Traveler Toolkit
Italy Country Security Report
Italy Country Security Report
Published: August 17, 2026
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Italy Travel Advisory and Italy Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
Via Veneto 119/A, 00187 Rome
Tel: +39-06-4674-1; After-hours Emergencies: +39-06-4674-2112
Hours: 0830 – 1730, Monday-Friday.
Piazza della Repubblica,80122 Naples
Tel: +39-081-5838-111; After-hours Emergencies: +39-081-583-8208
Hours: 0800 – 1700, Monday-Friday.
Via Principe Amedeo, 2/10, 20121 Milan
Tel: +39-02-2903-51; After-hours Emergencies: +39-02-2903-5255
Hours: 0830 – 1730, Monday-Friday.
Lungarno Vespucci 38, 50123, Florence
Tel: +39-06-4674-1; After-hours Emergencies: +39-06-4674-2112
Hours: 0830 – 1730; Monday-Friday.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The Italy Country Chapter is active and based out of Milan
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Italy Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution due to terrorism.
Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Milan, Naples, Florence and Rome as MEDIUM-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Italy.
The crime emergency line in Italy is 112. Review the U.S. Department of State’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure.
Crime: General Threat
Italy has a moderate rate of crime, especially for theft and economic crimes. In 2025, thefts and property crime made up 44% of all crime in Italy; of these property crimes, the majority are daylight robberies, including pickpocketing, bag snatching, and street scams. Both burglaries and thefts increased (4.9% and 2.3% respectively) in 2025 from 2024. Violent crimes are rare. In 2025, 286 homicides were reported, a rate of 0.54 per 100,000 and a 15% decrease from 2024. The Italian authorities have a 91% clearance rate on violent crime and a 65% clearance rate on property crimes.
Criminals often target foreigners for opportunistic petty theft such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and thefts from parked vehicles. Passport and electronics thefts are of particular concern.
Be alert to criminal schemes. Organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate at major tourist destinations, particularly train stations, bars, and cafes. Some travelers have reported incidents in which criminals used drugs to assault or rob them. Resisting these thieves can be dangerous.
Criminals commonly employ diversion techniques. One common example involves criminals who ask unsuspecting victims for directions. While the victim is offering assistance, an accomplice will covertly take an unattended piece of luggage or bag. Thieves will offer assistance when checking into hotels with bags or strollers, picking up one of the bags and disappearing into the crowd. Large crowds and chaotic atmospheres provide an ideal environment for criminals.
Do not leave bags unattended. Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites, at airports, car rental agencies, on public buses, metros and trains, and at the major railway stations. Be particularly careful with belongings on trains to and from airports and cruise ship ports in Italy (especially Fiumicino airport), as well as on the Circumvesuviana train between Naples and Sorrento, and when unloading your baggage from trains and coaches.
More U.S. students study abroad in Italy than in any other country. Students are often targets of theft or sexual assault. Victims of sexual assault should seek medical attention at the nearest public hospital as soon as possible. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are also encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance at +(39) 06-4674-1. Report crimes to the local police by dialing 112. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.
Thieves sometimes impersonate police officers. If stopped by a plainclothes policeman, ask for a uniformed officer or insist on seeing an officer’s identification card (documento). Do not hand over your wallet and immediately report the incident to the actual police at a police station or by dialing 112 from a local phone.
Hotels and home shares are widely available and relatively safe, but thefts occur occasionally. Always keep belongings in a safe place. Home burglaries have occurred and privately-owned vehicles continue to be a particularly attractive target throughout Italy. Perpetrators also target rental cars driven by unsuspecting tourists. Do not leave belongings alone in a car, including a closed trunk. Keep car doors locked, and windows rolled up at all times to avoid car-jackings and thefts while waiting in traffic.
There is also an increase in the appearance of ATM skimming devices in Rome. To protect against and identify skimming devices, use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or secured inside a bank/business. Cover the keypad with one hand when entering the PIN. Look for gaps, tampered appearance, or other irregularities between the metal faceplate of the ATM and the card reader. Avoid card readers that are not flush with the face of the ATM. Closely monitor account statements for unauthorized transactions. Fraudulent currency—particularly the €20 denominations – are in circulation; check all cash for authenticity.
Take extra care and attention when visiting tourist areas. Exercise heightened security awareness while visiting public parks, especially after dark. While parks are attractive locations for exercise, it is a good idea to travel with another person or with a group in twilight or evening hours. Do not venture down isolated or dark alleyways.
