January marks the beginning of several changes in Italy. From the first day of the year, laws come into effect, tax adjustments are made, winter sales begin, and traditional events take place in various regions of the country.
New Year's Holiday
New Year's Day, celebrated on January 1st, is a national holiday. In 2026, the date falls on a Thursday. Many Italians are expected to extend the break until Sunday, creating a four-day long weekend.
2026 Budget Law
The measures in the new budget law will come into effect on January 1st. The text has undergone several revisions since October and may still be modified before final approval. The changes directly affect residents, including tax rules and benefits.
Italians living abroad were also affected. Read more here: Italian citizenship: extended deadline excludes minors born before the new rule.
Increase in tourism tax in Milan
Starting in January, Milan will adjust its tourism tax for just one year, during the Winter Olympic Games.
The values will be:
- 4 and 5 star hotels: €10 per person/day (previously €7)
- Vacation rentals (like Airbnb): €9,50
- 3-star hotels: €7,40
- 2-star hotels: €5
- 1-star hotels: €4
The measure applies to accommodations within a 30 km radius of the Olympic venues, affecting areas of Lombardy and Veneto.
Start of winter sales
The traditional winter sales, or winter balmThey begin on Saturday, January 3rd, in most of the country.
In Valle d'Aosta, the start will be brought forward to January 2nd. Cities in the autonomous provinces of Bolzano and Trento set their own schedules. In Bolzano, the promotions begin on January 8th.
Epiphany Holiday
Epiphany DayJanuary 6th will be a Tuesday. Many are expected to extend their holiday with a bridge, continuing with Monday.
The date marks the end of the holiday season and is celebrated with the figure of Befana, a folkloric character who gives sweets or coal to children, depending on their behavior.
Discover all the holidays in Italy in 2026: Public holidays in Italy in 2026: see dates, traditions and how to enjoy them.
Back to school
With the holidays over, classes resume on January 7th in most of the country. In Sicily, they will restart a day later, on January 8th.
The next school holidays will only take place at Easter, starting on April 2nd.
New air routes from Sicily
Ryanair will open a new base at Trapani Airport in Sicily. Starting in January, 11 new routes will be launched with direct flights to:
- Bournemouth
- London
- Bruxelas
- Stockholm
- Saarbrücken
- Baden-Baden
- Bratislava
- Katowice
- Bari
- Pescara
- Verona
Deadline for exemption from TV tax.
Those who do not own a television must fill out the exemption form. canon The fee is automatically charged on your electricity bill between January and October, until January 31st.
Beginning of the Venice Carnival
The traditional Venice Carnival begins on January 31st and runs until February 17th.
The theme for 2026 will be "Olympus – the origins of play," in reference to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.
The event begins with the selection of the "Twelve Marys," local young women who participate in a parade through the city in Renaissance costumes.
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