ALERTS
European Entry and Exit System (EES)
With the introduction of the Europe-wide entry and exit system (EES) (now delayed until October 2025), biometric data will need to be recorded on entry and exit for third country travelers. While this negates the need to have passports stamped, it will require a visit to an official office at a port of entry, therefore flexible clearance at marinas may no longer be possible once it is implemented. It is not yet known how rigidly EES will be enforced for pleasure boat users.
Russian-Flag
In April 2022, Russian-flagged vessels, including those that changed their flag after February 24, 2022, were banned from entering any ports in Italy. The ban is still in place. See news item for details
Ports of Entry:
It is possible to enter Italy in most harbours as the Coastguard (
Guardia Costiera) have offices in most ports. The larger harbours have Customs offices
(Guardia di Finanza). Click on the anchor icon in the blue bar near the top of the page to see a list of ports of entry. Officials won't visit your vessel, the skipper will have to go ashore and find the authorities for clearing in. Yachts have got into trouble for failing to report to the authorities.
If you arrive at the weekend or on public holidays when the authorities are closed, be sure to limit time ashore and wait on board until Monday morning when you can proceed with entry clearance.
It has been reported by cruisers heading to Tunisia from Sicily that it is possible to clear out of Italy at Lampedusa (see Italy comments) - an Italian island half way between Sicily and Tunisia. We don't have this port of entry on Noonsite currently and have not verified this feedback.
Italy Arrival Procedures for Yachts
International Inward Clearance:
EU Boats:
Italy is a member of the European Union and therefore vessels (under 24m) arriving from another EU country, with only EU nationals on board, are not required to complete any formalities. If there are non-EU nationals on board, technically if they are already checked into Schengen then no visit to Immigration is required. However it may be prudent to visit the police and get passports checked.
All boats cruising Italy must have a valid third party insurance certificate on board.
If the EU vessel has arrived from a non-EU country, a "Q" flag should be flown as soon as the vessel is within the 12 mile territorial limit and Customs
(Guardia di Finanza) should be contacted.
Non-EU Boats:
The procedure is to first report to the
Guardia Costiera and the national police
(Carabinieri), to complete all paperwork and get passports checked.
The captain may be asked to show a certificate of competence; other documents needed are the registration certificate and third-party liability insurance. See
Documents section for more details.
All yachts that have not paid VAT in the EU must apply with the harbour master at the first port of call for an entry declaration, called a "Constituto" (transit log). This is easier to get in some ports than others. See more details in
Documents.
Non-EU yachts should also report to Customs
(Guardia di Finanza) at the first Italian port. In some ports, they are very strict about paperwork and may want to check your movements in the EU and compliance with temporary import. See the
Noonsite EU page for details.
Domestic Cruising:
Non-EU yachts cruising in Italy that have obtained a Constituto at their first port of arrival in Italy, must get it stamped at every subsequent Italian port. See more details in
Documents.
It is recommended to monitor VHF Channel 16 whilst in Italian waters as occasionally boats may be subjected to spot checks by Customs (
Guardia di Finanza), especially in areas known for smuggling.
It is quite possible you may encounter migrant boats if transiting between Italy and North Africa. The Italian Coast Guard transmit notifications on VHF about boats that they know of, their approximate vicinity and number of people on board. If you sight such a vessel, advice is to get in contact with the closest MRCC centre. Get close to the vessel so you can report status etc., but do not attempt to take anybody on board.
France Departure Procedures for Yachts
International Outward Clearance:
EU Boats:
An EU boat with all EU citizens on board going to another EU country does not need to officially clear out. If there are non-EU citizens on board, assuming the correct arrival procedure into Schengen has been followed, they can visit other ports in Schengen without any further checks.
If leaving the EU, then the skipper should the check local regulations and, if possible, obtain a ‘zarpe’ or other official clearance document, to show that they legally left their previous destination when arriving in a new country. This is normally issued by Customs.
Non-EU Boats:
A non-EU boat leaving Italy for another Schengen country, assuming the correct arrival procedure has been followed, can visit other ports in other Schengen countries without any further checks. However, when leaving Italy they must inform the Port Captain's Office of their departure and surrender the "Constituto" (although as this tracks your time in Italy and under TI it's worth making a copy).
A non-EU boat leaving Italy and leaving Schengen, must complete a departure declaration and report to Customs at an official port of entry/departure so that their movement out of the Schengen Area has been recorded.
Any non-EU crew should report to passport control when leaving the Schengen Area.
Be advised that it might not be easy to obtain a zarpe/departure document or be able to locate the necessary officials.
It has been reported by cruisers heading to Tunisia from Sicily that it is possible to clear out of Italy at Lampedusa (see Italy comments) - an Italian island half way between Sicily and Tunisia. We don't have this port of entry on Noonsite currently and have not verified this feedback.
Last updated: March 2025