Crime: Areas of Concern
26.5% of all national crimes in Italy occur in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Naples.
Rome: In Rome, areas identified as being at higher risk for criminal activity include the area near the Termini Train Station, the neighborhoods of Tor Bella Monaca, Romanina, San Basilio, and Corviale. Pickpockets and bag snatchers are more common near the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Termini Train Station. These are well-known tourist locations and transportation hubs. Car thieves prefer the areas outside of the Centro Storico, like Giovanni and the Appia areas, where there is less police presence.
Florence: In Florence, areas of greater risk include the areas around the Santa Maria Novella train station, the car rental hub close to Vespucci Airport (FLR), area around Santa Croce, the Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio. Due to the large population of U.S. students in Florence and Bologna, busy dance clubs and bars can be common sites for crimes against U.S. nationals.
Milan: Although the following areas within Milan are well-patrolled by police and the Italian military, the potential for crime is higher at/near Duomo Cathedral, Milano Railway Stations (Centrale, Garibaldi, Rogoredo, Cadorna), San Siro Football Stadium, Airports (Linate and Malpensa), the Navigli Area, large shopping areas (such as Via Torino or Corso Buenos Aires), and public transportation hubs (trams, trains, and buses).
Naples: Piazza del Gesu, a large plaza in south Naples, has been reported as an area where physical altercations are most prevalent during late evening/early morning hours. The piazza has many bars, which all close at the same time and spill patrons into the square. The combination of alcohol, bravado, and inter-gang rivalries make fights frequent in this area. Centro Storico, to include the Spanish Quarter (Quartieri Spagnoli), has seen violent episodes involving stabbings and shootings. Tourists are not targets. However, gun violence may take the form of scooter-mounted drive-by shootings, where bullets may strike people beyond their intended targets. In general, stick to main avenues and piazzas, and enjoy the historic center during daylight hours.
Review OSAC’s reports, All That You Should Leave Behind, Hotels: The Inns and Outs, Considerations for Hotel Security, Taking Credit, and Our Two Cents: Petty Crime Basics and How to Minimize the Risk.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Italy.
Review OSAC’s reports, Kidnapping: The Basics and Active Shooter and Kidnapping Response Tips.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Florence, Milan, Naples, and Rome as LOW-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Italy, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
Credible information indicates that terrorist groups continue to plot potential attacks in Europe. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Maintain heightened situational awareness and incorporate good personal security practices into your daily activity, including vigilance while in public places. Italy’s open borders with its Western European neighbors allow the possibility for terrorists to enter and exit the country anonymously. Italy’s concerns for terrorism are exacerbated by its proximity to North Africa and the Middle East.
Events occurring elsewhere in the world have also been used by Islamist extremists to try to galvanize individuals across Europe, including in Italy. Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and Israel’s subsequent response, there have been increased calls by terrorist organizations like ISIS, al-Qa’ida, and HAYI for individuals to attack targets in Europe. The March 2024 terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in Russia was also used by jihadists to call for additional attacks on targets in Europe. Following the terrorist attack in Russia, Italy raised its security alert level.
Lone-actor perpetrators pose a serious risk due to their ability to remain undetected, at times, until operational and their willingness to attack civilian and soft targets, such as restaurants, markets/shopping malls, hotels, clubs, and similar locations. There also remains a potential for terrorist attacks against public transportation systems and other tourism infrastructure.
While Italy has not experienced the rate of terrorist attacks as some of its neighboring European countries, the threat of lone actors and self-radicalized cells remain. Italy, to include Vatican City inside Rome, remains a potential target of terrorist attacks. Much of the terrorism threat comes from radicalized lone-actor perpetrators, who could attack using knives, vehicle ramming, guns, incendiary devices, and other methods that do not require specialized knowledge, access, or training. Preventing such offenses is a special challenge, since these attacks are committed on short notice, involving only a short planning phase and little organizational effort, and often without relying on any network or communication structures.
