Most Covid-19 test requirements have been dropped, but if you still need one, testing is easy and results are fast. If you are planning a trip to Rome, where do you get a Covid-19 test? Don’t stress, I have you covered. This article will explain testing requirements, where and how to get an antigen test, and even how you can book and reserve your test online today!
Update June 12, 2022: As of midnight on June 12, 2022, the United States will no longer require a negative Covid-19 test result for travelers flying into the U.S. If you are traveling elsewhere, please check with your local authorities, airline, or cruise ship for current requirements.
Update April 30, 2022: All Covid-19 restrictions to enter Italy have been dropped for all travelers. Please check specific rules at hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Update March 2022: Starting March 1, 2022, you only need to present a vaccine card to enter the country without quarantine or random testing. Unvaccinated travelers must show a negative test result and quarantine for five days upon arrival and test again at the end of those five days. These rules are expected to be relaxed even further on April 30, 2022.
Click the button below to reserve your Covid-19 rapid antigen test for the day before your departure in Rome.
Covid Test at Rome Pharmacy (Farmacia)
Budget-Friendly | Quick Results | Various Locations
There are a wide variety of pharmacies all over Rome that offer antigen or PCR tests. You can ask your hotel to reserve or book a Covid-19 test with us at a location like the one I visited. The result is just about the same, but reserving in advance adds a lot of peace of mind and keeps your vacation less stressful. The advantage of booking with us is that you can bypass all walk-in customers!
On my way to Termini station, while going down via Cavour, I noticed a pharmacy not far down the street from my hotel, The Monti Palace Hotel. The whole process to take a Covid-19 test at this pharmacy in Rome took 27 minutes. I showed up without having an appointment because I first went to the train station (which is further down via Cavour) and decided to return after noticing the long lines at the station.
The white testing tent is on the street directly in front of the pharmacy. I walked into the pharmacy to ask if I could have a test without an appointment. The pharmacist told me to get in line and fill out the paperwork in line. I stood in line with my mask on for 10 minutes before entering the pharmacy. I also had my passport and payment method.
The pharmacist verified my info and scanned a copy of my passport. The next step was to register my negative result with my identity document in their government system.
They then handwrote my information on the testing form, including my name and birthdate. I asked her also to handwrite my passport number to be sure. She stamped and initialed my negative test result.
Cost: €22
Covid Test at Rome Fiumicino Airport
No Appointment Needed | Last-Minute Option | Convenient Location
If you want to wait until the last minute, the airport does have a testing center. I described the step-by-step process in my How to Get a COVID test in Italy article.
It is nice to have a last-minute option, but you must plan extra time at the airport. I’m not too fond of unnecessary stress on a travel day, so I view the airport as a last resort option. The good thing is that just like the train station and pharmacy, you can receive your results within minutes. You will need to present your negative Covid-19 test results upon checking in and boarding.
Another drawback to getting a Covid-19 test at the airport is that it will be too late to upload results to your airline’s app or use Verifly if you fly British Airways or American Airlines. It also means you will have to fill out the paper version of the health declaration form required to enter the United States.
Cost: €22
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Bonus: Take Home Tests
Take-home tests purchased in drug stores before leaving the USA are becoming increasingly popular. I think they are a good backup option. They cost about the same as a test in Italy and can take about the same time as getting a Covid-19 test in Italy.
The most significant caveat is that you never know how long it will take. The tests that are considered acceptable for travel require an online consultation. For more information on my experience with take-home tests, see my article on getting a COVID test in London.
What Happened to the Red Cross Covid Testing Center at Roma Termini Station?
Recent travelers to Rome have communicated that the free Red Cross tent is closed and our team in Rome has confirmed this. One of the main reasons I originally listed this location was because it was a free testing station, and I want to save people money when I can. Now your best choice is to pre-book your Rome Covid Test on this site considering how important it is for travel at this time.
Cost: €20 – 30
Location
Need a PCR Test in Rome for Cruising or Onward Travel?
I’ve had great experiences at private clinics and recommend them in Italy, especially if you need them for a PCR test. Synlab has several labs throughout Italy in the major cities, and you can book everything online.
In Rome, there are several locations in the city center. Receipt of PCR results is within 24-36 hours, but you can pay extra to expedite the results within 24 hours. The site is in Italian so if you don’t speak the language, use a browser that will translate.
The price tag for 24-hour result is steep at 100€. If you want to reserve at a pharmacy for under $50 per person, be sure to book your appointment with us.
