Who needs an NZeTA from Italy?
Every Italian citizen who plans to fly or sail to New Zealand needs an NZeTA, unless they already hold a New Zealand visa. That includes babies, children, retirees and business travellers. The rule has applied since 1 October 2019 to all travellers from visa-waiver countries such as Italy.
The NZeTA is not a visa. It is a quick electronic check carried out before you travel. Approval is linked to your passport, and you don't need to print anything, although many travellers keep a copy of the email just in case. Your airline checks your NZeTA at check-in, often at Fiumicino or Malpensa, and again if you connect through a hub.
Carta d'identità vs passport
Your carta d'identità will not get you to New Zealand. It is only valid for travel within Europe. You need an Italian passport, valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave New Zealand.
Passport appointments at the Questura can book up quickly in spring and summer. If your passport is due to expire, renew it first and then apply for the NZeTA with the new passport.
Many people of Italian descent around the world, particularly in South America, hold Italian citizenship alongside another nationality. If that's you, choose one passport for the trip and use it consistently for your NZeTA application, flight booking and arrival.
Italian retirees often spend several weeks with children or grandchildren who have moved to New Zealand. This is a common use of the NZeTA, but each visit is limited to 90 days. If you would like to stay through a whole New Zealand summer, consider a visitor visa instead.
Cognome, nome and married names
The NZeTA form asks for your "family name" (cognome) and "given names" (nome). A few tips for Italian names:
- Names with two parts, such as De Luca or Di Stefano, should be entered exactly as the machine-readable lines show them, with or without the space.
- Accents and apostrophes, as in Niccolò or D'Angelo, are removed in the machine-readable lines.
- Italian women usually keep their birth surname on their passport after marriage. Use the passport surname, not your married name.
- Include all given names printed in the passport, such as Maria Grazia.
What's the purpose of your trip?
| Purpose | NZeTA OK? | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday or honeymoon | Yes | Up to 90 days per visit |
| Visiting family | Yes | Carry your host's address |
| Business meetings, trade fairs | Yes | No paid work in New Zealand. See business travel |
| English course | Yes | Up to 3 months |
| Working holiday, wine harvest work | No | Separate working holiday or work visa |
| Cruise visiting New Zealand | Yes | See our cruise guide |
Italians aged 18 to 30 who want to work while they travel may be eligible for the Italy Working Holiday Visa. You apply for it separately, and you won't need an NZeTA for a trip on that visa.
Apply for your NZeTA online
Our NZeTA application form is in English and works well on a phone. Before you submit, our team checks the form for common mistakes, such as reversed names or mistyped passport numbers.
Contact and travel details
Add your email address, choose your processing option and select the type of travel.
Traveller details
Enter passport details for each person. You can add up to 10 travellers.
Declarations
Answer short questions about health and character for each traveller.
Photo and payment
Upload photos and pay by card. Your fee includes the IVL tourism levy.
Processing options are Normal (48–72 hours), Emergency (24–48 hours) and Rush (12–24 hours). Prices are listed on the fees page.
Applying early is especially useful in December and January, when many Italians travel to New Zealand for its summer and flights are busy. After you apply, you can check your application status online, and we will email your decision as soon as it is available.
Planning your journey from Italy
Flights
There are no non-stop flights. From Rome or Milan, you will usually connect in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Singapore, with total travel time of around 24 to 30 hours. New Zealand is 10 to 12 hours ahead of Italy.
Seasons
Ferragosto falls in the New Zealand winter, which is ideal for skiing. For beaches, vineyards and long hikes, travel between December and March, New Zealand's summer.
At the border, carry your passport, an onward or return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation details, and complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration before you arrive. The border officer makes the final decision on entry.
Many Italians also see New Zealand on a cruise around Australia and the South Pacific. Cruise passengers need an NZeTA too, even if they only go ashore for a day. Apply before you board the ship.
Italian food and New Zealand biosecurity
Many Italians like to bring a taste of home. New Zealand protects its farms and native wildlife with very strict rules, so you must declare all food on arrival.
- Salami, prosciutto, mortadella and other meat products are often refused
- Fresh fruit, vegetables and seeds for planting are generally not allowed
Homemade sauces, olive oil, honey and cheese must also be declared. Declaring doesn't cost anything, and many packaged foods are allowed after inspection. Failing to declare can lead to an instant fine.
Start your NZeTA application from Italy
FAQ for Italian travellers
No. Italy is a visa-waiver country, so Italian citizens can visit New Zealand for up to 90 days without a visa. You do need an approved NZeTA before you travel.
No. The carta d'identità elettronica is not accepted for travel to New Zealand. You must apply and travel with a valid Italian passport.
Use the passport you will actually travel on, and apply for the NZeTA with that passport. Don't mix passports between your application, your flight booking and the border.
You must declare them. Hard, commercially packaged cheeses are often allowed after inspection, while many cured meats are not. Declaring avoids a fine.
Italian citizens aged 18 to 30 may be eligible for New Zealand's Italy Working Holiday Visa. It is a separate visa; an NZeTA does not allow work.
Yes. The NZeTA is linked to your passport number, so a new passport requires a new NZeTA application.
Allow up to 72 hours. You can choose Normal, Emergency or Rush processing depending on how soon you leave Italy.