Italy also faces several indigenous terrorist groups and radical elements, primarily consisting of extremist and or anarchist movements. According to Europol, Italy records the highest number of left-wing and anarchist terror incidents in the EU. While the majority of these are low-impact property crimes (arson, letter bombs, night-time Molotov cocktail attacks,) these incidents sometimes target foreign interests, including U.S. organizations. Government institutions and diplomatic facilities have received bomb threats and actual explosive devices, and private-sector buildings/offices have been the target of firebombs or Molotov cocktails; such incidents are rare and instigated by organized crime or anarchist movements. Italian authorities continue to investigate extremist groups, deport or arrest individuals considered dangerous, and conduct raids on suspected groups throughout the country. Since 2024, there have been multiple instances of “Molotov cocktail-type” incendiary attacks on the U.S. Consulate General Florence. In February 2026, during the opening days of the Winter Olympic Games, multiple explosive devices were detonated on rail lines across Italy; damage and impacts were limited, and these incidents were attributed to left-wing groups.
Italian law enforcement is capable at detecting and deterring terrorist activity, links, and associations within its borders. Law enforcement agencies and intelligence services coordinate their efforts and meet on a regular basis to review threats and share information. The Italian government has legislation that facilitates the detention of terrorism suspects and expedites procedures for expelling noncitizens suspected of endangering national security.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Florence, Milan, Naples, and Rome as LOW-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Italy. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The Italian Republic is a multiparty parliamentary democracy with a bicameral parliament consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. The constitution vests executive authority in the Council of Ministers, headed by a prime minister whose official title is president of the Council of Ministers. The president of the republic is the head of state and nominates the prime minister after consulting with political party leaders in parliament. Elections have been identified as free and fair by EU observers.
Italy’s next national-level elections are expected to take place in 2027.
Protests & Demonstrations
Politically motivated violence in Italy mostly involves Italian internal developments or social issues. Italian authorities and foreign diplomatic facilities have found bombs outside public buildings, have received bomb threats, and have been targets of letter bombs, firebombs, and Molotov cocktails in the past several years. These attacks generally occur at night and have not targeted or injured U.S. citizens.
Demonstrations occur regularly in Rome. However, most are small and well controlled by security forces. There are several common locations for demonstrations: the Economic Development Ministry on Via Molise; the Labor Ministry on Via Veneto; the Economy and Finance Ministry on Via XX Settembre; and Piazza del Popolo, Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza San Giovanni, and Circo Massimo (Circus Maximus). In Milan, Piazza La Scala and the Piazza del Duomo are common locations for demonstrations.
Protests in Naples have occurred in the vicinity of the U.S. Consulate General, Via Carraciolo, Via Gambattista Pergolesi, and in the area between Piazza Vittoria and Rotunda Diaz.
There can be demonstrations that are anti-American in nature, especially in areas hosting U.S. military bases or diplomatic missions. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on significant holidays, and during international events.
In 2026, Italy saw a significant number of pro-Palestine and anti-war gatherings. These demonstrations often bring large numbers of people, causing significant transit delays. While most of these protests remained peaceful, there were instances of violence against security forces and counter-protestors. Strikes and other work stoppages frequently occur in the transportation sector (national airlines, airports, trains, and bus lines).; in December 2025, CGIL (Italy’s largest trade union) marched with tens of thousands of workers through Florence to protest the 2026 budget. Strikes also cause significant delays and can result in closures; reconfirm any domestic and/or international flight reservations if you are traveling during one of these events
Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly become violent. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.
Review OSAC’s report, Surviving a Protest.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
In general, anti-U.S. sentiment is extremely low and does not affect the private sector.
Law Enforcement
The National Police and Carabinieri (gendarmerie or military police) maintain internal security. The National Police reports to the Ministry of Interior. The Carabinieri reports to the Ministry of Defense but is also under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior. The Carabinieri is primarily a domestic police force organized along military lines, with some overseas responsibilities. The army is responsible for external security but also has specific domestic security responsibilities such as guarding public buildings. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.
Police Response
The police and Carabinieri are well trained and equipped. Italy has a higher level of police presence than most countries. In 2008, Operation Secure Streets began adding military patrols throughout major cities to supplement civilian police patrols and to deter crime and terrorist attacks. Today, it is common to see police and military patrolling cities, especially at popular landmarks.
The line for emergencies and carabinieri in Italy is 112. The police line is 113, and the fire emergency line is 115.
Transportation Security
Road Safety
Driving in Italy can be stressful. Drivers often do not follow traffic laws. Traffic enforcement includes extensive use of cameras, but enforcement by local traffic officials is limited and inconsistent. Scooters and motorcycles do not often follow the rules of the road, using sidewalks and medians to get around vehicles at traffic lights and in moving traffic. Drive defensively and prepare to brake quickly and avoid scooters and other cars that can cut quickly across lanes or turn across traffic. Pedestrians frequently cross the street outside of crosswalks. Drivers frequently pass on highways at very high speeds. Rural roads are generally narrow, often have no guardrails, and inconsistent speed limits. Seat belt use is compulsory. You must use headlights year-round, and at all times, outside of urban areas. During the autumn/winter months, you must have either winter tires or carry snow chains if driving in mountain areas. Be careful when crossing streets, even when using a marked crosswalk with a green walk light illuminated.
