Foreign Ham Operations in Italy

General info for foreign HAM operations in Italy by IK2XYU

Please read also : Tourist Ham Radio Operations in Italy

Foreign Amateurs who wish to operate in Italy may do so if the country of which they are a citizen and amateur licensee has entered into a bilateral or multilateral reciprocal operating agreement with the C.E.P.T. Countries.

No additional permit is required just bring your original license, a C.E.P.T. certificate and a valid I.D. (such as your passport or ID card for E.U. residents) (this is pursuant to Article 140 of the Italian Decree 259 of 1 August 2003) Often the C.E.P.T. agreement license is included in the home country license.

If your country is not in the C.E.P.T. agreement, you should contact directly the Italian Ministry of Communications, usually you can have a reciprocal permit, but it could take a while (few months sometimes).

Using the C.E.P.T. license mobile and portable operations are welcome. You can use a local Amateur home or club station.

Generally you should follow the rules of your border entry in Italy to limit your radio operations. If you will stay longer than 90 days, you should apply for a local license.

Only one class of Amateur Radio licenses is available in Italy (full license) (this is pursuant to Decree of 21 July 2005 published in the official Gazette nr 196 of 24 August 2005). No Morse code is required. All Italian licenses are equivalent to C.E.P.T. class 1 – recommendation T/R 61-01

Identify your station with the right callsign !

Remember to identify your station with the appropriate callsign ! Following the C.E.P.T. rules you must identify the country of operation, your home call and the operative conditions, e.g. I/DL1ABC/P.

Italy is divided into call areas, mainly on region base, so that it is a nice practice to use the appropriate local prefix, eg. I2/DL1ABC/P for Lombardy and IT9/DL1ABC for Sicily. Ask a local Amateur Radio for the right area call suffix or just use the C.E.P.T. rules using the I prefix only. See the following map as reference.

Additional info to properly operate

Please note that with the C.E.P.T. agreement, frequencies are limited by the country of operation, and Italy has its own frequencies. You can request a list of frequencies to ARI. For common use of VHF and UHF please note:

6 meters: 50 MHz to 51 MHz, mainly CW, SSB and digital operation. FM is not in use as per IARU band plan.

2 meters: 144 MHz to 146 MHz. Lower portion of the band (144 MHz to 145 MHz) is CW, SSB and digital. Upper portion of the band (145 MHz to 146 MHz) is FM and repeaters. APRS is on 144.800 MHz (in all EU).

70 cm: 430 MHz to 434 MHz and 435 MHz to 438 MHz. From 434 MHz to 435 MHz it is NOT for Amateur radio (be careful).

In Italy, aircraft or similar operations aren’t allowed.

Important notices:

(1) you are not allowed to use a microphone or a mobile phone while driving a car, as this will be fined by the Police.

(2) frequencies that are not allowed for listening to (such as Police frequencies, etc.) should not be memorized in your radio.

2 meters repeaters

144 MHz VHF FM repeaters : step is 12.5 KHz with –600 KHz shift (some tone required)

output frequencies are 145.600 – 145.800 MHz – input frequencies starting at 145.000 MHz

NOTE : for 144 MHz VHF FM repeaters not all frequencies area available in all regions

144 MHz VHF FM phone : 145.200 – 146 MHz with 12.5 KHz step

70 centimeters repeaters

430 MHz UHF FM repeaters : step is 12.5 KHz with +1600 KHz shift (some tone required)

output frequencies starting at 430.025 MHz – output frequencies starting at 431.625 MHz

NOTE : is not easy locate 430 MHz UHF FM repeaters in Italy. Not all frequencies are available in all regions.

GENERAL COMMENT : Contact some Italian HAM for the latest frequencies update including the Subtones list.

Cross Band Repeater

Cross Band Repeaters are legal in Italy. You can find them around and probably even you don’t know it, you are using them !

Using Italian List for Repeaters, probably you can notice the Cross Band Repeater as transponder (not Transponder, we are Italian and we like mistakes !)

Some EchoLink repeater is available.

