Italy has released its official 2026 list of countries whose citizens can enter the country without obtaining a short-stay visa, with just two African nations earning a place on the exemption list.
The visa-free arrangement applies to a wide range of travel purposes, including tourism, business, education, religious activities, participation in sporting events, transit, and official assignments.
Information published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that citizens of only two African countries are permitted to travel to Italy without a visa for visits of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Which African Countries Made Italy’s Visa-Free List
Among Africa’s 54 sovereign nations, only Mauritius and Seychelles are included on Italy’s visa waiver list.
Citizens of all other African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt are excluded from the exemption. As a result, they are required to obtain a Schengen visa through Italian embassies or consulates before travelling to Italy.
Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published a visa exemption list containing more than 60 countries and territories from across the globe. The majority of those granted visa-free access are located in the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Caribbean.
By contrast, African countries account for only a small portion of the countries on the list.
How Italy’s Visa Exemption Rules Work
The visa waiver is valid only for short-term visits and does not permit travellers to work or establish residence in Italy.
Eligible visitors are still required to carry a valid passport throughout their stay, while the maximum 90-day stay is measured over a rolling 180-day period rather than within a fixed calendar timeframe.
The Italian government also specifies that additional requirements apply to citizens of certain countries covered by the exemption.
Citizens of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine qualify for visa-free entry only if they possess biometric passports.
For Taiwan, the exemption is available exclusively to travellers whose passports contain an identity card number. Meanwhile, citizens of San Marino and the Holy See remain exempt from Italy’s visa requirements in all cases, with no extra conditions attached.
For Africans planning to travel to Italy in 2026, the message is straightforward: anyone who does not hold a passport from Mauritius or Seychelles must complete the Schengen visa application process before travelling to Rome, Milan, or any other destination in Italy.
