South Tyrol is the German-speaking province in the very north of Italy. That makes it a slightly unusual place to get married: Italian law, Italian paperwork, but registry offices where you can often get through the whole thing in German. For couples from the UK, the US or anywhere else, the steps are manageable. They just take time, so start early.
One honest note before we start: I am a photographer, not a lawyer. What follows is the general process. The final word always belongs to the municipality and your home authorities.
Civil or symbolic?
Many foreign couples take the easy route: they sign the legal papers at home and celebrate with a symbolic ceremony in South Tyrol. No documents, no interpreter, and you can hold it on a meadow, a terrace or in a vineyard. If being legally married in Italy matters to you, here is how it works.
The steps for a civil wedding
- Pick the municipalityYou marry in a specific comune. Ask them early about dates, venues and whether they accept non-residents.
- Find out what your country needsUsually passports, birth certificates and a certificate of no impediment. The rules depend on your nationality.
- Translations and apostillesForeign documents often need an apostille and a translation. Some countries offer multilingual certificates that save this step.
- Send everything inThe municipality checks your papers before the wedding. Some want them weeks in advance.
- Witnesses and interpreterTwo adults with ID, plus an interpreter if you don't speak Italian or German.
- After the weddingAsk for an international marriage certificate and register the marriage at home if your country requires it.
Local restrictions
Some South Tyrolean towns have become so popular that they now limit weddings for non-residents. According to a survey reported in July 2026, these were some of the rules:
| Municipality | Rule (as of July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Völs am Schlern / Fiè allo Sciliar | Only five international weddings per year |
| Lana | Weddings for local residents only |
| Eppan / Appiano | Double fee for non-residents |
| Nals / Nalles | Weddings only on Thursday afternoons |
| Kaltern / Caldaro | Saturdays reserved for locals |
Rules like these change. Always ask the municipality directly before you book a venue.
Checklist
- EarlyContact the municipality and ask about non-resident weddings
- EarlyAsk your home registry office or embassy which documents you need
- 3 monthsOrder birth certificates, apostilles and translations
- BeforeBook witnesses and, if needed, an interpreter
- AfterInternational marriage certificate, registration at home
The couples who are most relaxed on the day are the ones who sorted the paperwork months before. Then the only thing left to think about is each other.
Gabriel Höllrigl, wedding photographer in South TyrolIf you would rather skip the bureaucracy and just get married in the mountains, read How to elope in the Dolomites. For photos, places and how I work, see Dolomites weddings.
FAQ
Can foreigners get legally married in South Tyrol?
Yes. Foreign couples can marry at the registry office of an Italian municipality. You need valid passports, the documents your country requires to prove you are free to marry, two adult witnesses and an interpreter if you do not speak Italian or German.
What is a certificate of no impediment?
A document from your home country confirming that nothing stops you from getting married. Its name and how you get it depend on your nationality. Some countries issue it at home, others through their embassy or consulate in Italy.
Do we need an interpreter?
If neither of you speaks Italian or German well, yes. German is an official language in South Tyrol, so German speakers can usually get married in German. Ask the municipality early whether they want a sworn interpreter.
Can we get married anywhere we like?
A civil wedding takes place in the town hall or another venue the municipality has approved, such as some castles or hotels. A symbolic ceremony can happen almost anywhere you are allowed to be.
Is our Italian marriage recognised at home?
In most countries, yes. You usually need an international marriage certificate from the Italian municipality and sometimes an apostille or registration at home. Check with your home registry office before the wedding.