Italy

Recommended Vaccinations For Italy

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

Although the risk of hepatitis A in Italy is low, the vaccine is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

Although the risk of hepatitis B in Italy is low, the vaccine is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

Travellers who plan to visit the regions of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, and Puglia during early spring to late autumn and hike or camp in rural or forested areas that provide a habitat for the ticks that carry the virus should consider obtaining this vaccine.

Rabies Vaccine

The rabies vaccination is recommended for those travellers whose activities or work may bring them into contact with bats.

Recommended Medications For Italy

There are no recommendations for Italy at this time.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Italy

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a risk of hepatitis B in this country.

For Some Travellers

Tuberculosis

Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with an infected person.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Measles

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis

**There is a risk of Tick-Borne Encephalitis in some areas of this country. The main affected regions are Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, and Puglia. The transmission season varies, however, ticks are most active during early spring to late autumn.**

Rabies

**Although rabies has been reported in bats in Italy, it is considered a low risk for travellers.**

Safety & Security in Italy

Personal Safety

Petty crime affects major tourist destinations throughout Italy, particularly in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Venice. Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur frequently in crowded areas, public transport, train stations, and at popular sites like the Colosseum, Vatican, and St. Peter’s Square. Rome experienced up to 100 muggings daily at peak times in 2024, with police making nearly 700 arrests. Organized groups of thieves work in teams using distraction tactics, with one member distracting while another steals. Metro stations, buses, and major tourist attractions are prime hunting grounds. Criminals on scooters regularly snatch bags from pedestrians and sometimes reach into vehicles stopped at traffic lights. Vehicle theft and theft from parked cars happen regularly, with rental cars being frequent targets. Theft is common in the Colosseum area, Ostia, Milan, Pisa, coastal areas, and motorway service stations. Never leave luggage in vehicles, even in the trunk. Credit card fraud and ATM skimming occur in popular tourist areas. The Jubilee Holy Year running from December 2024 to January 2026 brings up to 32 million visitors to Rome, increasing both crowds and petty crime risk. Violent crime remains very rare, with a homicide rate of 0.51 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021, among the lowest in Europe. Southern Italy, including Sicily and Calabria, has some of the lowest violent crime rates despite media portrayals. Organized crime groups operate but do not target tourists. Street scams are common, including people offering bracelets then demanding payment, fake petitions, and overpriced taxis. Some taxi drivers overcharge tourists, though official taxis are generally safe.

Extreme Violence

Italy recorded no terrorist incidents in 2023 according to US State Department reports. However, the US maintains a Level 2 travel advisory due to potential terrorism threats. According to Europol, 20 of the 58 terrorist attacks reported across 14 EU member states in 2024 occurred in Italy. Italian authorities identify several potential threats including terrorists from North Africa, returning foreign fighters, homegrown violent extremists, anarchists, and militants from the Western Balkans. Italy remains a potential target partly due to the presence of the Vatican. Police monitoring of jihadist media sites confirms ongoing risk. Authorities have increased monitoring to identify potential lone-wolf attackers online. Italian law enforcement aggressively investigates and prosecutes terrorist suspects and regularly deports foreign nationals for terrorism-related security reasons. Security is tight at train stations and tourist sites. Some anarchist and anti-government groups conduct occasional violent demonstrations, including the use of firebombs and pipe bombs, typically targeting Italian government institutions rather than tourists or foreigners. These attacks often happen at night and have not targeted or injured foreign citizens. The violent crime homicide rate of 0.51 per 100,000 is among the lowest in Europe. Organized crime groups like the mafia operate but focus on financial crimes such as corruption, extortion, and theft rather than violence against tourists or visitors.

Political Unrest

Demonstrations and strikes occur regularly throughout Italy, particularly in larger cities, often with little notice. Labor unions organize general strikes, with recent major strikes in September and October 2025 involving hundreds of thousands of participants protesting various issues including international conflicts and government policies. These strikes can paralyze public transport, close schools, and disrupt traffic routes. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent. Recent protests in Milan resulted in clashes at Centrale station, while demonstrations in Turin, Naples, and Rome led to station occupations and rail traffic blockades. Port workers have blocked Israeli ships from docking in cities like Livorno and Taranto. The current government faces criticism from opposition groups and civil society organizations, leading to frequent organized actions. Student movements occupy universities and schools, particularly in Rome, Turin, and Florence. Demonstrations during the Jubilee Holy Year in Rome may cause additional disruptions given the large crowds and heightened security presence. Anti-government and anarchist groups sometimes stage unsanctioned protests that can result in violence, though these typically target Italian government institutions rather than foreign visitors. Italian authorities maintain increased security around government buildings, including the Presidential Palace and Judicial Palace. Most protests relate to Italian internal political developments or social issues rather than targeting foreigners.

Areas To Avoid

Rome experiences the highest concentration of tourist-related crime, particularly around Termini station, the Colosseum, Vatican City, and St. Peter’s Square. The metro system and crowded tourist areas see frequent pickpocketing and mugging. During the Jubilee Holy Year through January 2026, expect massive crowds and increased petty crime. Pisa and Rome had particularly concerning crime rates in 2024 and 2025. Milan ranks highest for reported crimes in Italy, though theft rates are lower than Barcelona and London. The Centrale station and metro are hotspots for pickpockets. Venice faces significant pickpocketing problems, with local vigilante groups attempting to combat thieves. Naples has an unearned reputation for danger, with organized crime operating in shadows rather than bothering tourists, though petty theft remains common. The Dolomites present natural hazards with fatal hiking incidents occurring regularly. Mount Etna near Catania poses volcanic eruption risks, with severe eruptions in July 2024 closing the airport and creating dangerous air quality. Sicily and Sardinia face periodic wildfire risks during summer months from June to September, particularly in heavily forested regions. Southern Italy experiences water scarcity issues, with Sicily facing its worst drought in over 30 years in 2024. Florence, while generally safe, experiences typical tourist-area petty crime. Coastal areas and motorway service stations see vehicle theft. Rural areas may have less consistent infrastructure and water quality compared to urban centers.