International opportunities for students

 ATTENTION: This page is frequently updated!

Information for International Students in Trento 

COVID-19 Emergency: Starting from October 19th, 2020, the Italian government has renewed the Prime Minister's Decree (DPCM) valid throughout Italy requiring persons to have a mask with them at all times. Masks must always be worn in all indoor or closed spaces, other than private homes, and in all outdoor spaces. All group gatherings, dance events and parties are strictly forbidden. Furthermore, food service establishments (bars, pubs, restaurants, bakeries, etc.) may open from 5:00 AM to midnight only if food is served and consumed at tables and with a maximum of 6 people per table. Establishments without table service may open only until 6:00 PM unless take-away food is offered, in which case it may be served until later but must not be eaten in or near the restaurant. 

The entire DPCM can be found in via the Useful Links Box. For more information on general policies and measures implemented by the Italian government at the national level please see the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs FAQ page. 

Italy has opened international borders with many countries, but certain restrictions may still apply for those entering and leaving depending on origin and destination, including a possible 14-day period of mandatory self-isolation. For important details and updates on travel to and from Italy visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel website and the Italian Health Ministry's COVID-19 travel webpage.

An on-line travel information form has been created by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for people travelling to or from Italy based on current legislation. The form is intended ONLY as a general guide and it has no legal value, nor does it guarantee entry to Italy or other countries.

Travel Indications and Restrictions

The Prime Minister's Decree (DPCM) from October 13th, 2020 extends the minimum precautionary measures to counteract and contain the spread of COVID-19. The new decree partly partly modifies travel rules to and from Italy and identifies the following six groups of countries for which different limitations apply. Please open the links below and carefully read the corresponding restrictions:

Limited exceptions to the obligation and authorisation from the Ministry of Health
Limited exceptions to the obligation of fiduciary isolation, supervision and swab tests and how to apply the Authorisation from the Ministry of Health

When entry into Italy is NOT allowed
Positives cases, symptoms and close contacts

The main public health recommendations and prevention measures for those entering Italy
What to do if symptoms compatible with COVID-19 appear while you are in Italy and how to protect yourself and others.

Entry in Italy is in any case allowed for EU/ITALIAN/Schengen citizens even though they have resided in the aforementioned third countries, with a possible quarantine obligation and without the obligation to provide any reasons;

All persons travelling to Italy from any foreign location are required to provide the carrier, or law enforcement officers if they are stopped for checks, with the self-declaration travel form which can be found in the Download Box or downloaded here.

Useful Phone Numbers for the Italian Ministry of Health

Arrival in Trento

Self-Isolation Indications from the Trentino Board of Health

Immediately upon arrival in Trento, those subject to self-isolation must notify the local Trentino Board of Health (APSS) Prevention Department of their entry into Italy and the starting date of their 14-day self-isolation by sending an e-mail to segreteria.uoisp [at] apss.tn.it and attaching the completed APSS Self-Declaration Form (see the Download Box) and a copy of an identity document. A swab is currently not required by the local Health Board.

If COVID-19 symptoms appear this must be communicated immediately to the APSS Prevention Department.

After 14 days without symptoms the self-isolation period is considered complete and no further communication with the APSS is required.

For more information please see the relevant APSS website (in Italian).

In order to comply with the aforementioned national Italian decree, throughout the Province of Trentino everyone is required to have a mask with them at all times. Masks must always be worn in all indoor or closed spaces, other than private homes, and in all outdoor spaces. All group gatherings, dance events and parties are strictly forbidden. In addition, social distancing practices are still in place and masks are obligatory at all times while using all types of public transportation. 

Many bars, restaurants, retail stores, barbershops and a variety of other businesses are open with a limited number of people allowed to enter at one time along with additional measures in place to ensure a safe distance among clients and employees. In addition, some museums are opening to the public again with a reduced number of visitors and certain religious centers will be resuming activities with appropriate restrictions. 

In Trentino, public parks, bike paths, hiking trails and certain sports centers are open. Individual outdoor physical activity is allowed only under the following conditions:

  1. A safe distance from other people must be maintained at all times with 1 meter between others while walking and at least 2 meters during all sports activities such as jogging or cycling.
  2. Everyone must carry a mask with them at all times to be put on immediately if necessary.

​All team sport competitions and group events are still strictly prohibited. 

For more updates about specific Coronavirus emergency measures in place at the local level, visit the English websites of the Province of Trentino and The University of Trento. 

If you are looking for live updates on the COVID-19 emergency during these days at home then tune in to Quarantine Radio! This English langauge radio program created especially for international students also offfers music, health tips, audio books, digital socializing and much more!

With regard to international students, due to the continuously evolving global Coronavirus emergency, the consequent limitation or cancellation of academic activities at partner universities and the provisions of the European Commission the following policies have been adopted specifically for exchange students who are currently at UniTrento.

International Students Wanting to Go Back to Their Home Country or Called Back by Their Home University

Immediately inform your UniTrento Mobility Office:

  • Science and Technology: mobility-st [at] unitn.it
  • Social Sciences and Humanities: mobility-ssh [at] unitn.it
  • Cognitive Science: mobility-cs [at] unitn.it

Include in the same e-mail your request to cancel your accommodation contract (if you are staying in Opera Universitaria dormitories).

Confirm with your home university that they will accept the on-line courses and distance exam-taking options that are offered to you by the University of Trento in order to earn the credits included in your study plan. 

You may return to your home country following specific rules for foreign nationals in Italy indicated on the Italian Foreign Ministry FAQ page. In addition, carefully check travel restrictions and border closures before you buy any travel tickets and verify that all trains, buses and flights that you may use to travel are confirmed as operational. 

