Frequently Asked Question #61:

Q: What regulations apply to running a Bed and Breakfast in Italy?

A: The regulations vary slightly from region to region, but the national Reform of National Tourism law #135 of 29 March 2001 applies all over Italy. The key elements of this law are as follows:

• You must live in the house in which you operate the B&B.
• The B&B must have maximum 3 double guest rooms, sleeping a maximum of 6 guests. They must be furnished with at least beds, closets, bedside tables, lamps, chairs and waste bins.
• Double rooms must have a floor area of at least 14m², and single rooms at least 8m².
• Electrical, gas and heating appliances in every room must conform with safety regulations, and standard practice should be followed with respect to both hygiene and construction.

The Italian state recognises that running a B&B is an occasional or seasonal activity. If a B&B is closed for at least 90 days a year - they don't need to be consecutive days - it is not necessary to register the business for IVA (Italian Value Added Tax) or issue receipts for payments received.

It's easy to open a B&B in Italy: you just inform the Tourist Office of your comune (parish) that you are open for business, telling them the prices you intend to charge. A notice stating the price, and bearing the stamp of the comune, should then be displayed behind the door of each guest room - although in practice many B&Bs don't do this.

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