Key facts
| Entering Italy | All four countries are visa-exempt: up to 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area. |
|---|---|
| ETIAS | No confirmed start date yet (the EU postponed it; expected in 2027). |
| Apostille | All four are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. |
| Social security | Mexico has an agreement with Italy; for Chile, Peru and Colombia we check each case. |
Country by country
| Country | Italian consular office | Apostille |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | Santiago | Online apostille (Civil Registry / Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| Peru | Lima | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (online apostille) |
| Colombia | Bogotá | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (online apostille) |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Each state government for state records; Ministry of the Interior (SEGOB) for federal documents |
Italian citizenship
Since 28 March 2025 (Decree-Law 36/2025, Law 74/2025), people born abroad who hold another citizenship only qualify for Italian citizenship by descent if:
- they filed the application or court case by 27 March 2025; or
- a parent or grandparent holds, or held at death, only Italian citizenship; or
- an Italian parent lived in Italy for 2 continuous years after becoming a citizen and before the applicant's birth.
In 2026 the Constitutional Court upheld the reform (judgment 63/2026) and then referred questions to the EU Court of Justice (order 147/2026), so the issue is still open. The Court of Cassation (Joint Sections, judgment 24045/2026) resolved the minor issue favourably: a minor born in a jus soli country did not lose Italian citizenship when the parent naturalised. This matters a lot for cases filed before 2025.
The most common routes
- Study: Italian universities with affordable fees and regional scholarships, then conversion to work.
- Work: Decreto Flussi or EU Blue Card for professionals (engineers, IT, healthcare).
- Degree recognition: key for doctors, nurses and engineers.
- Family reunification if you already have family living legally in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
Not for tourism up to 90 days. To live, study or work, yes, depending on the purpose.
Can I get my medicine or nursing degree recognised?
Yes, with recognition by the Italian Ministry of Health and registration with the professional body. We help you with the file.
Where do I apostille my documents?
In the country that issued them: in Chile, Peru and Colombia the apostille is done online; in Mexico it depends on whether the document is state or federal.
Last updated: 2026-10-23. This guide is general information and does not replace a lawyer's advice on your specific case. Italian immigration rules change often.