Police traffic control checkpoints are common; police can pull you over without probable cause. If this happens, do not be alarmed or assume you have done something wrong, simply cooperate and present them with your driver’s license. Local police can confiscate your car if you cannot pay the fine. Police impose fines for those driving without the proper permits in historic downtown areas of cities and towns throughout Italy. Cameras photograph the license plates of cars illegally driving in parts of the city that require a permit. Authorities forward the fines imposed for these violations to the driver’s home in the United States to request payment. For definitive legal guidance or to contest a fine, consult a lawyer licensed to practice in Italy.
The centers of nearly all cities and towns of historic interest lie within a “Limited Traffic Zone” (ZTL). Drivers entering these areas without proper permission will automatically receive fines. Notices of fines do not always arrive in a timely manner and increase in amount if not paid expediently. In some cases, you can purchase a ZTL pass online, but each ZTL has its own access policies. Discuss routes with locals or car rental representatives to find out more information on local conditions.
Individuals involved in a traffic accident should take the following suggested actions:
Car Accident with Injuries
- Call 112 to inform the dispatcher of your location, details regarding injuries, and the accident. Wait for emergency services to arrive. They will provide care and transport of the injured, reestablish traffic flow, and complete an accident report form. Note the name and destination of any injured persons to be transported by ambulance from the scene. A police report will be helpful in this regard. Do not sign any documents that you do not clearly understand or that do not conform to your grasp of the factors surrounding the accident.
Car Accident without Injuries and No Agreement on the Facts Relating to the Accident
- Call 112. If vehicles are blocking traffic, Italian law requires you move the vehicles if possible. Before moving your vehicle, document the position of the vehicle by any means possible. Extensive photographs can help, but do not consider this the sole source of evidence. Search for skid marks, broken glass, debris, or any other evidence that may help in determining the facts of the accident. Take photographs of all damage to both vehicles and pay particular attention to any pre-existing damage. Try to establish a third-party witness; even if this person is another motorist who cannot wait for the police to arrive, obtain names and phone numbers of actual witnesses who the police can contact. Witness fabrication is not uncommon. There have been reported cases of family members who were not actually present acting as witnesses to accident scenes. In incidents without injury, the police will not issue a police report. The expectation is that the parties will exchange insurance information and the insurance agencies will assign fault.
Car Accident without Injuries and Agreement on the Facts Relating to the Accident
- Consider the above paragraph first. Wait for the police to arrive and document the incident. Complete the Constatazione Amichevole di Incidente Automobilistico (CAIA, Agreed Statement of Facts on Motor Vehicle Accident) form. Give a copy to each party. Do not sign the completed form if there is disagreement regarding the version/sequence of events represented. Contact your insurance company; obtain guidance on how to send them the CAIA and inquire about further steps regarding damages/related expenses.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road Safety Abroad, Driving Overseas: Best Practices, and Evasive Driving Techniques; and read the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Safety
The public transportation system (with trains, metro, trams, and buses) is modern, extensive, and an accepted means of travel. Authorized taxis are white and metered. Only use licensed taxis or a reputable transportation service. Anyone inexperienced in driving in Italy (especially in cities) should use public transportation or taxis.
Use extra caution while in/around train stations and transit points, and aboard public transport. There are numerous reports of pickpocketing and purse slashing on public transportation. During rush hour, buses and trains tend to be very crowded, and many victims do not realize they have been targets of robbery. Victims have reported their handbags cut open and their valuables removed, while men have lost items from inner jacket pockets. Rome’s ATAC Bus Route No. 64 from Termini to St. Peter’s Basilica is a problematic route for skilled theft. Travelers should be alert for transit strikes, which occur often, generally on Fridays.
Numerous tour organizations arrange travel throughout the country, with varying degrees of service. None are off-limits.
Aviation Concerns
Several major U.S. airlines service most of Italy's major cities. Airline and airport safety is on par with other Western European countries. Airline safety meets U.S. aviation security screening and logistic standards. Contract security and various local and national police agencies are responsible for security at airports. Modern equipment helps with passenger, document, and cargo screening. General labor strikes occur throughout Italy, occasionally affecting airport operations. Travelers should be prepared for the new EU entrance system, which requires the biometric scanning of all non-EU citizens for entry.