56 thoughts on “Foreign Ham Operations in Italy”

  1. Caro collega Simone, ho letto con grande interesse le informazioni di licenza di radioarmatore per gli stranieri in Italia. Comunque, io sono italiano residente e nato nel estero, la mia licenza all’esterno Argentina per molti anni. Quanto vorrei poter avere uno, ma italiano!, Non solo di usarlo le poche volte che viaggio, ma per farlo, forse, dal momento che anche qui. ¿Puoi dirmi qualcosa in merito o darmi la vostra opinione se lo vedi possibile?. Da già vi ringrazio molto. Tutta la mia storia era qrz.com. GL GL. 73 del

  2. Hi

    thank you for the info, I am about to travel to Napoli and Sicily this Thursday (3/10) and I would like to get the list of repeaters available there (U/V) so I can chat with local hams, is there a list like that?
    thank you

    Izzy 4X1UF

  3. Hello Simone,
    I am so lucky to find your webpage before I really went to Italy. This is BG4FNF from Shanghai, China. We’re going to Italy at April, 2014 and we’ll have a 18-day trip in Italy by car. Unfortunately, I didn’t find any official rules or websites of the usage of foreign ham operation except yours. I am quite clear about this part now.
    Say ‘Thank you’ again for your information and look forward to pick up your signal in future.

    VY 73
    BG4FNF

  4. I am a bit confused about foreign amateurs oeprating in Italy. Your web pages indicate that morse code is no longer a requirement to work on the HF bands in Italy. Unfortunatley I can’t locate the article you quote. But the IARU web pages still indicate that morse code is required for HF operation. Are the IARU pages out of date as I am intersted in operating in Italy later this year when on holiday.

  5. Andrew
    Yes Morse Code is no more an examination requirement to get a Ham Radio Licence since almost 8 years now.
    You can operate CW of course, but morse code test is no more needed to pass examinations anymore, because has been removed by tests.

  6. Ciao Simone, G4EKM here. I am buying a property in Lombardi – Dumenza, Lago di Maggorie. I hope to be there for the summer. I will not be an Italian resident immediately but I want to apply for an Italian license. Do you have details or a web site I can go to in order to start the process. I have normal just been I2/G4EKM when we have been this side of the lake (other side I1/GEKM hi hi)
    73’s
    Steve

  7. Well I suppose you need to keep in touch with local Ministery of Communications… “Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico – Comunicazioni” from Lombardia Region.
    Found this link

    Dott.ssa Valentina Coen
    Tel: (+39) 0265502.253
    Fax: (+39) 0265502.274
    E-mail: valentina.coen@mise.gov.it

  9. Hi Simone de W0JDJ. I’m considering moving to Italy when I retire. I have a US amateur extra class license. Will I need to take the exam in Italy to obtain an Italian license? 73, -Joel

  10. Hi, well I dont’ really think you will need to take the exam to get an italian ham-call.
    You may write to the local department of “Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico Comunicazioni” asking if it is possible to convert US ham licence into Italian One and get the permission to be excluded by the exam session and to directly get the Italian licence.

  11. Simone,
    I am interested in doing some RC flying, in particular ‘First Person View’, and I was wondering if you could help me with some questions I have about legal frequencies in Italy?
    I’ve found out that 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz are perfectly legal for radio and video transmission, however, is it possible to use the following:
    433Mhz
    1.2GHz (1.010GHz to 1.28GHz specifically)
    1.3GHz

    If none of the above are legal can any of them be used with a Ham licence?
    How would one go about applying for a Ham licence in Italy?

    Grazie mille,
    Tom.

  12. Dear Simone,

    I am looking for a Ham Radio Operator named Maria Maras Comida (IS1EHM) who was a freidn fo the family in the 1950’s. She Lived in Gagliari Sardinia, and we have lost contact. My father passed away and I have all his call cards from all over the world.

    It would wonderful if you can guide me as to how to trace this person. Thank you

  13. Dear Simone,

    I am looking for a Ham Radio Operator named Maria Maras Comida (IS1EHM) who was a friend of the family in the 1950’s. She lived in Gagliari Sardinia, and we have lost contact. My father passed away and I have all his call cards from all over the world.

