With just 36 days until the Olympic flame is lit in Milan, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has declared 2026 the “Olympic year,” boasting that 98 transport projects are in final testing. Rail upgrades in Valtellina, last-mile road links in Cortina and new passport-control facilities at Bergamo airport headline the list. The announcement matters for mobility planners far beyond sports logistics.
Neighbouring Austria and Slovenia have already prolonged internal Schengen border checks through June 2026 to cope with the expected influx, meaning business travellers can face spot ID inspections on roads and rail lines into Italy. Companies should brief employees to carry passports — not just national IDs — and factor possible delays into schedules. Organisers will issue accreditation passes that exempt holders from some toll increases, but only within designated Olympic lanes; ordinary commuters and suppliers may see journey times lengthen.
![Milano-Cortina Olympic Countdown Spurs Border-Control and Transport Readiness]()
The ministry confirmed that all competition venues meet universal-access standards, an important detail for assignees with reduced mobility. An Olympic transport plan, due later this month, will set out dedicated traffic corridors, airport slot caps and freight curfews — each with direct implications for project cargo and time-critical deliveries. Tourist-tax surcharges in Milan doubled on 1 January, further increasing assignment costs during the Games period.
For travellers unsure whether they need a Schengen visa, an ETIAS authorization or additional documentation tied to Olympic accreditation, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The service’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) offers real-time requirement checks, online form completion and optional courier pickup, helping companies and individuals stay compliant without last-minute airport surprises.
Travel-management companies are advising clients to secure hotel allotments quickly as availability tightens. Visa-exempt travellers must also budget for the new €20 ETIAS fee that came into force EU-wide at midnight. Early compliance will prevent last-minute airport denials once the system’s grace period ends.
Neighbouring Austria and Slovenia have already prolonged internal Schengen border checks through June 2026 to cope with the expected influx, meaning business travellers can face spot ID inspections on roads and rail lines into Italy. Companies should brief employees to carry passports — not just national IDs — and factor possible delays into schedules. Organisers will issue accreditation passes that exempt holders from some toll increases, but only within designated Olympic lanes; ordinary commuters and suppliers may see journey times lengthen.
The ministry confirmed that all competition venues meet universal-access standards, an important detail for assignees with reduced mobility. An Olympic transport plan, due later this month, will set out dedicated traffic corridors, airport slot caps and freight curfews — each with direct implications for project cargo and time-critical deliveries. Tourist-tax surcharges in Milan doubled on 1 January, further increasing assignment costs during the Games period.
For travellers unsure whether they need a Schengen visa, an ETIAS authorization or additional documentation tied to Olympic accreditation, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The service’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) offers real-time requirement checks, online form completion and optional courier pickup, helping companies and individuals stay compliant without last-minute airport surprises.
Travel-management companies are advising clients to secure hotel allotments quickly as availability tightens. Visa-exempt travellers must also budget for the new €20 ETIAS fee that came into force EU-wide at midnight. Early compliance will prevent last-minute airport denials once the system’s grace period ends.
