Italy is vying with France, Turkey and a joint bid by Sweden and Norway to host Euro 2016, UEFA said Tuesday.
Candidates must present their bids by February 15, 2010, the UEFA website said.
Visits and assessments will then be made and the winner announced on May 27, 2010.
Last week Italy and France ruled out a joint bid for the tournament, the first to host 24 teams instead of 16.
The Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) believes hosting the continental championships would benefit Italian soccer.
FIGC chief Giancarlo Abete said a bid could help start ''a virtuous circle that will lend confidence and investment capacity to our soccer''.
Italy was beaten by Poland and Ukraine in a bid to host Euro 2012 with the country's crowd policing and soccer violence problems cited as possible causes.
UEFA voted last year to expand Euro 2016.