    It would wonderful if you can guide me as to how to trace this person. Thank you

  14. Compliments on your excellent information site Simone.
    I have a question about repeaters in Italy. Is the 1750 Hz tone burst common to all Italian repeaters (independent of PL/CTCSS tone)? Is this burst also used for the D-star repeaters?

    73 de Steve

  16. I am EA4GIL from Spain and wanted to ask your opinion. We visited Rome last weekend with my wife and daughter, and as usual I travelled with my handheld radio (VX8 yeasu) and my family each have a PMR license free walkie, that makes it easier finding us again in large places and museums. I had read your advise before leaving so I counted on having no problems while enjoying our trip to Italy.

    However, when I stepped out of the Scala Sancta I was approached by a group of 8 policemen who asked me about my radio. Interestingly, I did not use it but had it inside my coat pocket with the mike clipped on the outside. So I showed them my CEPT ham license and also my Ministry of Interior / Direccion General de Proteccion Civil ID since I am a member of the REMER (Red Radio de Emergencias). It still took about 25 mins (8×25 =200 minutes of security forces distracted to check a radio amateur license)with a lot of questions and they did not seem to know what was a CEPT license, or a radio amateur, and ask me not to use my radio given the times. Of course I reassure that we are to help and cooperate and that’s it.

    So I was curious if you have any documents from the Italian rules that I could show next time when visiting? At least even greater security we should still be able to count on the administrative police to respect the laws regarding us.

    73
    Etienne
    EA4GIL
    REMER:28T110

  17. Etienne, thanks for sharing your experience.
    Well, here in Italy as in some other countries, we have several kind of security forces, we have Police, Carabinieri, Vigili Urbani, Polizia Stradale , Guardia di Finanza, and even others. Usually those who works on the street don’t know all laws and rules, so I undestand that is normal they made you some questions. It happens from time to time even to us. Usually they don’t know what a CEPT licence is but should know thay you need a paper to operate, while they know it’s legal the ownership itself.
    What you showed them I believe is enought and is all what you need.
    Unfortunately you know that these radios nowdays are very easy to buy and can have been used by criminals in several cases, that the reason why nowdays they attract police attention.
    Simone

  18. I am from Canada and planning to visit Italy in a couple of weeks and I notice there are many repeaters listed on Echolink. Can you recommend any where English is spoken? My Italian is not so good –nil, in fact– and so it would be nice to know if there is an Echolink site which I could check in on. I am planning on having a phone or tablet with Echolink and while I was considering bringing a dual band handheld I didn’t know if I’d use it. I will be renting a car for about two weeks and spending several days in Rome, southern Italy and Venice.

  19. Hi Simone
    How are you?
    Do you have any information about operating (with a handheld 5W max, V and U) on a cruise ship like Costa Crociere? I wrote to the company but no answer and nothing listed as prohibited in their conditions.
    73
    Etienne

  20. Hello Simone,

    Would like to use the C.E.P.T opportunity to operate temporarily in Italy, My US call is WA3UEA and I will be in Vicenza, off of Ponte via Strada Marchese. What would be the proper suffix to use?

    Thank you for your email contact point.

    73

    Lukas

  22. Hi Simone,

    Question on remote operations from Italy –
    Can I operate remote radio based in Italy – I would operate it from outside of Italy and have CEPT I. Licence from Slovenia

    thanks & 73 Dane S53T

  24. Hi,
    Is there a list of VHF & UHF repeaters on Sicily?
    I will be visiting and wanted to program my handheld.
    Thank you.

  25. Hello,

    I just moved to Italy (Milan) and am looking to get into amateur radio. I speak english, Spanish and Portuguese but not Italian. Do you know of any english speaking groups/people in the area that I could meet up with to help me get up to speed?

    I have all the equipment that I brought over from the U.S. I just don’t know now to use any of it yet! 🙂

    Thanks!

