Flag:

Capital: Vatican City

Language: Italian

Area: 0.44 km²

Population: 1000

Timezone : UTC/GTM 1

Currency: The Euro (€)

Code: +379

Electric sockets: 230 V AC, 50Hz. San Marino’s power plugs are Type F and L.

U.S. citizens who wish to travel to Vatican City must have the following requirements:

  • Hold a valid U.S.-issued passport 
  • From 2022, an approved ETIAS visa waiver

Obtaining an ETIAS authorization for U.S. citizens is very simple: all travelers need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver is a valid U.S. passport. ETIAS is not a visa, the application process is fully online, travelers fill out the form and answer a couple of questions about themselves and provide their contact information. Once travelers finish filling out the application and pay the required fee, the application will be sent to a central ETIAS server. There, it will be screened across multiple European security databases.

Once approved, the traveler will receive an email notification and the visa waiver is linked to the passport electronically. If, however, the application is rejected, the traveler will receive an email explaining the denial and be given the chance to appeal.

U.S. citizens staying in Vatican City for more than 90 days:

The ETIAS visa waiver for U.S. citizens is only valid for short-term stays that cannot exceed 90 days. If the traveler wishes to remain in Vatican City for longer than 90 days, they must visit and embassy and request an extension. 

 

U.S. Embassy in Vatican City

Address: U.S. Embassy to the Holy See

Via Sallustiana, 49

00187 Rome, Italy

Phone: (+39) 06-4674-1

Tourist Travel Information about Vatican City

etias for vatican city

Although Vatican City is less than one square kilometer in size, more than 5 million tourists visit this city-state every year. Located entirely inside Italy, Vatican City is ruled by the Pope and is the “headquarters” of the Roman Catholic Church.

Some of the main attractions in Vatican City include visiting St. Peter’s Basilica; seeing Michaelangelo’s famous work on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; walking through Saint Peter’s Square (and maybe even seeing the Pope!); enjoying the beauty of the Gardens of Vatican City; or going underground and seeing the tombs on a Scavi tour.

For most travelers, Vatican City can easily be seen in one day: it is located in the outskirts of Rome, Italy, which makes it easy to travel to. The local language is Italian, although English is also widely-spoken thanks to the country’s developed tourism infrastructure.

Interesting facts

  • The Swiss Guard is one of the most recognizable symbols of Vatican City, with their armor and colorful yellow and blue uniforms. They have been protecting the pontiff since 1506!
  • Vatican City only has about 600 official citizens. About half of them (mainly diplomats) live abroad.
  • The only ATM with Latin instructions in the world is located in Vatican City.
  • Vatican City has its own football team that consists entirely of employees like police officers, postal workers, and members of the Swiss Guard.
  • With just two 300 meter tracks and one station, Vatican City’s railway network is the shortest in the world.
  • Vatican City is the only country to be entirely designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.
  • The radio station in Vatican City broadcasts in 20 different languages.

Medical Information for U.S. citizens

Recommended vaccines:

  • Routine Vaccines
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Rabies

Emergencies:

  • 112 is the emergency number that is used across Europe and is always free to call. Otherwise, travelers can dial one of the numbers below if they have a specific need:
  • 113 - Police
  • 115 - Firemen
  • 118 - Medical emergency/ambulance

Related Countries

Italy

ETIAS for Italy, Europe. American Citizens should apply for an Etias Visa Waiver when traveling to Italy. Find out about the requirements for US travellers.

Switzerland

ETIAS for Switzerland. US citizens that wish to visit countries in the Schengen zone will have to apply online for an Etias visa waiver.

Malta

ETIAS for Malta. American nationals visiting Malta should soon apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Learn more about the traveling requisites for US citizens.