Foreign nationals who intend to enter Italy shall have adequate means of support that can ensure subsistence during their stay as well as return to their country of origin or residence. The availability of such financial means is one of the prerequisites for entry into the Schengen Area as provided for by the Visa Code.
For implementing Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Consolidated Immigration Act (Legislative Decree No. 286 of July 25, 1998), on March 1, 2000, the Interior Ministry issued the Direttiva sulla definizione dei mezzi di sussistenza per l’ingresso ed il soggiorno degli stranieri nel territorio dello Stato (the Directive on the definition of means of support for entry and residence of foreign nationals in the national territory).
Pursuant to this Directive, foreign nationals can prove the availability of means of support by producing cash currency, bank guarantees, surety and insurance policies, equivalent credit instruments or bills of exchange guaranteeing payment, by means of documents attesting to pre-paid services or documents proving the availability of sources of income in Italy.
Unless otherwise provided for by the rules in force, foreign nationals are also required to prove the availability of suitable accommodation in the national territory (by means, for example, of a hotel reservation or a declaration of hospitality).
Besides being a fundamental requirement for issuing an entry visa, the possession of sufficient means of support may be ascertained during police checks when crossing external borders. If foreign nationals are not able to prove the availability of the necessary resources, they will incur a rejection order by the border police authorities.