“DUE TO THE STRICT RULES CURRENTLY IN FORCE IN ITALY WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONTACT US IN ORDER TO INSURE THAT YOU COMPLETE CORRECT PROCEDURES.”
GENERAL INFORMATION ITALY – AS CAPTAINS INFO
Area: 301,338 sq. km (116,346 sq. miles).
Population: 59,685,227 (official estimate 2012).
Population density: 199 per sq. km.
Capital: Rome.
Population capital: 2,645,907 (2012).
Language: Italian is the official language.
Dialects are spoken in different regions.
German and Ladin are spoken in the South Tyrol region (bordering Austria).
French is spoken in all the border areas from the Riviera to the area north of Milan (border with France and Switzerland).
German is spoken around the Austrian border.
English, German and French are also spoken in the biggest cities and in tourism and business circles.
Religion: Roman Catholic with Protestant minorities.
Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Currency: Euro (€) = 100.
Country Code: + 39 ~
IDD Access Code: 00 ~
Internet TLD: .ite~
Emergencies: 112
CLEARANCE
All the yachts entering in the Italian waters are subject to arrival and departure formalities as follows:
– E.U. and Non E.U. flagged yachts over 30 mt or 400 GT are subject to pre-arrival formalities for arrival and departure. The yacht must provide the Agent the Certificate of Registry, a valid insurance appendix in Italian and an updated crew and guests list.
– E.U. and Non-E.U. flagged yachts are subject to immigration checks. An updated crew and guests list must be provided in each port.
– All the European flagged pleasure yachts are exempt from the arrival and departure formalities with the Coast Guard.
– All the Non-E.U. flagged pleasure yachts are subject to obtain a COSTITUTO (clearance for pleasure yacht) in the first Italian port and have it stamped in each capitanerie of the in-between ports. This COSTITUTO must be returned to the last Italian coast guard office before leaving the Italian waters.
– E.U. flagged commercial yachts are [also] exempt from a full arrival and departure formalities, but they need to complete a garbage form before the arrival in the port and obtain a garbage removal exemption from the coast guard for the departure.
– Non-E.U. flagged commercial yachts must carry out the full arrival formalities (clearance) at the first port of arrival and a full clearance in the last one. In the other Italian ports visited, only the garbage and a written notice of pre-arrival is necessary.
– All the E.U. and Non-E.U. Flagged commercial yachts over 500 GT must complete an ISPS pre-arrival before the arrival in each port or anchorage. In some ports a DOS is compulsory too.
GARBAGE DECLARATION
This declaration must be submitted to the local coast guard office 24 hours before the arrival in the case of a short trip or before leaving the last port of call/anchorage in case of a short trip.
Failure to provide this declaration on time might cause fines up to 6.000 Euros.
In the majority of these ports the local Coast Guard, before the departure of the yacht, requests a garbage removal exemption. Please provide your Agent your IOPP certificate and annex, the last page of the oil Record book and the receipt of the discharged garbage.
IMMIGRATION
Italy is a member of the Schengen Agreement Area. See http://europa.eu/index_en.htm for more details on the immigration rules.
It has been reported that Italian Immigration Authorities can be difficult if Italy is your first point of entry into the Schengen area but is not shown as such on your visa.
WHAT IS A SCHENGEN VISA?
The Schengen Agreement came into force in 1995. This Agreement links all member countries with a consistent visa policy and therefore a Schengen visa issued by any country under the Schengen rules will be valid for travel in all the Schengen countries. This means that one visa alone will enable the bearer to travel in all the Schengen countries.
Not all European Union countries are signatories to the Schengen Agreement.
Current (July 2013) members of Schengen Area are:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark (including Greenland), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
SCHENGEN VISA INFORMATION
The Schengen Visa is valid for 90 days. This means that a total of 90 days only in any 6-month period can be spent in the Schengen Agreement area, even if it is a multi-entry visa and time is spent in countries outside the Agreement. So if all 90 days have been used, then a new visa cannot be issued sooner than 6 months after first entering the Schengen area.
It is important to remember this when contemplating an extended cruise in northern European waters and/or the Mediterranean and a member of your crew requires such a visa.
