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🇹🇭THAILAND
🇮🇹ITALY (SCHENGEN)TH-IT

Do Thailand passport holders need a visa to visit Italy (Schengen)?

Thai ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to Italy for tourism. There is no visa-on-arrival, eVisa, or visa-free option. ETIAS does not apply to Thai nationals. Thailand is not a Schengen visa-exempt country, so an ordinary Thai passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa from Italy before departure. Applications are submitted through VFS Global visa application centres in Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai on behalf of the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok. The visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen Area, with single, double, or multiple entries depending on what is granted. The standard adult fee is EUR 80, and standard processing is about 15 calendar days (longer in peak season or if extra checks are needed). Because Thai nationals require a visa, the EU's upcoming ETIAS travel authorization — scheduled for a late-2026 launch — does NOT apply to them; ETIAS covers only visa-exempt nationalities. Applicants should lodge the application no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before the intended trip, and present travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, proof of accommodation, return flights, and sufficient funds.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single / double / multiple (as granted)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 80 (adult); EUR 40 (children 6–11); free under 6
consular fee only
Processing time
About 15 calendar days (up to 45 in peak season)
standard track
Validity
Per visa sticker; passport valid 3+ months beyond departure
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm the visa type and Schengen main destination
For tourism, apply for a Schengen Type C short-stay visa. Apply through Italy when Italy is your sole or main destination (longest stay or first point of entry).
· Type C· Tourism
/02
Book an appointment at VFS Global
Create an account and book an appointment at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai, which handles Italian Schengen applications.
· VFS Global· Appointment
/03
Gather and complete documents
Fill in the Schengen application form and assemble passport, photos, travel medical insurance (min. EUR 30,000), flight and hotel bookings, bank statements, and proof of employment/ties to Thailand.
· Documents· Insurance
/04
Submit application and biometrics
Attend the appointment, submit documents, pay the visa fee, and give fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) unless on file from a prior visa within 59 months.
· Biometrics· Fee
/05
Wait for processing
Standard processing is about 15 calendar days; allow up to 45 days in peak periods. Apply no earlier than 6 months and no later than 15 days before travel.
· 15 days· Lead time
/06
Collect passport and verify the visa
Retrieve the passport and check the visa sticker for validity dates, number of entries, and the authorized length of stay before traveling.
· Collection· Verify sticker
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Passport valid 3+ months beyond departure, issued within last 10 years, 2 blank pages
required
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
required
Two recent passport-size photos (ICAO/Schengen standard)
required
Travel medical insurance covering min. EUR 30,000 for the whole Schengen area
required
Round-trip flight reservation/itinerary
required
Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings or host invitation) for whole stay
required
Proof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements, usually 6 months)
required
Proof of employment/ties to Thailand (leave letter, business registration, etc.)
recommended
Day-by-day travel itinerary
recommended
Visa fee payment (EUR 80 adult) and VFS service fee
required
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 80Standard short-stay fee; payable at VFS in THB equivalent
Schengen visa fee (child 6–11)EUR 40Children under 6 are exempt
VFS Global service fee~THB 800–1,000Per applicant; varies, charged in addition to the visa fee
Travel medical insurance~THB 800–2,500Min. EUR 30,000 coverage; depends on trip length and provider
Total estimateEUR 80 + ~THB 1,600 — EUR 80 + ~THB 3,500incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard processing
~15 calendar days
Normal decision time after a complete application is submitted at VFS.
Peak-season / extended review
Up to 45 days
Summer, holidays, or when additional documents or checks are required.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Thailand is not Schengen visa-exempt
Thai ordinary passport holders are on the list of nationalities requiring a Schengen visa to enter Italy.
High
/02
Tourism is a short-stay purpose
Tourist trips fall under the Type C short-stay visa with the 90/180 rule.
High
/03
No visa-on-arrival or eVisa for Italy
Italy/Schengen does not offer visa-on-arrival or a tourist eVisa for Thai nationals.
Medium
/04
ETIAS does not apply
ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities, so Thai travelers continue using the Schengen visa.
Medium
/05
Insurance and proof-of-funds are mandatory
Schengen rules require medical insurance and evidence of means, common reasons for refusal if missing.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
Thailand to Italy route verified
Confirmed via the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok and VFS Global that Thai ordinary passport holders still require a Schengen Type C visa (EUR 80, ~15-day processing) and that ETIAS does not apply to visa-required Thai nationals.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Thai citizens enter Italy without a visa?—
No. Thailand is not a Schengen visa-exempt country, so an ordinary Thai passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa before traveling to Italy.
Do Thai travelers need ETIAS for Italy?+
How long can I stay on the Schengen visa?+
Where do Thai applicants submit the Italy visa application?+
How much does the visa cost and how long does it take?+
When should I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Thailand passport

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