Italy tightens rental booking rules for tourists

Rome: The Italian government has banned the practice of key boxes in holiday rental accommodation, which means that guests now have to meet in person to book an apartment during their stay. Banning the “self-checking system” is expected to address public order and safety risks.

This measure originates from the key lock boxes protest that residents of Rome, Milan and Florence initiated earlier this year, which was prompted by a rising housing price prompted by this phenomenon, Schengen.News reports.

Guests now have to meet up with individuals who rent their houses or apartments and also will have to present the necessary documents. Within 24 hours of check-in, renters will have to send the required information about guests to the police authorities.

The Italian Interior minister has pointed out that this measure is expected to help with national security, which has been an increasingly difficult task in the last two years in light of ongoing wars, conflicts and terrorist attacks.

The automated management of check-in and entry to a property without visual identification of guests” means there is a risk it “could be occupied by one or more individuals whose identities remain unknown to the relevant police authorities posing a potential danger to the community.

The authorities also noted that the ban follows the popularity of the “phenomenon of short-term rentals”, prompted by political, religious and cultural events in the country.

The measure was signed on November 18 and entered into force at the same time concerning tourist accommodation such as Booking and Airbnb apartments and houses.

Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, with tourist numbers in 2023 reaching 134 million, which is a record high for the year.

In the last two years, European countries have increasingly dealt with threats to their national security, recording terrorist attacks or attempts on a frequent basis.

This situation has led to internal border checks between countries being raised and several stringent measures being introduced. Moreover, countries have been particularly more careful when it comes to Russian nationals, with the EU authorities pushing for tighter security.

Recently, EU Chief for Migration and Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has called on EU countries to “toughen up” their rules as this is no time to be “soft”.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, the number of terrorist incidents reached 3,350 in 2024, with 50 countries reporting them.