The Italian interior ministry has banned self-check-in for short-term holiday rentals, requiring guests to check in face-to-face with property owners or managers.
The order, signed on 18 November by state police chief Vittorio Pisani, affects all forms of tourist accommodation but targets short-term rentals like Airbnb and Booking properties.
The ban eliminates the use of key boxes and keypads, common tools for remote check-in. Property owners must now meet guests in person to verify identification documents and register their details with police within 24 hours of arrival.
Safety and Anti-Terrorism Concerns
The ministry introduced the measure to address security risks, citing the “delicate” international climate and the need for heightened vigilance ahead of major events like Rome’s Jubilee Year 2025. The ministry stated remote check-ins could allow individuals to use properties whilst their identities remain unknown. This, thereby, posing potential risks to public safety.
Tourism minister Daniela Santanché welcomed the move as an “essential step” to ensure a safe and positive experience for visitors, emphasising cooperation between ministries to create a secure environment for significant upcoming events.
Support from Local Leaders
Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri praised the ban, saying it would enhance security while addressing the aesthetic impact of key boxes and padlocks, which he called a “disfigurement” of historic streets. He also pledged to take further steps to remove such devices from public areas.
Overtourism and Housing Concerns
The crackdown comes as Italy grapples with the challenges of overtourism, particularly in cities like Rome, Florence and Venice. The surge in demand for short-term rentals has driven landlords to prioritise tourist accommodations, often at the expense of local residents.
Cities have already seen protests against the proliferation of rental properties, with some residents sabotaging key boxes in opposition to rising housing costs and neighbourhood disruption. At the G7 Tourism Summit in Florence last month, a flash mob protested about overtourism. The same day, the mayor of Florence unveiled a 10-point plan to tackle overtourism. Among the new regulations is a ban on key safes.
Read: Florence announce ten-point plan to tackle overtourism
What Travellers Need to Know
The ban, effective immediately, requires rental owners to personally meet guests during check-in. Remote entry methods, including key codes and automated systems, are no longer permitted.
Travellers should be prepared to provide identification documents in person upon arrival. Property managers must register these details with the police.
The move marks a significant shift in Italy’s approach to managing short-term rentals, aligning with efforts to improve security and address the broader social impacts of overtourism.
