Italy’s Interior Ministry is preparing to appeal a recent court ruling that struck down a directive requiring in-person check-in for short-term rental guests. The ministry has announced it will take the case to the Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court.
Earlier this month, the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio annulled a circular issued in November 2023 by the ministry, which had imposed mandatory face-to-face identification for all guests staying in short-term rentals, even when digital or automated systems were in place. The court ruled that the ministry had overstepped its authority, as the regulation introduced obligations not explicitly foreseen by law.
The ruling was seen as a victory for property owners and rental platforms, especially in tourist-heavy cities such as Florence, where self check-in has become a standard feature in managing apartments for vacation use.
The Interior Ministry argues that the in-person requirement was introduced for public safety reasons, particularly to prevent illegal rentals and to better track the identity of temporary visitors. Critics, however, maintain that the measure created unnecessary burdens for hosts and contradicted the increasing use of digital systems in the hospitality sector.
If the Council of State overturns the TAR ruling, the in-person check-in mandate could be reinstated. For now, automated and remote check-in systems remain legally valid across Italy, unless further restrictions are introduced through formal legislation.
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