ETIAS for Vatican City
EU Visa Waiver for U.S. Citizens Visiting Vatican City
In 2026, the European Union Visa Waiver, ETIAS, is expected to become a mandatory entry requirement to visit Vatican City.
The Electronic Travel Information and Authorization system will pre-screen U.S. travelers before they can enter the Vatican.
U.S. citizens are exempt from getting the Schengen visa for the Vatican. However, the United States is one of the eligible countries in the new ETIAS visa waiver program.
Vatican City ETIAS for U.S. Nationals
The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world, and it is part of the Schengen Area.
Because the Vatican is a de facto Schengen member, non-EU citizens or residents must have an approved ETIAS or a Schengen visa to enter the Vatican.
Nationals with a valid U.S. passport can continue visiting the Vatican without applying for a visa.
However, United States citizens have to apply for the travel authorization to move freely within the Schengen Area, including visiting the Vatican.
Getting ETIAS in the US to visit the Vatican
Getting ETIAS in the US to travel to Vatican City is a straightforward and quick process. All an applicant needs is connection to the Internet.
U.S. travelers can access the ETIAS application form online from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Filling out the electronic form takes a few minutes. After an application has been submitted, the system can take up to 72 hours to approve it. However, it is expected that most applications will be approved in less time.
Details introduced in the ETIAS application are cross-checked against several EU and International security databases. In doing so, the ETIAS system can identify whether a traveler is eligible to enter the region.
Vatican City ETIAS Application
The ETIAS application to visit the Vatican requires U.S. travelers to provide the following details:
- Full name
- Country of citizenship
- Address
- Telephone number
- Employment information
Each applicant must indicate the country of first intended entry.
As mentioned above, ETIAS is a requirement to visit all the Schengen zone, which includes European countries, and 3 de facto member states: Vatican City, San Marino, and Monaco.
If a U.S. citizen wishes to visit the Vatican, they must indicate Italy as country of first intended entry in the application.
The Vatican does not have an international airport and to visit people must arrive in Italy first.
The form has a series of eligibility questions which inquire on an applicant’s recent travels, and criminal record.
NOTE: Parents or guardians may complete an ETIAS form for their children.
Documents required to travel to Vatican City from the U.S.
U.S. citizens who wish to travel to Vatican City must have the following documents:
- Hold a valid U.S. issued passport
- An approved ETIAS visa waiver
The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the expected return date to the United States.
The ETIAS visa waiver is electronically linked to the machine-readable passport.
Airlines and custom border officials will check that U.S. visitors meet the required entry documents to visit the Vatican.
The ETIAS visa waiver for U.S. citizens is only valid for short-term stays that cannot exceed 90 days within a 180 days.
To remain in Vatican City for longer than 90 days, foreign nationals must visit an embassy or apply for a long-term visa.
Travel to Vatican City from the US with ETIAS
To travel to Vatican City from the United States with ETIAS, the most viable option is to first fly into an airport in Italy, such Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
Several airlines offer frequent direct flights from cities like New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago to this airport in Rome. The average flight time from the U.S. East Coast to Rome is around 8 hours 30 minutes.
Once you arrive in Rome, you can take a taxi or use public transportation to reach the Vatican City, which is located within the city limits. The journey time from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City is around 30 minutes by car.
For most travelers, Vatican City can easily be seen in one day. Luckily, you can use your approved ETIAS to visit Italy and other surrounding European countries during your stay.
About Vatican City
Capital: Vatican City
Language: Italian
Area: 0,44 km²
Population: 1.000
Timezone: UTC/GTM 1
Currency: euro (€)
Code: +379
U.S. Embassy in Vatican City
The United States embassy that serves Vatican City is situated within the neighboring city of Rome.
The embassy offers a wide range of services to US citizens, including passport and visa assistance, notary services, and emergency assistance for those in distress.
Additionally, the embassy plays a vital role in maintaining communication between the US and the Holy See on matters of mutual interest, such as religious freedom, human rights, and global peace initiatives.
Address: Via Sallustiana, 49, 00187 Rome, Italy
Medical Information for U.S. Citizens Visiting the Vatican
Recommended vaccines:
- Routine Vaccines
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
Emergencies:
- 112 is the pan-European emergency number and is always free to call
- 15 – Medical emergencies
- 17 – Police
- 18 – Firefighters