Masks In Italian Airports: What's The Mandate?

Italy has had some of the strictest mask mandates in the world since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of October 2022, masks are no longer mandatory in Italy except in healthcare settings. However, it is recommended that individuals continue to wear masks in crowded spaces, and some sources state that masks are still required on planes and in airports.

Are masks required on planes and in airports in Italy?

As of May 2022, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommended that member countries, including Italy, drop face mask rules for flights and airports within the EU. However, Italy is one of several countries that has opted to keep the masking rules for passengers.

Masks on planes

As of May 2022, masks are required on planes in Italy until at least 15 June 2022. Airlines may also enforce their own rules. For example, in April 2022, masks were required on United and Delta flights to Italy.

Masks in airports

As of May 2022, masks are required in Italian airports until at least 15 June 2022.

Types of masks

An FFP2/N95/KN95 mask is generally required.

Other countries with mask mandates

Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain also have mask mandates for flights and airports.

What type of masks are required in Italy?

As of June 2022, masks are no longer mandatory on public transport in Italy. However, their use in indoor environments and crowded outdoor events is highly recommended. If you do decide to wear a mask, it is recommended to use a surgical or FFP2 mask.

In May 2022, the European Union recommended that member countries drop face mask rules for flights and airports within the EU. However, Italy was one of the countries that opted to keep the masking rules for passengers. As of May 2022, masks are required on planes and airports in Italy, and an FFP2/N95/KN95 mask is generally needed.

Some travellers have reported that N95, KN95, or FFP2 masks are required or preferred on flights to Italy. One traveller reported that a surgical mask was not accepted on their flight, while another stated that FFP2 masks were handed out to those without the correct mask. It is recommended that you carry a few masks with you when travelling to Italy, as requirements may vary.

Are masks required in all indoor spaces in Italy?

Italy has had some of the strictest mask mandates in the world, with masks being required in all indoor spaces, including airports and on planes, since the start of the pandemic. However, as of May 2022, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommended that masks no longer need to be mandatory in air travel. Despite this, Italy kept its mask mandate in place until at least June 15, 2022.

As of October 2022, wearing masks in Italy is no longer mandatory except in healthcare settings. However, some people still choose to wear masks in grocery stores, trains, or other public areas. On the train back to Rome airport, staff can be seen sanitising handrails in all the train cars.

In January 2023, an update from a traveller to Como, Italy, stated that it was not mandatory to wear a mask, but many people chose to wear one on the local bus or in the main shopping area. There were no checks during their visit, but local stores still had plastic protection areas at the cashier tills and hand sanitiser available at entrances.

In June 2023, an update from a visitor to Turin, Italy, stated that no one wears masks and businesses are open as usual, including bars, restaurants, clubs, museums, and open-air markets.

As of January 2024, Italy's tourism industry is flourishing, and there are no laws or recommendations for masking, social distancing, or limiting public gatherings. The Italian public healthcare system has removed its state of emergency, and it is easy to access the emergency room. Private healthcare facilities can choose to test patients if they want to.

Are masks required on public transport in Italy?

As of January 2025, Italy has dropped its mask mandate on public transport. However, it is important to note that this information might be outdated by now.

Before the mandate was dropped, masks were required on buses, trains, subways, trams and ferries, but not on planes. The FFP2 type of mask was mandatory on public transport until the end of September 2022.

In June 2022, the EU recommended that member countries drop face mask rules for flights and airports within the EU. However, Italy was one of the countries that initially decided to keep the masking rules for passengers. The country's health minister, Carolina Darias, stated that passengers should continue wearing face masks on board flights to and from Italy. This mandate was in place until 15 June 2022.

Therefore, it is always recommended to check the latest official information and guidelines provided by the Italian health ministry and local authorities before travelling to Italy. They will have the most up-to-date information regarding any mask requirements on public transport.

What are the fines for not wearing a mask in Italy?

Masks are required in Italian airports and on planes. This is true even if your airline and destination have dropped the mandate. Italy has specific rules regarding masks that you should be aware of.

Italy imposes heavy fines for not wearing masks. People caught not wearing masks in public can expect to receive fines from €400 to €1,000. Repeat offenders on planes can expect fines ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Businesses that fail to comply with the rules can be fined €1,000 and may be closed for five to 30 days.

The order to wear masks outdoors is already in place in several regions of Italy, including Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Le Marche, Piemonte, and Sicily. The Italian government denied that there would be new restrictions forcing the early closure of bars, pubs, and restaurants. However, the government did extend the nation's state of emergency until 31 January 2021.

The key measure of the text is a fine of €1,000 for anyone who does not wear a mask in an enclosed space, whether in public buildings, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, shops, or on public transport. Transport operators are required to deny access to passengers who do not wear masks. If they are on board and refuse to wear a mask, the police will be called, and the bus or train will be blocked.

Children under the age of six, as well as people with disabilities that prevent them from wearing masks, and those engaged in physical exercise or sport, are exempt from the order to wear masks outdoors.

Frequently asked questions