Review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Maritime Security
Although its land measures only 750 miles north to south, Italy has more than 4,500 miles of coastline bordering the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian, Ligurian, and Tyrrhenian Seas. Italy is a leader in fighting maritime piracy abroad; piracy does not happen with any regularity in Italian waters.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Italy, review the local laws and circumstances on the U.S. Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Italy.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implements the law effectively.
Corruption and organized crime continue to be significant impediments to investment and economic growth in parts of Italy, despite efforts by successive governments to reduce risks. Micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, which account for 99% of Italy’s companies, are at a higher risk for corruption, according to an October 2022 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In 2026, the OECD highlighted a significant decline in prosecutions for bribery and other corrupt corporate practices. The report identifies Italy’s risk sectors as energy, transportation, aerospace, large engineering enterprises, and distribution networks.
The Embassy has received requests for assistance from companies facing a lack of transparency and complicated bureaucracy, particularly in the sphere of government procurement.
Attacks against journalists who investigate organized crime and corruption occasionally occur and are investigated by authorities. Reporters Without Borders have said that journalists who investigate organized crime and corruption are at times threatened, subject to physical violence, and death threats.
Health Concerns
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Health “H” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Italy. Review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) country-specific Travel Health Notices for current health issues that impact traveler health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters.
The emergency line for ambulances is 118. Adequate health facilities and ambulance services are widely available, but training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards, and facilities may be limited outside urban areas. Medical staff may speak little or no English. Generally, only minimal staff is available overnight in public hospital non-emergency wards.
Public hospitals, though generally free of charge for emergency services, may not maintain the same standards as hospitals in the United States. Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient. Obtain complete information on billing, pricing, and proposed medical procedures before agreeing to any medical care. In most cases, patients bear costs for transfer to or between hospitals.
In parts of Italy, the lack of adequate trash disposal and incineration sites has led to periodic accumulations of garbage in urban and rural areas. In some cases, residents have burned garbage, resulting in toxic emissions that can aggravate respiratory problems.
Find contact information for available medical services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on health insurance overseas.
See OSAC’s Guide to U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuations; review OSAC’s reports, The Healthy Way, Shaken: The Don’ts of Alcohol Abroad, Health 101: How to Prepare for Travel, and Fire Safety Abroad; and visit the U.S. Department of State’s webpage on Your Health Abroad for more information.
Issues Traveling with Medications
The Italian Health Ministry sets rules defining importation of prescriptions and medications into Italy. However, the Health Ministry website does not have information in English. According to the Health Ministry, foreigners entering Italy may bring personal medications for a period of 30 days but should also bring a copy of their prescription with them. Travelers should not bring excess supplies of prescription drugs into the country and cannot bring prescription drugs for other people.
Italian Customs laws strictly regulate the importation of medications into Italy by courier services or by mail. Italian customs clears all incoming shipments of medications -- even small amounts for personal use -- and will allow them to clear customs only upon presentation from the receiving party of a statement signed by a physician licensed in Italy, certifying that the medication is essential for the patient; that he/she would be put in a life-threatening situation without it; and that there is no substitute or equivalent medication available on the Italian market. Delays in the release of medications by Italian Customs received by mail or by courier services are common.
Review OSAC’s report, Traveling with Medication.
Water Quality
Tap water in Italy is potable.
Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Natural Disaster “N” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Italy.
In 2025 and 2026, Italy recorded 15,000 earthquakes. Two earthquakes above 6.0 were recorded, one near Naples, the others off the coast of Calabria, although very little damage was recorded, schools, metro stations, and trains closed in order to check for possible damage.
On the evening of 31 July, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei caldera near Pozzuoli, the strongest recorded in the area in over 40 years. It triggered a swarm of roughly 190 shocks, including several in the magnitude 3–3.8 range. The quake was shallow and produced unusually strong local ground shaking, it caused real damage despite a moderate magnitude: collapsed rock faces, cracked and uninhabitable buildings, brief suspensions of trains and the Pozzuoli port, roughly 300–350 people evacuated and about two dozen injured, none critically. The government has released an initial €100 million for the emergency.
