LATEST UPDATE: As of May 1, 2022 the Green Pass is no longer required to access services and activities it Italy, with the exception of health professionals and hospitals or residential care facilities (RSA) visits. Also, as of June 1, the Green Pass is no longer required to travel to Italy.
The Green Pass Certificate is valid in all EU countries and the Schengen area.
On August 6, 2021 Italy made mandatory the use of the Covid-19 Green Pass to travel, attend events, access facilities and other public places, to help prevent the spread of the virus. On October 15, 2021 the Green Pass was also mandatory for workers, interns and volunteers to access their workplaces. From May 1, the Green Pass will no longer be in use.
You can use this article to learn more on:
- What it is
- How long it is valid for
- How to get it
- Who can help
What is the Green Pass (‘Certificazione verde’ in Italian)?
The Green Pass is the certificate required to access many public and private premises, in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. It is a certification in digital and printable format, and it is issued by the Italian Ministry of Health.
The Green Pass is free-of-charge and it contains a QR Code to verify that it is valid and authentic.
The Italian health authorities issue a Covid-19 Green pass certification in the following cases:
- After the full cycle of vaccination against Covid-19 with one of the vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
- After 14 days from the first shot of the vaccine against Covid-19 with one of the vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In this case, the Green Pass is valid for Italy only
- After the booster dose of vaccination
- Successful recovery from Covid-19 within the past 6 months
- Negative swab test within the past 48 hours (if antigenic test), or 72 hours (if PCR test).
Learn more about:
How long is it valid for?
The validity of the Green Pass depends on why you got it:
- If you got vaccinated with the first dose of the vaccine, it will last until you get the second dose
- If you completed the full vaccination cycle or you got the booster dose, it will last 6 months
- If you recovered from Covid-19, it will last for 6 months
- If you tested negative to a swab test, it lasts only for the following 48 hours (if you got an antigenic test), or 72 hours (if you got a PCR test). To obtain a new one you will need to get a new swab test.
How to get the COVID-19 Green Pass?
After receiving the vaccination, a negative test or recovering from Covid-19, the Green Pass is automatically made available in both digital and printable formats from the Italian Ministry of Health.
When the Green Pass is available, you will receive a message via text message or email, to the contacts you provided when you had your vaccine or swab test or were issued a certificate of recovery. The message will contain an authentication code (AUTHCODE) and a set of brief instructions on how to get your Green Pass from one of the channels listed below.
You can download your Green Pass through one of the following digital channels:
- Visiting the Official Green Pass website using your “tessera sanitaria” or your SPID code.
- Downloading one of these two applications and following the instructions: https://www.immuni.italia.it/ or https://io.italia.it/certificato-verde-green-pass-covid.
- From the Fascicolo Sanitario webpage, by selecting the region where you live: https://www.fascicolosanitario.gov.it/fascicoli-regionali.
If you are unable to download the Green Pass from the digital platforms available, you can contact your general practitioner ("medico di base" in Italian), your pediatrician, or a pharmacy to obtain your Covid-19 green certification.
If you got vaccinated without being registered with the Italian Healthcare System (SSN)
You can obtain the Green Pass even if you got the vaccine without being registered with the Italian Healthcare System. Go to the official Green Pass website and select the “Utente non iscritto al SSN vaccinato in Italia”. Then fill the form with all the necessary information and download your Green Pass certificate!
We know that people with a STP code are having trouble downloading the Green Pass, but the Ministry of Health is trying to find a solution – we will keep you posted!
If you got vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 outside Italy
You can obtain the Green Pass even if you got the vaccine or you recovered from COVID-19 outside Italy. Go to the official Green Pass website and select the “Utente senza tessera sanitaria o vaccinato all’estero option”. Then fill the form with all the necessary information and download your Green Pass certificate!
What is the Green Pass for?
Green Pass is a mandatory certificate to access many public and private premises in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
In Italy
From September 1, 2021 persons over the age of 12 must present a Covid-19 Green Pass to access many public and private services and activities.
Until April 30, 2022 the access to some of those services and activities depends on how you got the Green Pass:
- If you are vaccinated or you recovered from Covid, you have the so-called Super Green Pass (or Green Pass "rafforzato" in Italian), which give you full access to services and activities.
- If you got the Green Pass after a swab test, either antigen or PCR, you have the normal Green Pass (or Green Pass "base" in Italian), which give you the access only to some specific activities.
The Super Green Pass is mandatory to access the following services and activities:
- Cinemas, theaters and indoor concerts
- Stadiums
- Clubs and parties
- Gyms, swimming pools and spas
- Fairs, conventions and congresses
- Gaming halls and betting shops, bingo halls and casinos
This means that you can access them only if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19.
On the contrary, you must have either the Super Green Pass or the normal Green Pass to access the following services and activities:
- Universities
- Indoor restaurants and bars
- Workplaces for public and private sector workers (including domestic workers and caretakers), interns and volunteers
- Interregional trains, flights, ships and private buses
This means that you cannot access these activities and services if you do not have the Green Pass at all.
Note that workers and interns who cannot access their workplaces because they do not have the Green Pass cannot be suspended or fired, but they won't get paid for the days of absence. Moreover, those who go to their workplaces without the Green Pass risk fines of between 600 and 1500 euros, while businesses who fail to carry out Green Pass checks will face fines of between 400 and 1000 euros.
You can find the full list of services and activities for which you need the super or the normal Green Pass here.
Note that if you are positive to Covid-19, you must isolate yourself at home and you cannot access any service or activity, even if you have the Green Pass!
Exemptions
The COVID-19 Green Certification requirement does not apply to the following categories of persons:
- Children under 12 years of age, who cannot yet get the vaccine
- People exempted for health reasons from vaccination on the basis of appropriate medical certification. To understand if this is your case, please speak to your general practitioner or your pediatrician.
In Europe
The Green Pass Certificate is valid in all EU countries and the Schengen area. From July 1, 2021 the Covid-19 green certification can be used to travel to and from all countries of the European Union and the Schengen area.
You CANNOT use the Green Pass outside Italy if you have received only the first dose of the vaccine. You are allowed to travel to and from the European Union and Schengen countries only with the Green Pass that you receive after a full cycle of vaccination, a negative swab test or the recovery from Covid-19.
Keep in mind that each country has its own rules on the use of the Green Pass certificate. Therefore, we suggest checking online or contacting the relevant embassy to learn more.
Non European countries
The Green Pass Certificate is valid only in EU countries and the Schengen area.
If you need to visit another non-EU country, we recommend that you contact the relevant embassy and ask for information.
Who can help?
For help you can send an email to this contact: cittadini@dgc.gov.it or call 800912491. They are available from 8:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.
A National Information Line was activated by the Italian Ministry of Health to answer questions from the public about the novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV. The hotline is open 24/7.
Travelers can contact the Ministry of Health at the following numbers:
- From Italy: 1500 (free toll number)
- From abroad: +39 0232008345 - +39 0283905385
If you have any further question, you can check the FAQ section on the official Green Pass website.