A reform has been announced that will revolutionize the tourist tax for tourists and accommodation facilities in Italy, with the aim of standardizing the rules throughout the national territory. The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè, the Deputy Minister for Economy Maurizio Leo and the ANCI
President Roberto Pella.
In this article we explain what the reform envisages, what changes it will introduce and what are the main changes expected in 2025.
What does the tourist tax reform provide
The tourist tax reform aims to simplify the management of the tax for municipalities and to reduce bureaucratic burdens for hoteliers, promoting greater equity among tourists. Among the main changes are
:
• New price ranges: the tax will be proportional to the cost of the accommodation, making the system fairer and more balanced.
• Exemptions: Exemptions will be introduced for specific categories of people, such as minors and people with disabilities.
• Reduction of hoteliers’ liability: less administrative burden for tour operators, simplifying the collection process.
• Destination of the proceeds: the funds raised will be used to improve tourism, urban decoration and security in tourist areas.
• Voluntary adoption by municipalities: municipalities will have the opportunity to decide whether to apply the tax. If adopted, it will be mandatory for all tourists who stay overnight in accommodation facilities such as hotels, bed & breakfasts
and holiday homes.
What changes for tourists and hoteliers
With the introduction of the reform, several rules will change for both tourists and hoteliers:
• Equity in taxation: tourists will pay a tax proportionate to the chosen structure, making taxation lighter for those staying in affordable accommodations.
• Exemptions: categories such as minors, people with disabilities and health carers will be exempt from the tourist tax, standardizing the legislation throughout the national territory.
• Improvements in services: the funds raised will be used to improve tourist infrastructure, urban decoration and security of the areas most visited by tourists.
• Increased competitiveness: simplifying tax collection will reduce the red tape for hoteliers, allowing them to focus on the quality of the service.
When will the reform take effect
The reform of the tourist tax is scheduled for 2025, but it will come into force only if the text receives final approval by the end of 2024. Negotiations and work for its definition have been ongoing since September 12, 2024 and involve the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Economy and ANCI
.
Other updates and benefits
In addition to the reform of the tourist tax, FRI-TUR 2024 is active, a call for SMEs in the tourism sector to support investments and improve accommodation activities. There are also other concessions for the sector, such as the Tourism Business Sustainability Fund 2024, which offers non-repayable contributions for ecotourism projects
.
The reform of the tourist tax represents a significant step towards a fairer and more simplified management of tourist taxes, with benefits for both travelers and operators in the sector.