  26. Hi Simone,
    I’m considering retiring in Italy. I understand the CEPT rules. However, I will be there longer than 90 days and I would prefer to use an Italian call sign versus my US call sign with the ‘I’ prefix. I am trying to determine if I can get an Italian license based on having a US license without taking a test. If I must take a test, I would like to know if the test is available in English. I realize that you may not have the answers. So my real question is how can I get this information? Who do I contact? I’ve searched on the Internet and can’t find an email address or a street address for the proper Italian government agency.

    Another question… In the US, home owner’s associations are very common in newer neighborhoods. These organizations generally prohibit any radio antennas from being installed anywhere on the property. Are there any restrictions on the installation of ham radio antennas in Italy. I don’t plan to put up a big tower, just a modest antenna… dipole, vertical, Inverted-V, magnetic loop, etc.

    73,
    Chuck
    KG6PH
    Plano, Texas

  27. Thanks for the info Simone. I hold a SV1 callsign (Greece, full-license). How do I convert it here in Italy, will the actual Greek license be kept by the Italian offices and replaced by an Italian one, or will I retain my ‘SV1’ in Greece and a get a new ‘I’ callsign here in Italy? I don’t speak Italian and I am afraid that my SV1 original paper license might get lost if I submit it here for conversion.

  28. Hi Simone!
    I have a question for you, I have a hungarian CEPT novice license. How can I operate in Italy? I will be here until the end of September and will work close to Potenza. I would appreciate your help!

  29. Ciao Simone, is this the right contact information for Italian ham radio licenses?
    _____________
    Radioamatori – Licenze aeromobili civili, VHF can16 : Gianpaolo Cozza Tel. 0265502.216 – E-mail: gianpaolo.cozza@mise.gov.it

    (link: http://www.mise.gov.it/index.php/it/?option=com_content&view=article&viewType=1&idarea1=593&idarea2=0&idarea3=0&idarea4=0&andor=AND&sectionid=0&andorcat=AND&partebassaType=0&idareaCalendario1=0&MvediT=1&showMenu=1&showCat=1&showArchiveNewsBotton=0&idmenu=2263&id=2011608)
    _____________
    Since I will be staying for several months in Italy (Ispra, VA), I want to apply for an Italian callsign. However, I don’t speak Italian, so I am not sure if the ministry can help me in English language. I hold a CEPT type callsign from Greece (SV1).
    Grazie!

  30. Hi Simone…
    I am John, 4L1AN, from Tbilisi Georgia.
    I have also American call sing- N5KEB.
    Some times I have bussiness trips to Central Italy, near city Ancona, Fano, Senigalia.
    I would like to make some QSO on VHF and UHF bands, carrying my handytalk radio TH-F6.
    Georgia is not member of C.E.P.T. Can I use my American callsing to work on bands via repiteri from I6 area, like I6/N5KEB, or I can work like I6/4L1AN???

  31. If your country is not in the C.E.P.T. agreement, you should contact directly the Italian Ministry of Communications, usually you can have a reciprocal permit, but it could take a while (few months sometimes).

  35. Simone, thanks for the great info! An important point to make (and that I was not able to understand until I did some additional research) is that U.S. amateurs with a Technician or Novice amateur license and NOT allowed to operate under the CEPT agreement. There are a lot of people in the U.S. who hold a Technician (or “tech”) license and so they could be potentially operating illegally. I did not see this on the site, maybe I missed it but I wanted to clarify this. Thanks!

    Here is what the ARRL states: “There is no equivalent CEPT class for the US Technician or Novice license, therefore a US Technician or Novice licensee is not eligible to operate under CEPT reciprocity”

  36. Hi Simone great site thanks. We are coming over to your area September on a cruise and i’ve read the goverment web site but i most of missed some thing in there on wether we have to get a special visiter license or not coming from Canada. From what I read I don’t think so but you never know? Do you know off hand as it seems you have a better grasp of whats going on? I will have my HT and transmitting APRS while there. Hopefully we can talk as we crusie through? we are going to these ports Barcelona, Nice, Livorno, Civitaveechia, Naples, Venice, Ravenna, then over to Kotor Montenegro then back to Barcelona. If there is a repeater that i could use to call you somewhere there please send it to me and we will hook up. Thanks Tom VE7XTA Chilliwack BC Canada

  37. Tom,
    I do also redirecto to the MISE (ministero dello sviluppo economico e comunicazioni) for official and up to date informations.
    All what I know is written in this page, but are just content of a personal blog site… not official at all.

