In recent months, many Italian travelers have faced real challenges organizing their next vacation abroad. On one hand, some areas are currently involved in war and are absolutely not recommended to visit at the moment. On the other hand, there have been endless waits for passport renewals or issuance. Despite this, traveling abroad is still possible! In this article, we want to provide you with a comprehensive list of countries where you can go without a passport and help clarify the issue!
Europe, European Union, Schengen Area: What Are We Talking About?
Before diving into the long list of countries where you can travel without a passport, it’s important to clarify the European situation. There are some terms and regulations we often hear about, but which can cause some confusion.
First of all, when we talk about Europe, we mean the European continent, which includes a total of 50 countries. Of these 50 nations, only 27 are part of the European Union, a supranational political and economic community that allows residents to move freely among member states.
Italy is a member of the European Union and so, as many already know, it is possible to visit other member states using simply your ID card.
When we talk about the Schengen Area we refer to countries where you can move freely because internal borders have been abolished. Therefore, no identity checks are required to enter these states. The Schengen Area includes 23 of the 27 European Union states (excluding Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania) and 4 non-EU states:: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Also included in the Schengen agreements are the Principality of Monaco via France and from Italy also San Marino and the Vatican City.
What You Need to Travel Without a Passport
When traveling without a passport, the only valid document you should use is an ID card valid for travel abroad, so other documents like a driver’s license are not accepted. Some countries may also require that the document have a remaining validity of at least three or six months, but rules vary from country to country.
Before booking your vacation and before departure, we recommend always checking the website viaggiaresicuri.it. This is a useful and essential service provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which provides all information about the country you intend to visit, including behavioral rules, required documents, and safety updates.
Where to Go With Your ID Card in Europe
Let’s now look in detail at the European destinations you can visit from Italy with only a valid ID card for travel abroad.
European Union
In Europe, you can travel without a passport and with an ID card among all European Union countries, including those that have not joined the Schengen Area.
Specifically, the destinations you can consider for your next trip are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Hungary.
Portugal also includes the archipelago of Madeira and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. Spain includes the Canary Islands , including the islands ofTenerife and Gran Canaria. and Gran Canaria.
Europe
Now let’s move on to those European countries that, although not part of the European Union, can be visited with only a valid ID card for travel abroad.
If you dream of summer escapes from the Italian heat to the Nordic cold, you can rest easy. The most popular destinations for this type of vacation are Norway and Iceland (discover the group trip organized by Meeters!), both part of the Schengen agreements. You can enjoy snowy landscapes even in August and, if you’re lucky, witness the mystical beauty of the northern lights.
In the Balkan Peninsula, there are some states belonging to the European community and others that are not yet members but have applied to join. This territory can still be visited with some clarifications.
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia require a passport with at least three months of remaining validity. So you can plan your vacation if you already have a passport even if it will expire in a few months, without having to wait for renewal.
You can instead plan your trip with an ID card in total relaxation to Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, Kosovo, Serbia, and Slovenia.
Switzerland can also be visited without any problem, accessible both by car and by scheduled flights. However, if you have an expired electronic ID card but with a paper renewal, you will not be admitted. can then be visited without any problem, accessible both by car and by scheduled flights. However, in this case, if you have an expired electronic ID card but a paper renewal, you will not be admitted.
Finally, the Principality of Andorra, between France and Spain, is neither part of the European Union nor the Schengen treaties, but having transit agreements with neighboring countries allows EU citizens to enter with only their ID card.
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Traveling to Overseas Territories
Among the destinations you can reach without a passport and with the whole family are also overseas territories. This definition includes all those territories that were dependent colonies of European countries.
Today, discover what we have planned in Italy and worldwide for traveling in new ways and with new friends!