British citizens living in Italy need to understand fresh travel and border-control rules following recent changes to EU systems and post-Brexit arrangements.
The UK government has updated information for British citizens in Italy regarding the EES, Schengen travel and dual citizenship.
If you hold dual citizenship with an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, the UK government advises that you enter and leave Italy and other Schengen countries using your EU or EFTA passport rather than a British one. This ensures smoother access under EU rules and avoids complications at border checks.
For travel to the UK, British citizens must still carry a valid British passport or a certificate of entitlement.
Travelling within the Schengen area
Britons resident in Italy should always carry both their passport and their Italian residence permit or long-stay visa when entering, leaving, or travelling within the Schengen area. If you are asked to show your passport at border control, also present your residence document otherwise your passport could be stamped.
Importantly, time spent in Italy under a valid residence permit does not count towards the Schengen 90-day visa-free rule. This rule normally limits visa-free travellers to 90 days in any 180-day period across Schengen countries.
The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
From October 12, 2025, the EU began rolling out the digital Entry/Exit System (EES) — a biometric border system that requires most non-EU travellers to have their photo and fingerprints taken or verified at Schengen borders. The system stores this data and monitors how long visitors spend in the Schengen area.
Under the EES, British nationals without EU residence status must register their biometric data on arrival at Schengen borders. The system will gradually replace manual passport stamping with digital records. Full implementation across participating countries is expected by April 2026.
However, British nationals legally resident in Italy with a valid residence permit, including a Withdrawal Agreement biometric residence card (‘carta di soggiorno’), do not need to register with the EES. Their existing residence documentation means they are exempt from the biometric registration requirement when entering, leaving or travelling within the Schengen zone.
For those living in Italy before 1 January 2021 under the Withdrawal Agreement but who have not yet obtained a residence card, the UK government strongly recommends applying for one to avoid being incorrectly treated as overstaying under the EES rules.
Bottom line for British citizens in Italy: carry the right documents, use the most appropriate passport for your travel, and be prepared for biometric checks at Schengen borders unless you have valid residence status with the correct documentation.
