What are the current rules for school trips travelling to and from Italy?

18 Oct 2021, 15:35 by Sam Taylor

Are school trips to Italy allowed in 2021?

This is our understanding of the current requirements for school groups travelling to and from Italy from October 2021.

The rules to enter Italy, and to return home, are subject to change and may be further relaxed by the time your school trip departs.Indicators are travel will be easier for fully vaccinated adults and children.

Passenger locator form to enter Italy

All travellers, regardless of age, must complete a passenger locator form before entering Italy to get a QR code to show to your travel provider and Border Police. You can show the QR code in paper form if you do not have an electronic device. PCR tests are currently required to enter the country.

We are waiting for confirmation that children who aren't fully vaccinated will be able to travel with fully vaccinated teachers in the same way that they can with fully vaccinated parents. As teachers are legally acting “in loco parentis” (responsible for children in lieu of parents) on school trips, we expect this to be the case, as it has been confirmed for school groups returning to England.

Read more about entry requirements to Italy.

Passenger locator form to return to England

All travellers must complete this passenger locator form in the 48 hours before arriving back from Italy. Through our industry body, the School Travel Forum, we are working with the Department for Transport to simplify the passenger locator form process for school groups.

Our top tip for school groups— Parents can create an online account and complete their child's Passenger Locator form before the trip. The form must be submitted online by the child or parent in the 48 hours before the group returns to the UK. Children will need their login details to access the completed form, so it may be wise for parents to share the login with the teacher as a back-up.

Current rules for school groups returning from Italy

The Department for Transport has confirmed that children returning to England with a fully vaccinated teacher as part of a school trip will benefit from the same rules as the fully vaccinated adult, regardless of their vaccination status.

Currently, all travellers returning from abroad are required to take a PCR test and stay at home while awaiting their test results. Read the current rules for returning to the UK from abroad.

Can I travel to Italy if I'm unvaccinated?

The current rules mean that unvaccinated adults must present a negative PCR or lateral flow test 48 hours prior to arrival in Italy. Unvaccinated adults must also remain in self-isolation for 5 days upon arrival in Italy.

More information from the COVID-19 Travel Hub

• School Travel Insurance with COVID-19 cover
• Voyager School Travel Peace of Mind Promise 
• Guide to Restarting School Trips 
• COVID-19 Travel FAQs