The introduction of the new regulation on short-term rentals marks a crucial turning point in the Italian tourism sector. It is not just a set of rules, but a profound change that aims to bring greater order and transparency to a rapidly expanding market.
The Minister of Tourism, Daniela Santanchè, defined this reform as “epochal“, and not by chance: the objectives are ambitious, including the fight against tax evasion and the emergence of the underground economy, but also the improvement of the quality of services offered to tourists.
By introducing a national identification system for accommodation facilities, this regulation will change the way operators in the sector work and interact with their customers.
How will these new rules affect those who rent their property for short periods? And what will owners have to do to comply?
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The National Database of Accommodation Facilities
The new regulation has introduced the National Database of Accommodation Facilities (Bdsr) and properties intended for short-term or tourist rental, as established by article 13-quater, paragraph 4 of Legislative Decree 34/2019, converted by law 58/2019.
This tool, activated through a public notice from the Ministry of Tourism, is designed to provide greater transparency to the sector, encouraging the emergence of irregular activities and reducing tax evasion. Every owner who intends to rent out their property for short periods must register their property in this database and obtain the National Identification Code (Cheers).
The obligation to register and display the CIN concerns all structures, without exceptions, with the exception of religious houses that operate on a non-profit basis.
Registration takes place through the BDSR telematic portal, where it is possible to request the Cin and obtain the certification necessary to start or continue the short-term rental activity. This new system not only simplifies bureaucratic procedures, but also makes it easier for the authorities to monitor and control the sector.
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Registration procedure and obligations for owners
To access the National Database and obtain the National Identification Code (Cin), owners must follow a specific online procedure. Access to the portal is only possible via digital identity (SPID or CIE), a further step towards digitalization and bureaucratic simplification. Once logged in, the owner must submit an application indicating the cadastral data of the property or accommodation facility.
In regions where a local identification code already existed, this must be reported during the procedure to allow the issuance of the new Cin. Once the procedure is completed, the system issues the electronic certification that attests to the regular obtaining of the Cin. This certification is essential to be able to continue operating in the short-term rental sector.
It is important to emphasize that the owners have 60 days to get the Cin; otherwise, they risk fines of up to 8,000 euros.
The obligation to display the Cin is generalized: it must be visible inside the apartment, outside the building and on all tourism promotion portals, such as Airbnb and Booking. This requirement leaves no room for exceptions, except for free religious structures.
The goal is clear: to ensure transparency and legality in a sector where, until now, the rules have not always been respected.
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Safety requirements for real estate units intended for short-term rentals
Another fundamental aspect of the new regulation concerns the requirements of safety for real estate units intended for short-term rentals. Each property, whether or not managed as a business, must be equipped with devices for the detection of combustible gases and carbon monoxide, as well as portable fire extinguishers compliant with current legislation.
These devices must be functional and placed in strategic positions to ensure maximum safety for both guests and owners.
In the case of business management, real estate units must also comply with the safety requirements of the systems established by state and regional regulations. Portable fire extinguishers must be positioned in an accessible and visible manner, especially near entrances and in areas of greater risk, such as kitchens.
The law requires that there be at least one fire extinguisher for every 200 square meters of surfaceor fraction thereof, and in any case at least one per floor. Fire extinguishers must guarantee a minimum extinguishing capacity of 13A and a charge of at least 6 kg or 6 liters, as specified in the decree of the Minister of the Interior of 3 September 2021.
It is mandatory to carry out periodic checks on fire extinguishers, following the indications of the technical standard UNI 9994-1 and the guidelines provided by the manufacturer’s use and maintenance manual.
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Role of OTAs and adaptation to the new regulatory framework
In an increasingly large and diversified tourism market, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) such as Airbnb and Booking play a crucial role. With the introduction of the new regulation, these platforms are rapidly adapting, aligning themselves with the new requirements imposed by the Ministry of Tourism.
Minister Santanchè confirmed that OTAs will no longer allow the publication of advertisements for properties without the National Identification Code (Cin), a step that marks an important paradigm shift in the sector.
This move not only facilitates the verification of the legality and compliance of the structures, but also raises the quality standards of the market. OTAs, therefore, become fundamental partners in the application of the regulation, ensuring that only regularly registered and compliant structures can access their vast audience of users.
For property owners, this means that complying with the new rules is not just a matter of legal compliance, but also a necessity to maintain visibility on the main online booking channels. Those who do not comply risk being excluded from the most important booking circuits, with a direct impact on their business.
