Naval Support Activity Naples and Naval Air Station Sigonella have issued updated travel guidance urging all U.S. service members, civilians and dependents stationed in Italy to use the **resident** passport line—rather than the tourist lane—whenever they cross an EU external border. The advisory comes as the European Entry/Exit System (EES) approaches full roll-out on 10 April, digitising passport stamps with biometric enrolment for most non-EU nationals. Base officials told Stars and Stripes that failure to follow the instruction could result in travellers being logged as short-stay visitors. That, in turn, may trigger automatic over-stay alerts the next time they leave or re-enter the Schengen Area, complicating everything from weekend leisure trips to official TDYs. Under NATO Status-of-Forces rules, U.S. military families in Italy hold so-called "sojourner’s permits" that exempt them from the 90-day Schengen cap. However, border agents unfamiliar with the permits—especially at smaller airports—sometimes direct DOD ID-card holders into lanes meant for tourists. The bases’ travel offices say the risk of misclassification will rise once passport stamping ceases and EES becomes the single source of stay-duration data. Practical tips include carrying hard copies of sojourner’s permits, ensuring the correct passport (no-fee, official or regular) is presented in line with Italian regulations, and building extra time into connection windows for first-time biometric registration. Companies that second US contractors to Italian bases should update pre-departure briefings and check that logistics providers are aware of the new procedures. The episode underscores a broader lesson for corporate mobility teams: permanent residents and long-term assignees may still be swept up in systems designed for short-term visitors when new technology is introduced. Clear documentation and proactive coaching remain essential even in supposedly "friction-free" Schengen travel.
Source: Stars and Stripes
