Electricity

Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Rounded two-pin or three-pin plugs are standard.

Language

Vatican City has not established an official language. Italian, German, French and English are all widely spoken and understood.

Money

The euro (EUR) is the official currency, and is divided into 100 cents.

Tipping

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents.

Health

There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the Vatican City and visitors should be able to travel without special vaccinations and medications.

Safety

Crime in the Vatican City consists largely of purse snatching and pick-pocketing in crowded areas. The tourist foot-traffic in St. Peter's Square is one of the main locations for pickpockets in Vatican City.

Local customs

Vatican City is a Roman Catholic state, and visitors should respect local religious traditions. Modest dress is required (no sleeveless shirts and short pants or skirts), and people are expected to remain quiet in sacred areas.

Doing business

The Vatican is the world's smallest country and its economy relies on a combination of donations, mass investment in artefacts and gold and, in particular, tourism through museum admissions and the sale of coins, stamps, and publications.

Duty free

Travellers over 17 years from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. There is also no duty on 4 litres of wine, 16 lires of beer or 1 litre of spirits over 22 percent volume, or 2 litres of alcoholic beverages less than 22 percent volume. Other goods up to the value of €430 are permitted as well.

Communications

The international access code for the Vatican City is +379.

Passport & Visa

Since the Vatican City is only accessible through Italy, visitors must hold a Schengen Visa. Visitors may be refused entry if they do not have visible means of support, and return or onward tickets and other documents required for their next destination. It is highly recommended that visitors' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Passports or passport-replacing documents issued more than 10 years prior to date of travel are not accepted. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry requirements

US nationals require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay for entry into Vatican City. No visa is needed for stays up to 90 days.

UK citizens require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay for entry into Vatican City. No visa is needed for stays up to 90 days.

Canadian nationals require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay for entry into Vatican City. No visa is needed for stays up to 90 days.

Australian nationals require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.

South African nationals require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay and a valid Schengen visa.

Irish nationals require a passport valid on arrival for entry into Vatican City. A visa is not required.

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for three months beyond the period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days.

Useful contacts

112 (general emergencies)

Embassies / consulates in other countries

Italian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for the Vatican): +1 202 612 4400.

Italian Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for the Vatican): +44 (0)20 7312 2200.

Italian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada (also responsible for the Vatican): +1 613 232 2401.

Italian Embassy, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for the Vatican): +61 (0)2 6273 3333.

Italian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for the Vatican): +27 (0)12 423 0000.

Italian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland (also responsible for the Vatican): +353 (0)1 660 1744.

New Zealand Embassy, Rome (also responsible for the Vatican): +39 06 853 7501.

Embassies / consulates in Vatican City

U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, Rome, Italy:(+39) 06 4674 1

British Embassy to the Holy See, Rome, Italy: +39 06 4220 4000

Canadian Embassy to the Holy See, Rome, Italy: +39 06 6830 7316

Australian Embassy to Holy See, Rome, Italy: 349 00186

Embassy of Ireland Holy See, Rome, Italy: 0039 06 6828151