I was in Rome the past few days and flew back to Germany via the airport Leonardo da Vinci. I had planned an extra hour for my testing at the arrival level to have my rapid test (20EUR). It was at morning, so not too busy, you might wanna add some extra time if u arrive at noon/afternoon. Everything went smooth, u can register online beforehand, so no need to waste time at the tablet terminals. U can just move to the next stop, the Check In desks to show your registration email, they ask for destination airport, what test u want (antigen or PCR), passport etc, and u pay with creditcard. Then u get papers, need to get a ticket number at the machine near by (important!). U don’t have to wait for your number to be called, just walk over to the booth, and wait til they ask u to sit down. They’ll take your papers, your passport, ticket number, take the test and then u wait nearby for 15mins. Eventually they will call your ticket number and hand u over the result on paper with your passport and that’s that. It was super easy, no worries.
Hey Rebecca. Thanks so much for the comment and for sharing. I’m happy you had such a smooth process. Sounds a lot like Sean’s experience at FCO. You can read about it in my other COVID test article
https://thetourguy.com/travel-blog/italy/how-to-get-a-covid-test-in-italy-to-return-to-the-usa-2021/
Hi –
Do you know if the Pharmacy results that are in Italian but with English translation above each section work for flying back to the US?
We just had a test and the results were a EU green pass with QR code but the result is “negativo” even though the remainder of the document is in English and Italian.
Thanks!
Yes it said “Negativo”. Still accepted by the airline
Hi, do you know how long a PCR test takes at the FCO? Would I be able to take the test 4 hours before my flight and get results within the 4 hours?
Don’t know about the PCR test, but all you need to return to the USA is an antigen test. The whole process took about 30 mins but I would add an hour plus to your airport time for testing.
I will have to have a PCR test before joining a cruise, after a week in Rome, so I’ll obviously need to have this done in Rome. They won’t accept rapid antigen. Any insight into how difficult this will be?
Italy has an excellent system of testing. You can get tested for free at Termini or book a test at a Pharmacy. Reserving in advance is the key to not waiting around. We believe the experience will be easy and pain-free as we’ve done it multiple times – I am responding to this in London Heathrow after taking an antigen test this morning. Book in advance and schedule a morning or afternoon to do it. Always check back into gov websites to see what rules have changed. The good news is the rules are loosening as cases decline!
I need at PCR test with a QR code to get into Egypt from Rome. Am I to understand you can get a PCR test at the airport? I thought I read the airport only has the antigen test. The results also need to be in print form with a QR code on it. Is this fairly easy to find?
I’m at termini station now. They say they do not test. Only do vaccinations. FYI
Hi Todd. Who did you ask or speak to? Not the first time we’ve heard this, but our Rome team has confirmed with Termini Station that the tent is still there and offering free tests, but the line is very long.
I’m in the same boat as Tina (possibly, quite literally). We are spending 4 days in Rome prior to joining a cruise. The cruise line is requesting a PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to joining them. Information specifically for acquiring PCR tests in Rome would be appreciated.
They do not offer free testing at the Termini station anymore. There is a pharmacy on the corner where you can get it done in 30 min for 22 euros.
Thanks for this. Not the first time we’ve heard this, but our Rome team has confirmed with Termini Station that the tent is still there and offering free tests, but the line is very long. Also, pls be aware of the strict hours for testing. Lastly, they have been known to run out of tests on a busy day.
Wanted to check if the test at the Pharmacy the (ART-Antigen Rapid Test) or is that PCR test. I need a PCR test and wonder where can i get it in ROME?
It depends on the pharmacy. Some do not offer PCR test and just Antigen. So make sure you confirm when you book your appointment.
Rome Termini does not offer free covid tests anymore. You have to go to the pharmacy. Please update for current travelers
Thanks for this. Not the first time we’ve heard this, but our Rome team has confirmed with Termini Station that the tent is still there and offering free tests, but the line is very long. Remember, the test closes at noon. What time did you get there?
I was in Rome last week and looked every day as we passed Termini station for the Red Cross covid testing; never saw them. We saw the big Red Cross set up of white very big tents on the corner, but the signs very clearly stated no covid testing. So, we went to the Farmacia listed above and got our tests done on Oct. 26 for 22 euro each. No line, very fast (completed paperwork and literally 60 seconds until test results were returned); whole thing took 10-15 min for two of us. They completed the paperwork I needed and they knew what they were doing. I highly recommend these folks. Made the return from Italy wonderfully easy and stress free.
