Traveling from Germany to Italy
 

We currently live in Germany. We're American's but since we're military we have German driver's licenses. Do we need to get IDPs to drive from where we are, through Austria, and into Italy? Also, we need Visa's correct? We will be there for 2-3 years so I think that would be considered long-term. lol

Hi heatherholmes84,

Do you mean you'll be in Italy for 2-3 years? I assume it's because you and your spouse will be there for military assignment?

If that's right, then you are covered by the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and won't need a separate visa.

s

We will be in Italy for the time specified, yes. And it is, indeed for military reasons. We were told we need a Visa any way. :( I do hope you're right though. I so badly want to go to Italy and look forward to every second we will be there. I've enjoyed out time in Germany but I've ALWAYS wanted to go to Italy.

Who told you that? Make sure you get all your information from the proper sources. Your sponsor and your commander at your next duty station will have the appropriate information.

s

I don't think heather has checked back it, but I did not want mis-information to be left on the thread. As swandav2000 states, anyone planning on moving to Italy should definitely check this out personally and not take what is said on a travel forum as "gospel truth".

We moved from Germany to Italy, and the military made it very clear that accompanying family was NOT to arrive in the country UNLESS they already had visa's in their passports. We were allowed to apply for the Sogiorno permits once we had arrived, but not the Visas.