Which countries can you visit without a passport?
Italian citizens have the unique opportunity to travel to many places without needing a passport, thanks to international agreements and the nature of the Italian identity document. Many destinations, including some unexpected ones, allow entry with just a valid identity card for expatriation, whether for a short or long vacation. If you're looking for places to visit without a passport, your options can be divided into three categories: European itineraries, experiences in overseas territories, and selective openings to non-EU countries.
European countries accessible without a passport
The Schengen Area, of which Italy is a part, allows citizens to move freely between member states, making a passport unnecessary for travel. Destinations such as Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Greece, and Portugal can be reached with an identity card. Alongside European Union member states, countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein participate in this facilitated mobility. Travelling without a passport in these contexts enables quick and easy movement, especially for short stays or summer vacations. The Greek islands, Central European capitals, and Spanish cities known for their art offer some of the most rewarding cultural and scenic experiences, all accessible without needing additional documents.
The islands and overseas territories of the European Union
Many people are unaware that there are exotic destinations where they can travel without a passport, as long as these places are legally part of countries within the European Union. Examples include the Canary Islands, Spanish islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean, and France's overseas territories. Madeira and the Azores, which are part of Portugal, also fall into this category. In these locations, Italian travellers can enjoy experiences outside of geographical Europe while still staying within the legal boundaries of their citizenship.
Where you can travel without a passport outside Europe
In some non-European countries, travellers can enter without a passport if they have an intact, valid identity card and meet specific requirements. For example, entry to Tunisia is only allowed through organized tourist packages, while in Egypt, two passport photos are required for a visa issued at the border. Turkey, although outside the European Union, also permits entry with a valid electronic identity card that has at least five months remaining before expiration. In the Balkan region, countries such as Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina allow Italian travellers to enter without a passport. These destinations, which are still relatively under-visited, offer a unique charm characterized by direct interaction with local cultures, unspoiled landscapes, and cuisine influenced by both Mediterranean and Eastern traditions.