Schengen visa applications must be made to the Embassy or Consulate of the country, which is the first port of call. Applications should normally be made to the Embassy in your home country, so pre-planning is important as your passport will have to accompany your application.
Applying for the visa once you have left your home country is very difficult indeed. Not entering the Schengen Agreement Area through the country specified on your application as your point of entry can also cause difficulties.
Travel insurance, including medical cover and repatriation, is also required when you apply for a Schengen visa.
NATIONALS NOT REQUIRING A SCHENGEN VISA FOR STAYS OF UP TO 90 DAYS
Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.
NOTE: Citizens of non-EU countries who do not require a visa to visit a Schengen country, are still usually (but not always) subject to a 90 day limit on the length of their stay in any 6 month period. This 6-month period starts on the fist day of entry into a Schengen Area country. The “clock” can then immediately be restarted again at then end of this 6-month period if necessary.
NATIONALS NOT REQUIRING A VISA FOR STAYS LONGER THAN 90 DAYS
EU citizens and those of Norway and Switzerland.
Nationals of New Zealand are permitted to spend up to 90 days in EACH in several of the Schengen Area countries due to prior bilateral agreements.
NATIONALS REQUIRING A SCHENGEN VISA FOR ANY LENGTH OF STAY
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Burma (see Myanmar), Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Brazzaville), Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), Fiji Islands, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti , India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldavia, Mongolia, Montenegro,Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Marianas (Islands), North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Salomon Islands, São Tomé and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Samoa, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Last Updated June 2013
CUSTOMS
EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation.
Firearms must be declared on arrival. The penalty for non-declaration is imprisonment.
Stop and search operations by Italian Police/Customs are not uncommon, and are more likely if a boat does not respond to an initial call on VHF channel 16.
A crackdown on the sellers and buyers of counterfeit items, i.e. purses, sunglasses, watches and belts, bearing luxury labels such as Prada, Gucci, Fendi and many others now means that criminal charges may be brought against people caught purchasing counterfeit products with fines up to 10,000 Euros.
Last updated June 2013.
HEALTH
Seafood should not be consumed in areas of heavy pollution.
DOCUMENTS
Yachts must carry their original registration document and ship’s radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required.
A crew list showing surname, forename, date and place of birth, function on board, passport number and nationality.
The proof of insurance requirements are exacting; proof of five million euros third party insurance issued by an insurance company having reciprocal arrangements with a recognised Italian insurance company with an Italian translation, or insurance bought in Italy through an Italian broker.
It is illegal for yachts to sail in Italian waters without valid third-party insurance. Yachts, which do not have insurance, may not be allowed to leave the harbour until they obtain it. Insurance can be obtained locally from an Italian insurance company.
FEES (SARDINIA)
The previously applied tax on yachts visiting Sardinian ports has now been cancelled.
Last updated January 2012.
RESTRICTIONS
Underwater fishing with scuba gear is prohibited. Spearfishing is also prohibited for anyone under 16 years old, within 1640 ft. (500 m) of a beach or of a fishing boat at anchor. When underwater, the presence of the diver must be shown by a float with a red flag and yellow diagonal stripe.
It is illegal for foreign yachts to charter in Italy. However, if one arrives with a charter party from abroad one can obtain the transit log in the usual way. Neither the charter party nor the crew may be changed while in Italian waters.
If transiting the Strait of Messina, be sure to contact the authorities prior to transit to advise them of your movements. Boats have reported being stopped by the coastguard, in particular when trying to cross the VTS, and fined for not giving advance notification.
Anchoring is also not permitted in the Strait of Messina. If anchoring in case of emergency, be sure to report where you drop the hook to avoid large fines.
There are Anchoring Restrictions in Italy, relating to a “default” EU Law which forbids anchoring or manoeuvring under engine within 500m (can be 1,000m) of the “shore”/”beach”/”swimming area” unless there is a swimming area marked out off the beach. Regional Port Captains can amend this legislation for their area, for example in Reggio de Calabria the restriction is no anchoring within 150m of the beach/bathing zone.
RESTRICTED AREAS
There are many protected marine parks in Italy where there are strict limits of navigation and regulations.
