Everything You Need To Know About A Vatican City Visa

Here’s some awesome news for British nationals. If you hold an official British passport, you do do not require a visa to enter the Vatican City. However, do note that your passport should have an endorsement of 'British Citizen', 'British Overseas Territories Citizen' issued by Gibraltar, 'British Subject', or an Identity Card issued by the Gibraltar Authorities.

The visa exemption facility allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days when you visit the Vatican for tourism or business purposes

Important points to consider when availing the visa exemption facility

Passport validity:

Your passport should be valid for a period of 3 months, following your exit date from the Vatican. But it is always recommended that when you plan your travel, do ensure that your passport has a validity of a minimum of 6 months from the entry date into the nation.

Blank visa pages on the passport:

You must also make sure that your passport has at least two blank pages so that the immigration officials can put the required stamps upon arrival and departure. This is a generic requirement when you plan for any international travel. You can always get additional pages added to your valid passport as and when required.

Transit visa:

If your travel itinerary includes connecting flights to other countries, then it might happen that those nations need a separate transit visa when you air-transit via their borders. Therefore ensure that you read the visa requirements for those specific countries.

National Identity Card:

If you enter Vatican City from another Schengen country, you do not need to present your passport. But you will need to carry a national identity card. Note that this document should be valid for a minimum of 3 months beyond the period of intended stay. At times, passports or travel documents older than 10 years are not accepted.

Important update on ETIAS requirement

As per an official announcement, ETIAS authorisation shall become mandatory for every British National citizen even if he or she plans to enter for a short stay (less than 3 months) in Vatican City. This will become effective from 2021. ETIAS arrive with a validity of five years and can be used to enter the country multiple times within that period.

Schengen Area Agreement and the Vatican City

Travelers often wonder if they need a Schengen visa to enter the Vatican because Italy is a part of the Schengen Area Agreement. But you should know that the Vatican City does not follow these requirements.

People usually make this confusion because Italy does not share any borders with this pilgrim nation and hence, the Vatican is also a Schengen Area state. But that is not the case. You can visit this country in the same manner as you would visit Rome! No documentation and no visa is needed.

Visa requirements for stays exceeding 90 days

When your planned period of stay exceeds 90 days, you need to secure a Schengen visa. However, since the British Embassy to the Holy See does not conduct any consular activities such as issuance of passports, travel documentation or visas, you need to contact the Italian Embassy in London.

Custom rules

Vatican City is an enclave that forms a part of the Republic of Italy. Hence, its custom regulations are similar to those of Italy. You are not allowed to import items that are classified as dangerous, such as weapons. If you do, you need to carry a valid European Firearm Pass. Custom rules also do not allow the entry of legal and illegal drugs.

You can however import goods into Italian territory provided that you follow the mandatory limits set by the government. For instance, cash or cheques above €10,000 or equivalent to this amount in foreign currencies have to be declared at the point of entry and exit. Again, if you land at the airport on a one-way ticket and fail to present proof of sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket, you may be refused entry into the nation.

Restrictions for tourists in the Vatican City

The Vatican is a holy city and tourists usually travel to visit the Church. Hence, you need to be decent with your dressing style. When you enter the Basilica of St. Peter women need to cover their heads. Shorts are not allowed. Again, photography is prohibited inside the Basilica or the Museum. If the Swiss Guards catch you in any of the above acts, you shall be escorted out of the premises.