Who plans to stay in a seasonal rental In Italy this European summer, you'll find a set of rules that vary from city to city. Faced with a housing crisis, municipalities have adopted their own restrictions on short-term rentals, creating a mosaic of regulations for landlords and tenants.
The measures target hosts, not travelers. Still, it's worth knowing what's in place so you're not caught off guard upon arrival. The Italian government is resisting national limits, and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has described attempts to regulate the use of private property as "penalizzanti ed eccessive" (penalizing and excessive).
Check if the property is registered.
Every vacation rental in Italy must now have a national identification code, the CIN, displayed in all online listings and on the property itself. This indicates that the property is registered with the Ministry of Tourism, complies with fire safety regulations, and that the owner pays rental income tax.
It's best to avoid listings without a CIN (Certificate of No Irregularity). Irregular properties risk fines, may have safety flaws, and could be shut down by local authorities. You can check the validity of the code on the Ministry of Tourism's website.
Check-in rules
Italy requires all guests to present identification in any tourist accommodation. Following a legal dispute that ended late last year, hosts must verify the traveler's identity visually, in person, or via live video call.
In practice, don't be surprised if the host insists on greeting you at the door or asks for a brief video call before handing over the keys. The era of the code sent by text message, with the key left in a safe, has come to an end, at least in theory.
Key safes prohibited.
Some cities have banned key safes installed in public areas. Florença The Brazilian government banned the use of electronic devices on building facades starting in early 2025 and removed nearly 200 in enforcement operations. Milan adopted a similar ban, with fines ranging from 100 to 400 euros for those who install the device on publicly accessible structures.
Restrictions and tourism tax
There is no total ban on Airbnb in the country, but some municipalities have blocked new listings in certain areas. Florence has vetoed new tourist rentals in its UNESCO-protected historic center and, in April of this year, extended the ban to neighboring residential areas. Venice limits rentals to tourists to a maximum of 120 days per year.
Most cities charge a tax called "tassa di soggiorno," a few euros per person per night. Airbnb collects this amount automatically in some cities, but not always, so you may be charged cash upon arrival. Milan raised the tax to 9,50 euros per person per night in 2026 because of... Winter Olympics.
Silence
Italian cities have quiet hours. The nighttime period runs from approximately 23 PM to 7 AM, and there is also an afternoon quiet period, from approximately 13 PM to 16 PM, when noise should be kept to a minimum. The exact times vary depending on the region and the condominium rules, and your temporary neighbors will not be ashamed to remind you if they are not followed. (With information from The Local Italy)
