: You must present an NV for any forms of travel outside the short-term stays that are exempt for NZ citizens
• Itinerary evidence: Border authorities may ask the reason for your stay in Italy. Print off hotel or accommodation bookings and be ready to present return flight tickets.
• Travel insurance proof: You won’t have to worry about presenting any health certificates on arrival, but keep a copy of your travel insurance policy - either printed or as a screenshot on your phone - as proof of coverage.

Checklist for New Zealand to Italy Travel**

You need more than a passport and visa for a memorable stay in Italy. Once you have disembarked and left the airport, your attention will turn to mobile connectivity. To prevent “bill shock”, check whether your current provider in New Zealand offers international roaming before flying. This will allow you to use your data, calls, and texts in Italy. Usually, you have to pay a daily or weekly fee.

If you are worried about costs, you might want to opt for an eSIM or local prepaid SIM. You can purchase an eSIM before you travel. One of the best providers is Arialo, which offers a “Europe eSIM” — useful if you plan on visiting other European countries.

Don’t leave without these items, either:

• Travel adapters and electronics: Pack in a couple of travel adapters for the Type C, F, and L electrical plugs used in Italy.
• Appropriate clothing: Italy’s climate varies by season and region. Take light and breathable clothing for hot summers (June to August), but consider warmer layers during winter (December to February), especially in northern areas.
• Health and safety items: Don’t forget to pack prescription medication, basic bandages and plasters, and sunscreen - season-dependent

Travel Insurance for Italy

When travelling such a long way to Europe, purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is a must. The right policy will ensure you are covered for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, the loss or theft of valuables, and more.

Read our complete guide to the best travel insurance in New Zealand to find the best option for you.

Managing Your Finances in Italy

Mixing up your payment methods will make it easier to pay for everything you need during your stay in Italy. Here are some tips for managing your finances.

Cash Considerations

Paying with cash is on the decline in Italy, but you are unlikely to find a vendor that doesn’t accept it, especially in smaller towns. It’s also useful to have notes and coins for smaller transactions in cafés and restaurants. The local currency in Italy is the Euro.

Exchanging currency at airports and in busy tourist areas can be pricey in terms of conversion rates and markups, which can put a dent in your budget before you get started. The same is true for ATMs, which may use a Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), so be vigilant. For some helpful tips, check out our guide to avoiding foreign ATM fees when traveling abroad 📹

Be highly vigilants of pickpockets, especially in tourist hotspots. Keep cash safe in a money belt or deep pockets in busy areas. And avoid displaying any large amounts of notes in public.

Using Your NZD Debit/Credit Cards

Using your NZD debit and credit cards shouldn’t be an issue in Italy. Most cards operating on Mastercard and Visa networks are accepted. Both Apple Pay and Google Wallet are supported in Italy⁸⁹. There are no contactless restrictions for payments with a smartphone. However, you can only make contactless payments with a debit card up to the value of 50 EUR in places where debit cards are accepted¹⁰.

You will also need to watch out for foreign transaction fee and markups on currency exchange rate with your provider⁷.

Using a multi-currency travel card such as Wise is an excellent alternative with transparent exchange rates and low fees. Available in for residents of and New Zealand supported countries, Wise offers the mid-market rate on currency conversions, which is the usually the same rate you see on Google, ensuring that you don’t lose money to extra fees or hidden mark-ups.

Save on Euro Transactions and Swipe like a local with Wise

Wise offers a convenient travel card and money transfer services that make managing your finances abroad a breeze. The Wise card lets you spend like a local in over 150+ countries.

Get started with Wise 🚀

Here's why Wise is a great choice for your international travels:

• Excellent exchange rates: Always get the mid-market exchange rate – the same one you usually see on Google – so you get the most out of your money.
• Low, transparent fees: Say goodbye to hidden charges and hefty markups. Wise keeps its fees low and transparent, so you know exactly what you're paying.
• Convenient card and app: Use your Wise card to swipe like a local in supported countries. Manage your money, track spending, and even freeze your card if needed, all through the Wise app.
• Cash withdrawals: Easily withdraw cash from supported ATMs abroad with low, transparent fees. But be mindful that ATM providers may charge their own cash withdrawal fees.
• International transfers: Send money abroad with the same mid-market exchange rates and low fees.

Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. https://ambwellington.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/
2. https://ambwellington.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/national-visas/
3. https://ambwellington.esteri.it/en/news/dall_ambasciata/2025/01/biometrics-requirements-for-national-visas-from-11-january-2025/
4. https://ambwellington.esteri.it/it/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/schengen-visas/
5. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/index_en.htm
6. https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/alcohol-tobacco-cash/index_en.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
7. https://www.anz.co.nz/personal/travel-foreign-exchange/travel-money/
8. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102775
9. https://support.google.com/googlepay/answer/12429287?hl=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com#zippy=%2Cpay-in-store%2Cpay-online-or-in-apps
10. https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/living-in-france/how-to-pay-with-your-phone.html#:~:text=exist%20for%20watches.-,No%20payment%20limit,by%20Europe%20to%20secure%20payments