    About your trip, surely a nice trip of Europe. I live 100 km from Livorno and from there maybe you will have a trip to Pisa and Florence. You will find several VHF UHF repeaters active. But here people does not chat a lot, so don’t expect Nets or whatshowever…
    Look for Italian repeater database on google. Enjoy my Country.

  39. Chuck,

    About licence, you should keep in touch with Ministero Sviluppo Economico e Comunicazioni (MISE) of the region you will choose.

    About possibility to setup antennas, well is different than in US. We have not an association but we have lots of places where panorama restrictions may apply. You cannot setup a tower behind “the old bridge” or close the Pisa Tower or Colosseo as you may immagine.

    So, it depends a lot where you are going to stay. If you choose a house in the country side, you will be free to setup as many antenna farms you want, but if you choose an apartment in a city, things change, and you will have to find an agreement with the condos.
    However keeping in touch with the local hams will drive you to the correct directions.
    Hope this help.

  41. Buongiorno Simone. I would like to ask for your help with loading local 2m/440cm frequencies into my HT. I use the CHIRP program. I did a search for Italian frequencies, but there did not seem to be any available. Would you have an online resource for frequencies in the Venice / Pordenone region of your country? Thank you! 73 de David AE4LH

  42. Hi Simone, my call is YO3ITD and I will visit Rome between 11.05-13.05. With a valid CEPT Novice License will be fine to operate the local repeaters?

    Regards,

    IULIAN

  43. Ciao Simone ti volevo domandare se adesso che torno in Italia per 4 mesi posso operare hf con la licenza Australiana?
    Grazie
    Marcello Vk4dmp

  44. Hi
    Can you tell me if a Danish B novice Licens works i Italy’?
    Going to Lake Garda i September maybe i would bring my radio and work as I3/oz2ca
    De Oz2ca

  47. Hello, I enjoy the information on your site about operating in Italy. My question is about moving to Italy. My wife and I are starting our plans to retire full-time in Italy. One thing I wanted to check was if you know any hams that has done this before? I was curious if there are any issues with Type-Acceptance on my radio equipment for import. I have Elecraft/Icom, etc equipment so I believe it all to be CE rated. Do you know anyone that has moved there with the ham radio equipment? Thanks, de Tom NY4I

  48. While I believe you will have no issues on moving your equipment from a compliance point of view, you should keep in mind difference of voltage, we use 220v, but I’m sure you are aware of this.

  49. Thank you for your article. Only one comment / question:
    You wrote “see the following map” (to see which number is assigned to which region). But where is this map?

  50. What repeaters are in use around Lake Garda, I am expect to be there later this year
    I will take my HT with me anyway give it a try.
    73 de TF1GW or I/TF1GW Thor.

  51. Salve. Sono 4G1WWW dalle filippine. Dove posso sapere i requisiti per i filippini che vogliono portare l”apparato ed operare in italia? Grazie mille. 73.

  53. I have a US amateur extra license (KN6CAI) , live part time in the US with an US address, US SSN etc. and I have a second address in Italy (holiday home, not a permanent residency) but I hold a German passport – not a US one. Do you know if I am allowed to operate in Italy?
    Thanks
    Gustav

  55. Hi Simone.

    Thanks for the great information on your webpage.

    I will be moving permanently to Rome, Italy in September with my Italian wife. We will have a permanent address. I am looking for information regarding who I need to contact in relation to getting an Italian callsign once we are settled if possible.

    Regards. Steve G0LQP 73

  56. I have an extra license (N9NUQ) and I will be visiting in spring of 2025 in a cruise ship and operating as C6/N9NUQ/MM. Upon arrival in the waters of Italy, I would like to operate ??/N9NUQ/MM and while visiting Rome, I would like to operate as ??/N9NUQ/P. Simone any assistance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated especially about the prefix.

    Thank you
    Roberto

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