Official Passports and Visas
Moving to Italy with the Army is different from PCSing to other overseas locations.
Service members do not need a visa or Soggiorno (resident’s permit) to live in Italy, but family members and civilians (appropriated and non-appropriated fund) employees do. Family members who do not have a visa are not allowed to stay in Italy more than 90 days. Family members without proper documents may need to return to the United States to complete the visa/passport application process at the sponsor’s expense.
Your installation’s passport office can explain the official passport and visa application process. The Army will assist you in preparing and filing the proper documentation. It can take more than a month after you apply to receive a visa and official passport, so be sure to apply as soon as you have the necessary documents.
Official (no-fee) passports are issued to citizens traveling abroad for the U.S. Government and their dependents (if accompanied). The official passport may only be used for travel when you live or work abroad for the U.S. Government. Tourist passports are needed for personal travel. More information about official passports can be read at the State Department’s "No fee passport" page.
Citizens may hold both an official and tourist passport simultaneously. The U.S. State Department recommends having both if you plan to do any personal travel while overseas. Be sure to hand carry all official passports (with visas affixed) when you PCS to Italy. You will need to show your passports to enter Italy or any other European Union country. This guide is meant for informational purposes, and you should always check with your unit and installation for specific guidance, especially if you have special circumstances.
Command Sponsorship
If the sponsor is a service member, family members must be granted command sponsorship before the move. This is very important. Applying for command sponsorship after you arrive in Italy can be difficult and result in extra (non-reimbursable) expenses for your family. The point of contact for command sponsorship is the service member's unit (or S-1) and, for passports and visas, your current installation's transportation or passport office.
If you get married before you PCS, it is very important that you inform your commander immediately and follow his or her directions exactly as you are given them. The military will not pay for your spouse’s travel and housing if you do not follow the correct procedures. Learn more about Command Sponsorship.
Soggiornos
After arriving in Italy, both the sponsor and family members will need a resident’s permit called Soggiorno. It is important to apply for your Soggiorno as soon as you have all the necessary documentation. The application requirements can be read here.
Spouse and family member Soggiornos must be requested within eight days of arrival in Italy through the Soggiorno Office, located within the Central Processing Facility on Caserma Ederle.
Passport/Visa requirements to enter Italy
Dependents of military personnel who are command-sponsored will be issued the "no fee" (dependent) passport valid for five years.
The Italian government requires visas for all personnel staying in Italy more than 90 days. Active duty military members on NATO travel orders and holders of European Union passport holders are exempt from this requirement. The Italian government will not allow family members (holding no-fee official passports) to enter the country without the visa stamp. Family members and DoD civilians must apply for the Soggiorno permit (permesso di Soggiorno) within eight (8) days of arrival in country.
Family members and DoD civilians who are PCSing overseas are not authorized to travel to Italy on a tourist passport. They must have an official or the no-fee dependent passport with the Italian visa. Italian law requires family members to obtain the visa from the Italian consulate that has jurisdiction over the state/country the family originated from. Issuance of the Soggiorno permit by the Italian government is dependent upon the Italian visa stamped in the no-fee passport. Without the visa, the family member cannot enter the country and remain with the sponsor for the duration of the tour nor can they apply for work. Each Italian consulate has their own requirements for visa issuance.
Identification credentials:
A. Military personnel with diplomatic assignments to the American embassy and the Office of the Defense Cooperation require passports.
B. All other active duty military personnel (including those who are not U.S. citizens) may enter on military ID card and NATO travel orders. A passport with visa is not required.
C. Civilian personnel of the U.S. government or government contractors and all dependents of uniformed and civilian personnel, holding U.S. passports, intending to stay more than 90 days, must have a visa prior to arrival in Italy. U.S. passport holders staying less than 90 days, do not require visas.
(2) The visa for dependents must be "for family reasons" (visto per motivi di famiglia), not a tourist or other type visa.
D. Personnel holding non-U.S. passports must check with an Italian embassy or Italian consulate to determine visa requirements, when stationed overseas. Stateside agents should contact HW USAF/DPZ for requirements.
10. The Foreign Clearance Guide outlines basic entry requirements for overseas TDY/PCS travel for military and civilian members and/or their dependents. Passport agents should always check the FCG to determine whether passports and visas are required for travel.