| Topic | Where things stand (October 2026) | Fine or cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Documents | ID card or passport (EU); passport (other countries) | boarding may be refused | check your own country's official site |
| EES | in operation since 10 April 2026 for non-Europeans | – | registration at the border |
| ETIAS | not yet required, launch unconfirmed | – | check the official EU site |
| Tourist tax | paid at your accommodation | €4 to €10 per person per night | see below |
| Fountains | bathing and sitting banned | €160 to €450 | rules in the centre |
| Alcohol in the street | glass banned from 10 pm, alcohol from 11 pm | €160 to €400 | alcohol in the street |
| Smoking | banned in enclosed places | €27.50 to €275 | smoking in Rome |
| Drugs | cannabis and other drugs banned | heavy penalties | cannabis and drugs |
| ZTL | cameras at the edge of the centre | about €80 to €335 | car and ZTL |
| Trevi Fountain | paid basin access since 2 February 2026 | €2 | Trevi Fountain |
Fines and prices come from the site's detailed pages (linked in the table) and were checked in October 2026.
Documents
European Union citizens can enter Italy with a valid ID card or passport. Travellers from other countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and others) do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days in 180, with a valid passport. The validity rule (generally three months after your departure date from the Schengen area) should be checked on your foreign ministry's site. For a visa or a special case, consult the official EU portal.
EES and ETIAS: where things stand
The EES, the European Entry/Exit System, digitally records the entries and exits of non-European travellers (fingerprints and photo); it has operated across the Schengen area since 10 April 2026. ETIAS, the online travel authorisation that will apply to visa-exempt travellers, was not yet required in October 2026; its launch date was not confirmed to our editors. Before you leave, check the official site travel-europe.europa.eu, and beware of lookalike sites that charge for an "ETIAS application": no payment is required today.
What if you fall ill during your stay? Outside the European Union, an emergency-room visit or a night in hospital in Rome is charged at full price. A health and repatriation insurance (SafetyWing, bought online, for the length of your trip) covers medical care and the trip home. See our travel insurance guide.
The tourist tax
Rome charges a tourist tax per person per night, paid at your accommodation, usually in cash or by card, on top of the room price: €4 to €10 depending on the hotel category, for the first ten nights, with exemptions (children under 10, among others). Rates can change: confirm the amount with your host. To choose an area, see where to stay in Rome for a first visit.
What is banned, in short
- Fountains and monuments: no bathing, no sitting on the rim, no eating on the steps. At Trevi, access to the edge of the basin now costs €2 for non-residents.
- Alcohol and glass: drinking is tolerated by day, but no glass after 10 pm and no alcohol after 11 pm in public space.
- Smoking: banned in enclosed places and on transport; terraces are tolerated.
- Drugs: do not count on any tolerance; see the dedicated page.
- Car: the centre is a limited-traffic zone monitored by cameras.
To avoid pitfalls, also read scams to avoid in Rome, tourist mistakes and safety at night.
To book before you leave
- Airport transfer: a driver or shared shuttle saves queuing for a taxi on arrival; see the transfer comparison (book a transfer).
- An eSIM: handy to have internet as soon as you land; see SIM and eSIM in Rome.
- Tickets for in-demand sites: the Colosseum and the Vatican museums should be booked in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to go to Rome? Not for EU citizens, nor, for a stay under 90 days, for travellers from many countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Check your nationality on the official EU site.
Is ETIAS mandatory? Not yet, according to October 2026 information; the start date was not confirmed. Check the official EU site before you leave.
Can you drink in the street in Rome? By day yes, but glass is banned from 10 pm and all alcohol from 11 pm, with a fine of €160 to €400.
Is the Trevi Fountain paid? Since 2 February 2026, access to the edge of the basin costs €2 for non-residents. The square stays free: you can see the fountain without paying.
How much is the tourist tax? €4 to €10 per person per night depending on the accommodation category, for the first ten nights; confirm with your host.
The Rome Authority editorial team, 19 October 2026.
