Transit visa for Rome Fiumicino (FCO): do you need one?
Italy is in the Schengen area. Travellers who stay in the international transit zone at Fiumicino and fly on outside Schengen need no visa, except nationals of the countries on Italy’s airport transit visa list.
Quick answer
You need an airport transit visa (VTA) at Fiumicino only if you hold a passport from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Syria, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and none of the exemptions applies. Everyone else can connect airside without a visa when the next flight leaves the Schengen area.
The rules at Rome Fiumicino
What an airport transit visa allows
The airport transit visa (VTA, type A) is valid only for transit in the international transit zones of one or more airports of the Schengen states. [1]
Nationalities that need one
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Syria, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. [1]
Exemptions
Holders of a valid Schengen (type C) visa, a national long-stay (type D) visa or a residence permit issued by a Schengen state; holders of certain permits issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino or the USA; holders of valid visas for certain EU or third countries when travelling to or returning from that country; family members of EU citizens; diplomatic passport holders; and aircraft crew. [1]
Connecting to another Schengen country or leaving the airport
An airport transit visa only covers the international transit area. If your connecting flight goes to another Schengen country, or you need to pass passport control (for example to change terminals through border control or to collect bags), you need a Schengen visa or visa-free entry instead. [1]
Do I need a transit visa at Rome Fiumicino? Answers by passport
Indian passport
No, for an airside connection to a non-Schengen destination: India is not on Italy’s airport transit visa list. A connection to another Schengen country needs a Schengen visa. [1]
Nigerian, Ghanaian or Senegalese passport
Yes. All three are on Italy’s airport transit visa list; you need a VTA unless an exemption applies (for example a valid Schengen visa or a qualifying US, Canadian or Japanese permit). [1]
Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan passport
Yes. All three are on Italy’s airport transit visa list; you need a VTA unless an exemption applies. [1]
Filipino, South African or Chinese passport
No, if you stay in the international transit zone and fly on outside Schengen. None of these is on Italy’s airport transit visa list. [1]
Sources
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Countries whose nationals need an airport transit visa; checked 1 Oct 2026.
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Countries exempt from short-stay visas; checked 1 Oct 2026.
Transit rules change. Check with your airline and the official source before you fly.
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