Italian court overturns ban on online tourist rental registration

The court in Italy has overturned the previous ban, ruling that the prohibition on online registration of tourists in rental apartments is illegal. This regulation was introduced by the Ministry of the Interior in November 2024. At that time, it was announced that the ban would spell the end for placing key safes on building entrance doors, opened by a code provided to tourists. However, the court found that the ban was not sufficiently justified, undermining the Ministry's arguments about the lack of control over individuals using such accommodations.

The Ministry of the Interior argued that keys should be handed over and tourists identified in person, to ensure full control over who enters the rented property. However, the court stated that these regulations do not eradicate the risk of keys ending up in the hands of individuals whose identity has not been verified.

The court's decision highlights unequal treatment compared to other forms of rental, such as car rentals.

The court also emphasised that the regulations violate competition principles by favouring hotel establishments over short-term apartment rentals. The president of the apartment owners association, Elia Rosciano, stated that safety should not be used as an excuse to hinder the sector's development.

The court's decision could significantly impact the short-term rental market in Italy, especially in popular cities such as Rome or Florence, where tourist crowds are most visible. The court's ruling may encourage a change in the approach to regulation in this sector, promoting more flexible solutions.