With just 36 days until the Winter Games open, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport claims that 98 projects—from rail upgrades in Valtellina to passport-control expansions at Bergamo airport—are in final testing. Vice-Premier Matteo Salvini’s 1 January press note marks the official start of Italy’s “anno olimpico.”
Global mobility angle: Contractors, sponsors and media crews will rely on these links to shuttle staff and equipment between Milan, Cortina and cross-border hubs in Austria and Slovenia. Both neighbours have already extended internal Schengen checks through June 2026; companies should brief drivers on potential ID inspections on the A23 and Brenner routes.
Accessibility standards mandated for Olympic venues apply equally to new immigration-control booths, ensuring wheelchair-accessible e-gates at Bergamo and Cortina coach terminals. The ministry will publish a detailed transport plan later this month, including accreditation-holder exemptions from newly doubled Milan tourist taxes.
![Olympic Countdown: Government Declares Transport and Border Infrastructure ‘Ready’ for Milano-Cortina 2026]()
Travel-policy updates: ETIAS pre-authorisation and a €20 fee came into force EU-wide on 1 January. Mobility managers must confirm that all non-EU visitors—including athletes’ entourages—complete registration before departure.
For organisations that need hands-on help navigating ETIAS, Schengen rules or Italian work permits, VisaHQ offers a dedicated portal with real-time requirements and electronic application tools tailored to Olympic-period travel. Their Italy page (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) lets contractors, media outlets and sponsors process visas and permits quickly, ensuring staff arrive with the correct documentation.
Next steps: Firms should lock in hotel allocations and secure work permits early, as Questura appointment slots in Lombardy are expected to fill once Olympic-related hiring ramps up.
Global mobility angle: Contractors, sponsors and media crews will rely on these links to shuttle staff and equipment between Milan, Cortina and cross-border hubs in Austria and Slovenia. Both neighbours have already extended internal Schengen checks through June 2026; companies should brief drivers on potential ID inspections on the A23 and Brenner routes.
Accessibility standards mandated for Olympic venues apply equally to new immigration-control booths, ensuring wheelchair-accessible e-gates at Bergamo and Cortina coach terminals. The ministry will publish a detailed transport plan later this month, including accreditation-holder exemptions from newly doubled Milan tourist taxes.
Travel-policy updates: ETIAS pre-authorisation and a €20 fee came into force EU-wide on 1 January. Mobility managers must confirm that all non-EU visitors—including athletes’ entourages—complete registration before departure.
For organisations that need hands-on help navigating ETIAS, Schengen rules or Italian work permits, VisaHQ offers a dedicated portal with real-time requirements and electronic application tools tailored to Olympic-period travel. Their Italy page (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) lets contractors, media outlets and sponsors process visas and permits quickly, ensuring staff arrive with the correct documentation.
Next steps: Firms should lock in hotel allocations and secure work permits early, as Questura appointment slots in Lombardy are expected to fill once Olympic-related hiring ramps up.
