Bermudians travelling to Europe on a Bermudian passport will now have to obtain a visa in order to enter Italy, the local consulate announced yesterday.

Due to a change of policy of the European Union on December 26, 2006, any British Dependent Territory citizens with a local passport will need a visa to enter Italy.

This applies whether Italy is either the first port of entry to Europe or the country where the visitor stays for the longest period of travel.

Karen Stroeder, assistant to the Italian Consul for Bermuda, said: " Due to the great number of Bermudians travelling to Europe each year, and as Italy is one of the most popular destinations, we do not want any traveller to be inconvenienced during business or vacation trips.

"We therefore felt the need to inform the local travel agencies so that they can in turn, inform their customers of these new rules.

She added: "We strongly advise that your clients obtain their British passport as an option, which means that they will then NOT need a visa to enter Italy or obtain any Schengen visas."

The application for the Italian visa has to be processed through the Italian Honorary Consul on the Island. The cost of an entry visa which takes up to eight weeks or sometimes longer to obtain, changes every 3 months:

— $85.90 by US $ draft and this cost varies according to European exchange rates;

— Approximately $95 for courier costs;

— Approximately $70 administration agency costs to prepare and process the paperwork.

Minors travelling to Italy with school groups need to supply additional information.

Once a visa is obtained, it allows travel within the following 15 Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Further information and application forms can be obtained by contacting the consul at 295-5391 or at italia[AT]northrock.bm. Hours of operation: Mon, Wed and Fri 10 a.m. -12 p.m. by appointment.