Before Travelling

Incoming EU, EEA and CH citizens are required to produce an identity card valid for expatriation or a passport. Based on their nationality, country of residence, travel reasons and length of stay, citizens from countries outside the EU, EEA and CH must apply for an entry visa for Italy. Submitting the necessary documentation is no guarantee of being issued a visa. To check whether a foreign citizen needs a visa to enter Italy, please visit the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Euro is the sole currency of Italy. For daily exchange rates, please visit the website of the Bank of Italy. You can exchange currency in banks, exchange offices, airports and hotels.

Lake Como is famous for its balmy temperatures and the Mediterranean sun. Despite the fact that it’s very close to the mountains, its climate is mild and constant, due to its large mass of water that acts as a thermal reserve. With these conditions, winters are milder and summers are cooler than the regions of the same altitude and latitude.

Lake Como is located in the Central European time zone (GMT+1). Daylight saving time, when the clocks move forward one hour, lasts from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.

The emergency number is: 112.

No vaccination or prophylaxis is required to holiday in Italy. To transport medicines by plane, you need to be in possession of a medical certificate or prescription dated no more than 30 days before the date of travel, complete with the patient’s data, the pathology and the treatment prescribed.

Foreign citizens visiting Lake Como for diverse reasons are entitled to healthcare assistance, either in public facilities or affiliated private clinics.

In emergencies, healthcare is also guaranteed at the casualty departments of hospitals. For more information on emergencies, please consult the Useful Numbers section. For information on how to access services, please consult the website of Regione Lombardia (the Regional Authority of Lombardy).

1 January: New Year’s Eve
6 January: Epiphany
Easter: may fall from 22 March to 25 April
Easter Monday: Monday following Easter
25 April: Liberation Day
1 May: Labour Day
2 June: Feast of the Republic
15 August: Assumption of Mary
1 November: All Saints
7 December: Milan celebrates Saint Ambrose, the city’s patron saint
8 December: Immaculate Conception
25 December: Christmas
26 December: Boxing Day