Being a dual citizen of Italy and another country, whether that be the U.S, or elsewhere, will mean you hold the passports of those two respective countries. This article will explore some of the key points relating to traveling with two passports, and will discuss best practices.
Does it matter which passport I use?
In general, presenting more than one passport at border control will likely result in being denied entry/exits, and it is always advised to refer to the requirements of your country of residence/arrival in order to avoid any potential risks of being denied entry/exit. If you are traveling to Italy and have an Italian passport or ID card, Italian law requires that you to use that to identify yourself, and you must always present your Italian passport when passing through border control. Most countries worldwide have a similar policy. Likewise, when leaving and returning to the U.S., you should always use your U.S. passport.
Entry and exit requirements.
Most countries in the world have immigration checks at point of entrance, only. However, European countries have immigration checks on both entry and exit points. Most European states are party to the Schengen Agreement, and travelers must present their passport at border control at points of entry and exit when traveling within the Schengen area.
Your trip starts with your flight booking
It is now common practice to enter you passport details at the time of booking. It is the responsibility of the airline to ensure that you are legally able to enter the destination you are travelling to. Border control and immigration police checks start with matching your passport data (passport number, names and date of birth), with the information you entered at the time of booking, as well as any EU Passenger Locator Form or other that may have been requested. With this considered, it is important to make sure the passport details you enter when you booked your flight correspond with the one you use for travel.
When is it best to use my Italian passport?
Your Italian passport has many advantages when traveling within the European Union, EEA, and Schengen Zone countries. If you intend to stay in the EU or Schengen Zone for longer than a 90-day period, using your Italian passport will avoid time constraint restrictions that apply to non-EU passport holders.
Using the eGate
The eGates are automated immigration control gates where you scan your passport and a camera scans your face. This information is used to compare to the biometric data in your passport.
One benefit extended to European Union, EEA, and Swiss citizens when passing through immigration in the EU/EEA/EFTA/Schengen Zone is the option to use the eGates, which allows for a much quicker passage through border control.
Additionally, if you have an Italian passport, and those travling with you are EU/EEA citizens over the age of 16 (18 in some countries), you can all use the eGates.
EU/EEA citizens line
If you have someone in your party under the age of 16 or someone related to you who is not an EU/EEA citizen (your spouse, for example), you may still use the EU line, however your passports must be manually inspected as the EU line for non-EU spouse/relatives is not a right, but a courtesy. If you are traveling to another country within the Schengen area outside of Italy, and you do not have the passport of that particular country, present your Italian passport. As part of the EU, as an Italian passport holder you are also an EU citizen, and this means you can enter other European Union and EAA countries freely, together with family members, following the signs for European citizens at border control and presenting your Italian passport will ensure entry.
Ireland, although a member state of the EU, negotiated to opt-out from the Schengen agreement and continues to operate border controls with other EU member states.
Traveling to countries outside the EU
Some countries offer visa-free entry to Italian passport holders where they may issue a visa fee to American citizens, one example being Thailand.
Other countries may also have visa-free travel options to Italian passport holders, for example China recently piloted a 15-day visa free access for Italian citizens.
Inbound travel to the U.S.
American immigration law requires its citizens to enter and leave the country using their U.S. passport, and so if you hold a U.S. passport you must use it.
Unlike other countries the U.S. does not have formal exit immigration control. Instead, the U.S. border control utilizes departure rosters and airline document verification to know which foreign nationals are leaving the country.
Occasionally, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (CBP or ICE officers) may carry out exit checks. It important to be aware of this eventuality, as you must always present to yourself to U.S. authorities as an American.
Always refer to immigration law and guidelines
It is always important to refer to the respective country’s requirements prior to travel to avoid the risk of being denied entry/exit. For U.S. and Italian passport holders, the U.S. State Department, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministero degli Affari Esteri), will have all the relevant information regarding travel regulations. They will also report any updates in requirements, and so it is useful to refer to government guidleines in case of changes.
From November 2025, for example, the European Union will require U.S. citizens to acquire electronic permission to travel and enter the Schengen Zone through a program known as ETIAS (The European Travel Information and Authorisation System). U.S. citizens must complete this form and pay the fee before travel. ETIAS has a validity period of 3 years and expires when your passport expires, irrelevant of whether or not the three year period has been reached.
However, if you are a dual citizen and have an Italian passport, you do not need an ETIAS to enter the EU. And so traveling with your Italian passport will avoid this requirement.
The United Kingdom is another country the ETIAS will apply to, and if you are also a British citizen you will need to obtain an ETIAS authorization before travel. Again, using you Italian passport if your are an Italian/British dual national will remove this expectation.
If you are a married woman, it is important to highlight that in accordance with Italian law women do not acquire the surname of the husband after marriage, and this means if you get married your passport will still state your maiden name.
When entering Italy or the EU, airport security will automatically check page 4, especially in countries such as the U.S. or UK, where it is common practice for women to take the surname of their husband after marriage.
With this considered, it is important to make sure your married name has been added to page 4 of your Italian passport. Most countries have established Immigration law to avoid such issues and to allow for travel for women who use their married name.
In summary, if you are an Italian passport holder, when traveling to Italy, or any of the the EU Schengen countries, when checking-in for a flight, and when boarding and arriving in the EU, you must use your Italian passport.
If traveling inbound to the U.S., when checking-in for flight, you must use your U.S. passport.
It is also advised to carry both passports with you when you travel, so that you can present them if any issues arise.
This article has explored some of the key points relating to traveling with two passports.
If you would like to know more about applying for Italian citizenship, you can visit our homepage, or contact us directly, and one of our friendly advisors will be in touch to answer your queries.
