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In 30 seconds
- You cannot put a home on the tourist market without first registering, filing the required notices and having the required codes.
- Vacation home, B&B and agriturismo are different activities, with different rules.
- Anyone who is not compliant can face heavy penalties.
Vacation home, B&B, agriturismo
These are different activities. In a vacation home you rent the entire property. In a B&B the guest is welcomed into a home where, as a rule, the operator also lives. An agriturismo (farm stay) is tied to a farm, which must remain the main activity. The requirements and forms are set by the Puglia Region: check them on its website before you begin.
Codes and notices
For tourist rentals there are codes that you must obtain and display, at the national level and sometimes at the regional level as well. Who must have them and how to get them is indicated by the Italian Ministry of Tourism and the Puglia Region: check their websites. Before starting, a notice is usually filed with the municipality’s one-stop shop: ask the municipality for the forms. Those who host foreign guests must also report the guests’ details to the public safety authorities: ask the police headquarters (Questura) how and when.
Tourist tax
Many Puglian municipalities apply a tourist tax, set by each municipality. Rates and rules vary from place to place: read the regulation of the municipality where the property is located.
Systems, insurance and condominium
Check that the systems, the habitability certificate and the permitted use allow tourist use. In a condominium, the building rules may prohibit this activity: read them before you invest. Verify the real capacity of the rooms. An insurance policy for damage to guests is advisable, as is a written contract with whoever handles cleaning, keys and guest welcome on your behalf.
Living alongside neighbors and guests
In Puglia many properties are in isolated countryside areas or in tight historic centers. Noise, parking and use of shared courtyards can cause disputes. Write clear, short rules for guests, in Italian and in their language. Set quiet hours and give a contact for problems. Check with the municipality and the Region the rules on safety, fire prevention and waste for your type of property.
Income taxes
Income from short-term rentals may be subject to a special tax regime, which depends on each person’s circumstances. We give only general information here: for taxes, contact the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) or a licensed professional.
Typical case
A problem that comes up often. Typical case described in general terms: names, places and details do not refer to real people or cases.
A foreign couple buys a masseria and lists it on a booking portal as a B&B, with no notice to the municipality and no codes. After the first summer they receive an inspection and discover that the property was also not approved for tourist use.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent only a few weeks a year?
The rules may vary depending on the length and the form of the activity. Check the Puglia Region and municipality websites.
Do I need a company?
It depends on the project. It can be discussed at a consultation.
What to bring to the consultation
- title deed and floor plan
- permits and habitability certificate
- any condominium rules
- published listings and contracts with the portals
- business plan (periods, number of guests)
Official websites
- Puglia Region: www.regione.puglia.it
- Italian Ministry of Tourism: www.ministeroturismo.gov.it
- Agenzia delle Entrate: www.agenziaentrate.gov.it
Learn more: Legal guides from Studio Legale Fiorentino.
Want to understand your case?
The firm sees clients by appointment in Naples (P.zza Giovanni Bovio 22 and Via Monte di Dio 14), Rome and Bari, and remotely throughout Italy.
Author: avv. Renato Giuseppe Fiorentino, Naples Bar. General information only; it does not replace advice on your case. For up-to-date details, check the official websites listed in the text.
Original in Italian: https://www.studiolegalefiorentino.net/puglia-affitti-turistici-bb-agriturismo-regole/
It is not legal advice. The firm does not handle the law or taxes of other countries.
Do you have a similar issue?
Every situation depends on the documents of the specific case. You can contact the firm from anywhere, remotely.