Many buildings/infrastructure are old and suffer from poor maintenance. A mild but longer-lasting earthquake could result in significant damage and has the potential to cause injury and death. There have been strong earthquakes in the past 30 years that resulted in serious property damage. The potential for a tsunami following an earthquake is also a possibility; include this as part of coastal emergency crisis planning. The center of Naples is connected to the rest of the region by tunnels and skyways, which if damaged, could block emergency exit from the city, leaving only the bay as a viable escape route – assuming a tsunami has not disrupted port facilities.
The “Io non rischio” campaign by Italy’s Department of Civil Protection has information on how to avoid risks including floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis, and has information in English. The interactive maps for each category may be especially useful for determining levels of risk for personnel working or living in Italy.
Floods occasionally occur during the winter when heavy rains and melting snow cause local rivers to swell beyond the flood plain. Coastal and mountain roads can become precarious, especially during periods of rain and/or snow. In 2025, Milan’s Seveso River breached its banks, resulting in flash floods. In 2026, Parma, Calabria, Sicily, and Sardinia suffered significant flooding and landslides.
Italy also has several active volcanoes. Most recently, Stromboli volcano (a small island near Sicily) and Mount Etna (in Sicily) erupted in 2025 and 2026; seismic activity and lava flow in this area continue. Travelers to Sicily should be aware of the possibility for travel disruptions, including airport closures, in the event of volcanic activity, and should check the website of the National Geology and Vulcanology Institute (INGV) for detailed information and daily updates. Italy has many other areas of potential volcanic activity, especially in the vicinity of Naples. Any visit to an active volcano or volcanic field bears a certain amount of risk. While small-scale eruptions have often occurred in recent years, resulting in limited damage and impact to surrounding areas, volcanic activity is unpredictable and sudden. Exercise caution, follow posted instructions, stay on authorized trails, and use reputable tour operators.
Review OSAC’s report, Earthquake Preparedness Toolkit.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime is a growing concern for Italian authorities and should be a priority for anyone conducting business in Italy. Italy has seen a continued spike in cyberattacks, with a 48% increase from 2024 to 2025 and a 92% increase in the first half of 2026. 28% of incidents target government or law enforcement, meaning almost 80% of attacks are leveraged against private sector organizations. According to the Italian Information Security Association, Italy absorbs almost 10% of all serious cybercrime across the world, representing one of the world’s most prime targets.
With the growth in remote work, attacks on PCs doubled, as cyber criminals shifted their focus to the weakest link in the chain: the endpoint and the employee’s PC. Ransomware threats have the greatest impact, increasingly targeting the manufacturing sector, the public administration, and healthcare facilities. The Russia-Ukraine war and the ensuing financial and energy crisis also generated an unprecedented surge in cyberattacks, particularly DDoS attacks, which increased exponentially in 2025. Many attacks are traceable to Chinese and Russian hacking groups that operate transnationally.
Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Italy. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include Romance/Online dating; Money transfers; Lucrative sales; Contracts with promises of large commissions; Grandparent/Relative targeting; Free Trip/Luggage; Lotteries; Inheritance notices; and Work permits/job offers. Use common sense, avoid deals that are “too good to be true,” and never give money to someone you do not know.
Protect sensitive computer-based programs and operations. It is not uncommon for private corporations or government agencies to fall victim to hackers or other cyber-related attacks regardless of their location worldwide.
Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity Basics, Best Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, Traveling Abroad with Mobile Devices, and Guide for Overseas Satellite Phone Usage.
Counterintelligence Issues
All nations that are historical political adversaries of the United States have representation in Italy, with embassies in Rome, and consulates in some other cities.
Import/Export Restrictions
The Italian Ministry of Health sets rules defining who and how prescriptions and medications can be imported into Italy. However, the Ministry of Health website does not have information in English. According to the Ministry of Health, foreigners entering Italy are allowed to bring personal medications for a period of 30 days, but it is recommended that travelers also bring a copy of their prescription with them. Travelers should not bring excess supplies of prescription drugs into the country and cannot bring prescription drugs for other people.
The import of medications into Italy by courier services or by mail is strictly regulated by Italian Customs laws. Italian customs clear all incoming shipments of medications, even small amounts for personal use. Delays in the release of medications by Italian Customs received by mail or by courier services are common. The receiving party must be able to provide a statement signed by a physician licensed in Italy, certifying:
- The medication is essential for the patient, that he/she would be put in a life-threatening situation without it.
- There is no substitute or equivalent medication available on the Italian market.
There are no restrictions on satellite phones in Italy.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.