Starting on June 3rd 2020, travel within the Province of Trentino and between all regions throughout Italy is permitted for any reason. Italy is beginning to open international borders with many countries but certain restrictions may still apply depending on the destination. For more details and updates on travel to and from Italy visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel website.

International Students Wanting to Stay at UniTrento

You are welcome to stay in Trento and continue your UniTrento courses and exams online.

Should you need to change your Learning Agreement, send us any modification request forms even if they are not yet signed by your home university and we will insert the courses so you can access the online platforms. In case of problems related to exchanges or other issues (health, services, general information) contact your UniTrento Mobility Office:

  • Science and Technology: mobility-st [at] unitn.it
  • Social Sciences and Humanities: mobility-ssh [at] unitn.it
  • Cognitive Science: mobility-cs [at] unitn.it

Starting on June 3rd 2020, travel within the Province of Trentino and between all regions throughout Italy is permitted for any reason. Italy is beginning to open international borders with many countries but certain restrictions may still apply depending on the destination. For more details and updates on travel to and from Italy visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel website. 

Future Incoming International Students

Italy is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 emergency, but the situation is still constantly evolving and specific surveillance is active at the national and local level to limit new outbreaks of the virus. Effective measures for containing infections are in place, such as social distancing, prohibition of public gatherings and the required use of masks at all times in enclosed public spaces and on all types of public transportation

First Semester 2020 - 2021 Academic Year (Fall/Winter Semester)

International students are kindly invited to consider attending the semester virtually or postpone their mobility to the 2nd semester (Spring/Summer semester, February-July 2021) depending on the evolution of the pandemic. Should students decide to come to Trento anyway, they will be required to strictly follow all health and safety measures mandated by the Italian Government and by UniTrento.

Travel to Italy:

  • Please refer to the detailed travel indications listed at the beginning of this page.
  • Once again, be reminded that information changes rapidly and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website must be checked regularly for travel updates.
  • Should students need a visa, they will most likely have to wait longer than usual to get an appointment at the Italian Consulate or Embassy in their country. Furthermore, a letter from UniTrento may be required confirming that physical presence in certain classes is mandatory. If this is the case, students should contact the relevant International Mobility Office as soon as possible.

Self-isolation / Quarantine:

  • Students who are required by law to undergo quarantine cannot spend their self-isolation period in ordinary student housing. UniTrento is currently working to organize alternative lodging in Trento specifically for self-isolation with essential services and only for students participating in specific programs. Each student is responsible for covering all costs related to their self-isolation. Updates will be sent directly to each student. 
  • Once in Italy, students arriving from countries for which the self-isolation is required are only allowed to reach the address where they will self-isolate by the shortest possible route and without using any means of public transportation (including transfer from the airport). Renting a car (with or without a driver) or using a taxi are allowed. For students participating in specific programmes, UniTrento is currently working to organize transfers from the Verona Airport to Trento on specific dates which will be communicated to them in due time. Students landing at other airports are recommended to organize their self-isolation near the airport premises.

The Academic Calendar and fact sheet for the academic year 2020/21 are available on our webpage. 

Teaching methods will include:

  • Mostly on-line classes
  • Possible face-to-face attendance on a shift basis (those who are not physically present during a certain timeframe will attend virtually and then switch during the next class) or repetition of selected courses for staggered attendance. 
  • On-line courses, with the addition of possible face-to-face discussions in small groups. For those who cannot be present, alternative remote activities will be organized.
  • Please consider that it will always be possible also to participate virtually in all classes. Information on lectures and details about the specific format(s) for each course will be updated in the "Teaching and Learning" section on each UniTrento department’s website.

Exams may be conducted either face-to-face or on-line, however the on-line option will be available for international students attending the semester virtually.

Services and facilities:

  • Welcome services and information sessions for international students will be provided virtually, as well as social and cultural activities in order to complete distance learning with the right social and cultural dimension.
  • University offices are currently closed to the public. All staff is working from home until further notice but can be contacted by e-mail and phone. Video meetings can also be arranged if needed.
  • University libraries are open.
  • University restaurants and canteens will gradually re-open starting from the beginning of September.
  • University housing at Opera Universitaria dormitories are open but only for limited categories of students who have already been informed about the possibility to apply. Please refer to the self-isolation provisions above.
  • Access to laboratories will be granted only with prior authorization and when necessary to carry out research work that cannot be performed elsewhere. During all laboratory activities COVID-19 containment and emergency measures must remain strictly in force. Persons authorized to access the laboratory can stay only for the time necessary to perform the indicated task.

Virtual Mobility Website: A new section of the website with information, services and socio-cultural activities is under construction.

Health insurance: Once in Trento, international non-EU students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the national health system in order to be covered also in case of COVID-19 infection. The cost is 149,77 € per calendar year.

Erasmus+ KA107 ICM: Students are allowed to begin the mobility on-line but, for the mobility to be funded, it needs to be planned with a period of activities in Trento lasting at least 3 months. For updates please keep checking the UniTrento ICM news webpage.

UniTrento will continue to monitor the evolution of the global and national COVID-19 emergency and if the situation changes current provisions may be modified at any moment. For updated information please keep visiting this webpage.

For important details and updates from the Italian government on travel to and from Italy visit the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel website.

Counseling Service

For any student who would like to contact us during these difficult times, the Counseling Center is available by appointment via Skype or through other similar means of communication to give advice and support. Generally there are 1 or 2 appointments per student lasting about 20 minutes each. To make an appointment send an e-mail to: 
consulenzapiscologica.studenti [at] unitn.it
E-mails are read daily and you will be contacted to confirm your appointment. 
Students can also call 0461.808.116 Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 17:00
We hope this stressful situation passes and returns to normal as soon as possible. 

Call 1500 or 800.867.388 (toll free numbers) if you have a persistent cough and/or a constantly high temperature.