To avoid being subject to a fine and an eventual court case, we highly recommend you to ask your agent for full information about the area you expect to cruise.
Herewith a short list of the most visited restricted areas:
– Bergeggi Island (Ligurian Sea)
– Portofino (Ligurian Sea)
– Cinque Terre (Ligurian Sea)
– Secche di Tor Paterno (Rome Aera)
– Tavolara and Punta coda Cavallo (Sardinia)
– Asinara (Sardinia)
– Capo Caccia and Piana Island (Sardinia)
– Sinis Penisular and Mal di Ventre Island (Sardinia)
– Capo Carbonara (Sardinia)
– Ventotene and Santo Stefano Island (Rome Area)
– Ponza (Rome Area)
– Gaiola (Gulf of Naples)
– Punta Campanella (Gulf of Naples)
– Ischia (Gulf of Naples)
– Baia (Sicily)
– Ustica Island (Sicily)
– Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine (Sicily)
– The Egadi Islands (Sicily)
– Plemmirio (Sicily)
– Ciclopi Islands (Sicily)
– Capo Rizzuto (Calabria)
– Porto Cesareo (Puglia)
– Torre Guaceto (Puglia)
– Tremiti Islands (Puglia)
– Miramare (Trieste)
– Pelagie Islands (Sicily)
Last updated July 2013.
PETS
To import your dog, cat or ferret to any European Union country, it must be microchipped first. No vaccinations that are given before the microchip count. Even if your pet’s current rabies vaccination has not expired, it still must be re-vaccinated for rabies after the microchip is implanted.
The next step depends on which country you are entering the EU from. If it is a high-rabies country, then you must wait for 30 days after the rabies vaccination (do not count the day of veterinary visit) before getting your dog, cat or ferret a rabies titer test. The sample must be sent overnight in a refrigerated blood pack to an approved laboratory for processing. Assuming your pet’s antibody levels are at least 0.5 IU/ml, then your pet can enter the EU without quarantine 90 days after the day the blood was taken for the test.
Good news is that the EU will consider your pet’s titer test valid for the life of your pet as long as its rabies vaccination does not expire.
If your pet is entering the EU from any other country, it will not need the titer test. It can enter the EU after waiting at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination is administered.
One last thing: if your dog is traveling to the UK, Ireland, Norway, Finland Malta, it will need a tapeworm treatment administered by a licensed veterinarian between one and five days of entering those countries. This assumes that it is not entering any of these countries directly from another country listed here. (Entering the UK from Ireland, or entering Finland from Norway) In these cases, the tapeworm treatment is not required.
For more info please check the link https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/eu-legislation/non-eu-imports_en
CASH DECLARATION
Anybody carrying cash on board equal or above €10.000 (or equal value in other currency) must do a declaration for the sum to the custom office in each first and last port of any EU country.
The captain or who for him must repeat the declaration in every EC country he is transiting in, should the amount be over €10,000 or for any reason increases.
This law applies whether you enter port or are out at anchor within 12 nm from the coast.
In case each individual has less than €10.000, but the total on board is over this limit, this cash must be kept distinctly separated in different envelopes with theowner’s name clearly marked on each envelope.
The captain is the person in charge of the cash to captain and APA, but he can still carry up to €10.000 as personal cash separated by the rest or make a declaration if this amount is above €10,000.
Each country has is own form to be provided to the local custom office upon/before arrival.
Use of Jet Ski & Tenders
– Driver must be at least 18 years old
– The driver must have a marine driving license
– They can only be used in daylight hours
– A safety jacket or dive suit must be worn at all times
– Some ports require the use of the helmets too
– The exhaust tube must be kept beneath the water
– The driver must stay 400(min) – 1000(max) meters from coast
– The driver must stay outside any national marine park or restricted area.
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS
The jet ski must have in its compartment, a written declaration from the captain stating that the jet skis are part of the regular equipment of the yacht and that the documentation is aboard the mother ship and an authenticated copy of the ship’s insurance that show the jet skis are insured.
When possible the jet skis should be separately insured and they should have the documentation on board.
Please see attached the Custom Code Regulation N.993-2001.