Thanks for the update. I’m glad the pharmacy I recommended worked out for you too. Happy Travels
Love your blog and I used the information, especially when it came to finding a Covid test. You should know that the Italian Red Cross at the Rome train station is no longer testing for Covid.
I found a pharmacy at the train station that was testing for Covid and used their services, instead. I thought you might want to know.
November 19. Used pharmacy in the station on main floor. 15 euros.
Yes, the tent is still there in the parking lot, but that is only for vaccinations. They no longer offer free tests. We went in anyway, because of everything we read on this site and the insistence by “your team” that the tests are still offered. The medical personnel in the tent told us to find a pharmacy to get a test.
I think your team is seeing the tent and assuming they are testing. If anyone in the last month and a half has gotten a free test at Roma Termini Station please correct me.
We also added the pharmacy on Via Cavour just down the street from this tent as another option. It’s been on this article for quite some time. Thanks.
We are on the train leaving Rome right now. Last night was a stressful experience, as we tried to make sense of all the testing possibilities. Google searching lead me here, but it also lead me to twenty different sites that gave me twenty different answers – in another language!. Our tour guide from earlier in the trip was able to get us set up. We used Farmacia Cicerone – Via Ostiense, 53, 00154 Roma RM. The clerk spoke English. No appointment was needed and only a few people ahead of us (we got there right when they opened at 8am). Paid at the desk inside, and he gave us the forms we needed but told us not to fill them out. Waited in line at the tent outside for just a few moments. That employee had us write down our name, email, and phone number, and performed the test. Went back inside and waited about ten minutes. They printed out the forms we needed in Italian and English. So smooth, so quick, and SUCH a relief after worrying about it all day! I can’t recommend them enough!
Bummer you had added stress. Sounds like a similar experience that I wrote about in this article at the pharmacy on Via Cavour.
Hello! Thank you for this important information. My family of 7 is travelling to Italy over Christmas and require a Tamponi Moleculare AKA PCR Test to return to Canada on January 3. We were able to find LifeBrain Labs when we were in Italy over the Summer and Fall to do this type of test but,.not only are most labs closed on Sundays, (January 2 is a Sunday) but Saturday, January 1 labs that might do the test are also closed it seems.
Do you know for certain if the airport does Molecular or PCR tests and if they would be open on January 1 to take the test? Do they have their own lab and would they have our results to us by early morning on January 3? Results for the PCR tests take up to 36 hours.
Thank you very much for any help you can give me. Alternatively, if you know anywhere in Rome that does the test and would be open January 1 or late December 31, can you let me know.
I am in Rome now (12/4/21) and the red cross is NOT offering covid test there. Go to a pharmacy and you can get tested there. Results are available in about 30 minutes for 15 euros. Prices may vary depending on the pharmacy.
We’ve now made it easier to book antigen COVID tests in Rome: https://thetourguy.com/tours/rome/rome-covid-test
With the updated entry requirements for the US (1 day before flight) my only option is FCO now. Testing all seems to be closed Sunday in Rome and my flight leaves Monday morning. Yikes.
We’ve made it easier for you to meet the 24hr requirement for travel back to the USA. You can book your test now directly with us https://thetourguy.com/tours/rome/rome-covid-test
Hello. We will need a PCR test which is printed in English. I have looked at Medinaction but they charge 130 Euros. Anyone know a few chemists/pharmacies who do quick PCR test. We do NOT want an antigen test, the UK government won’t accept that. Many thanks
Was it a PCR test? Thanks.
We are arriving in Rome on 12/26/21 and joining a cruise on 12/29/21. We need to get a PCR test to join the cruise. We are staying by the train station. Do you have any pharmacy recommendations – names and locations.? Email addresses would be great too!!
There are four of us.
We do have a pharmacy recommendation in the article.Good luck!
Hi we will be travelling to United Kingdom from Australia in September 2022 then flying into Rome for a cruise early October. The cruise company MSC have said they accept Monitored rapid test no more than 48 hours prior to boarding. Can you please advise me on best place to get this done.
Thanks Sam
Here you go:https://thetourguy.com/tours/rome/rome-covid-test
Thanks for sharing, any ideas on getting a Covid test for US travel in La Spezia or Cinque Terre.
The Biden Administration is lifting testing requirements to enter the USA on June 12, 2022 00:01. Testing will not be required to enter the USA after that. The CDC plans to evaluate this plan after 90 days. But for now, no more testing after June 12 for air travel entry into the USA.