The short answer
Check whether your address is on the council's list of 67 streets. If it is, ask the hotel — before you book — whether they will register your plate. You cannot do it yourself: the online system accepts no identification other than SPID or CIE. And do not count on fixing it on arrival: even the one-off permit needs two working days' notice.
The zone
The ZTL itself — the walled town
The council states the restriction applies throughout the year, and resident permits are issued on a 24-hour basis — so an unauthorised car has no open window to slip through. It covers the Città Murata plus piazza Roma, piazza Verdi and the piazza Volta area.
Pedestrian areas INSIDE the ZTL
A ZTL permit does not admit you here. APU Volta covers piazza Volta, piazza Cavour, piazza Grimoldi, via Pretorio, piazza Verdi, via Maestri Comacini, via Vittorio Emanuele II, via Porta, via Cinque Giornate and via Bellini. APU Duomo covers via Plinio, piazza Duomo and via Vittorio Emanuele II — in other words most of what you came to see.
Entry gates
via Cinque Giornate · via Diaz · via Carducci · via Indipendenza · via Rodari · via Grassi · via Cairoli.
Exit gates
via dell'Annunciata · via Indipendenza · via Rodari · via Cairoli · via Garibaldi. Like Lucca, the system knows how long a car stayed inside, not merely that it entered.
Is your address inside?
The council publishes the full list — 67 streets and squares. These are the ones a visitor is most likely to be staying on or near:
- piazza Cavour
- piazza Volta
- piazza Duomo
- via Vittorio Emanuele
- via Volta
- piazza San Fedele
- piazza Verdi
- via Garibaldi
- via Diaz
- viale Battisti
- via Cairoli
- via Carducci
- via Indipendenza
- via Rodari
- via Grassi
- piazza Mazzini
- piazza Roma
- via Bianchi Giovini
- via Muralto
- via Giovio
- via Rovelli
- via Natta
- via Odescalchi
- via Cesare Cantù
- via Cinque Giornate
- via Porta
- via Pretorio
- via Bellini
- via Juvara
- piazza Perretta
- piazza Grimoldi
- via Maestri Cumacini
The complete list is published as a PDF on comune.como.it. If your hotel address appears on it, you cannot drive to the door without a permit.
Why you cannot apply yourself
This is the part that catches every foreign visitor, and it has nothing to do with cost or eligibility. Applications are accepted online only, and the only accepted identification is SPID or CIE — the Italian digital identity and the Italian electronic ID card. There is no counter, no paper form, no exception for visitors.
So the only route is the accommodation. The council's list of permit categories includes ‘clienti strutture alberghiere’ — hotel guests — so a property inside the zone can apply on your behalf. Ask when you book whether they will actually do it, and do not settle for a vague answer. A hotel that says “just drive in” is guessing.
- Cost: a €16 duty stamp paid digitally during the application, plus handling fees of €5 to €20 depending on the category. Free for holders of a disability badge.
- One-off access: maximum two consecutive days, and the request must be filed at least two working days in advance. Nothing can be arranged on arrival or at a weekend.
- Tourist coaches have their own separate authorisation to set down and pick up hotel guests inside the zone.
Three more things that catch people out
- A ZTL permit is not a pass to piazza Duomo. The four pedestrian areas inside the zone — APU Volta, APU Duomo, Perretta and Juvara — need their own authorisation, and between them they cover piazza Duomo, piazza Cavour, piazza Verdi and the lakefront. That is most of what you came for.
- Como reads plates on the way out. Seven entry gates, five exit gates. As in Lucca, the system knows how long you stayed, not just that you arrived.
- Over 3.5 tonnes needs separate clearance from the council's technical office, on top of any ZTL permit. With a camper van, park outside the walled town and walk in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for a Como ZTL permit myself?
No, and this is the single most important thing for a foreign visitor. Permit applications are accepted ONLINE ONLY, and the only accepted identification is SPID or CIE — the Italian digital identity and the Italian electronic ID card. There is no counter, no paper form and no exception. An American, a Briton or any other non-resident physically cannot apply. Everything has to go through the accommodation.
So how do I get in if my hotel is inside the zone?
The council's list of permit categories includes 'clienti strutture alberghiere' — hotel guests — so a property inside the ZTL can apply on your behalf. Ask when you book whether they will actually do it, and do not settle for a vague answer: a hotel that says 'just drive in' is guessing. Sort it before you travel, not on the day.
How do I know whether my hotel is inside the ZTL?
The council publishes the full list — 67 streets and squares — as a PDF. If your address appears on it, you cannot drive to the door without a permit. The streets a visitor is most likely to be staying on include piazza Cavour and piazza Volta on the lakefront, piazza Duomo, via Vittorio Emanuele, piazza San Fedele, piazza Verdi by the Teatro Sociale, via Garibaldi, via Diaz and viale Battisti.
I only need to get in once. Is there a short-term permit?
There is a category for non-recurring needs, but it comes with two conditions that rule out most visitors: it lasts a MAXIMUM OF TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS, and the request must be filed AT LEAST TWO WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE. Nothing can be arranged on arrival, and nothing can be arranged at a weekend.
What does a permit cost?
A €16 duty stamp, paid digitally during the application, plus handling fees of €5 to €20 depending on the category. It is free for holders of a disability badge. The cost is not the obstacle in Como — the identification requirement is.
Does a ZTL permit let me into piazza Duomo?
No. The pedestrian areas inside the ZTL are separate and stricter: APU Alessandro Volta and APU Duomo need their own authorisation. Between them they cover piazza Duomo, piazza Cavour, piazza Verdi and the lakefront squares — which is most of the historic centre a visitor wants to reach.
Is it true that Como reads plates on the way out?
Yes. Seven entry gates are matched by five exit gates — via dell'Annunciata, via Indipendenza, via Rodari, via Cairoli and via Garibaldi. As in Lucca, the system records how long the vehicle stayed inside, not simply that it entered.
I have a large camper van. Anything else to know?
Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes need clearance from the council's technical office on top of any ZTL permit. Given everything else on this page, the sensible plan with a camper is to park outside the walled town entirely and walk in.
Is your hotel on the list of 67 streets?
Tell Pronto the address and your dates — it reads this same verified data and answers in seconds, free during beta. And in Como, where you cannot apply yourself and nothing can be fixed on arrival, we will make the call to the council or the property for you. That is exactly the gap this city leaves.
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Sources: Comune di Como, Polizia Locale — ZTL access page updated 25 July 2025, Ordinance 11/2017, and the permit-hours table issued by the Ufficio Telecamere. Permits are handled online at pass.brav.it; Polizia Locale +39 031 252700. Rules are set by ordinance and change without notice; this page carries the date it was last checked and is reviewed monthly.