Italy to South Korea visa requirements

Italian ordinary passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for up to 90 days. K-ETA is temporarily exempt for Italian citizens through Dec 31, 2026. Italian ordinary passport holders can enter South Korea without a visa for tourism, visits, conferences, seminars, and other non-remunerated short stays under 90 days. Italy is listed by the official K-ETA portal with an allowed stay of 90 days, and the temporary K-ETA exemption for designated countries, including Italy, has been extended through December 31, 2026. During the exemption, Italian citizens do not need K-ETA before boarding, though they may still apply voluntarily if they want K-ETA benefits such as not submitting an arrival card; the optional K-ETA fee is KRW 10,000 plus any online payment fee, typical assessment is 72 hours or less, and validity is 3 years or until passport expiry. For documents, Italian travel advice lists at least 3 months of residual passport validity for visa-exempt entry and says a return ticket may be required; the Italian Embassy in Seoul says short-term visitors should keep the passport valid for the whole stay and that Q-Code and similar items are currently optional. Border officers may ask for itinerary, accommodation, onward/return travel, and sufficient funds, especially if they suspect work, long-stay intent, or a visa-run pattern. Work, study, remunerated activity, journalism assignments, and stays over 90 days require the appropriate Korean visa before travel.