Abstract Objective To determine seroprevalence of small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infections among goats in South Tyrol, Italy. Design Prospective serological study. Material and methods-animals 15,980 goats older than 6 months from 1973 goat herds in South Tyrol were tested by an ELISA for the presence of SRLV antibodies. 3148 goats were 6–14 months old (AG 1), 3273 goats were 15 to 26 months old (AG 2) and 9559 goats were older than 26 months (AG 3). Results Serological examination revealed that seroprevalence of SRLV among goats was 23.6% and herd prevalence was 38.0%. Seroprevalence was significantly higher ( P P P Conclusions and clinical relevance SRLV infections among goats in South Tyrol, Italy, are evident. Birth indoors with its consequences (close contact, kids suckling by diverse dams or by milk pool) is also a risk factor for SRLV infections in South Tyrol. In future more clinical outbreaks may occur, and therefore establishing measures to prevent the spreading of the disease is necessary. Installing a control or eradication programme seroprevalence and genetic and economic aspects must be considered.