Before any departure, it is necessary to check that you have all the 'papers in order' so that you can travel without problems.
The regulation of travel of minors (with or without parents) is often unclear, so, in addition to pointing you to the official sites to consult in order to keep up to date with the provisions in force, below you will find information that will help you avoid making serious mistakes that could jeopardise your departure.
DOCUMENTS FOR MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 14 TRAVELLING WITHOUT PARENTS
Children under the age of 14, who have to travel outside Italy without their parents, must be in possession of a valid individual travel document:
- For travel within the EUidentity card or passport.
- For non-EU countries: passport (it is also necessary to check whether a visa is required for the country of destination).
- For the United Kingdom: Until 30 September 2021 it will be possible to travel with ID card o passport. From the 1 October 2021 it is compulsory to travel with the passport. It is also advisable to take out health insurance.
- Until the age of 14 Italian minors, who are not travelling accompanied by at least one parent, may expatriate on condition that they are issued, by the competent authority, the accompanying declaration.
- WHAT THE ACCOMPANYING DECLARATION IS
Up to the age of 14, Italian minors may travel abroad on condition that they are accompanied by at least one parent or guardian or that the name of the person, organisation or transport company to whom the minors are entrusted is mentioned on the passport or on an accompanying declaration.
The declaration of accompaniment is issued by the Questura (or territorially competent Commissariat) in Italy and/or the consular office abroad.
Such a declaration may relate to a single journey (to be understood as a round trip) from the child's country of residence to a specific destination and may not normally exceed a maximum period of six months.
A maximum of two accompanying persons may be indicated on the declaration, but they will be alternated.
The Questura issues to the user ATTESTATION OF DECLARATION  which the accompanying person will present at the border together with the child's valid passport or identity card.
- HOW TO OBTAIN THE ACCOMPANYING DECLARATION
The declaration of accompaniment must be submitted by the parents or guardians to the Passport Office of the Police Headquarters or Police Commissioner's Office in the province of residence, by filling in a pre-printed form. Copies of the parents', minor child's and accompanying person's documents must also be submitted at the time of presentation.
Parents or guardians of children under the age of 14 may also apply for authorisation online, by logging in at https://www.passaportonline.poliziadistato.it. The application submitted online arrives directly at the Passport Office of the selected Questura (Police Headquarters), which, once the application is complete, will notify the citizen, by email, of the date of collection of the accompanying declaration. If necessary, the same office may request further information before issuing the authorisation.
When collecting the authorisation from the Office, the signed documentation to be able to collect the accompanying certificate.
N.B: Some airlines require official authorisation even in cases where it is not required by Italian law. In these cases it is best to inquire in advance from the airlines, which have special forms for this purpose.
DOCUMENTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 TRAVELLING ABROAD WITH THEIR PARENTS
Minors under the age of 14 travelling accompanied by one or both parents require a valid identity document for travel within Europe and a passport (with a residual validity of at least six months) for travel outside Europe.
DOCUMENTS FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 17 TRAVELLING ABROAD WITH OR WITHOUT PARENTS.
For minors who have already reached the age of 14, regardless of whether they are travelling abroad accompanied by their parents or not, a valid identity document for expatriation is sufficient for travel within Europe and a passport (with residual validity of at least six months) for travel outside Europe.
For more information see https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/191
Before any departure, it is also advisable to always check the Farnesina website www.viaggiaresicuri .it