It’s official! Starting from August 2019, with the 2019 Growth Decree, all Italian accommodation facilities are required to have an identification code to help detect tax evaders, regulate the short-term rental sector, and monitor the collection of tourist taxes.

In practice, if you want to rent your property for short stays or medium-length stays, you must publish a unique alphanumeric code in your online listing. Failure to comply can result in fines ranging from €500 to €5,000.

CIA and CIR: Similarities and Differences

In fact, a similar measure to combat tax evasion and reduce unfair competition was already implemented in November 2018. This measure introduced the so-called CIR (Recognition Identification Code), an alphanumeric code that identifies holiday homes intended for the rental sector within a specific region.
For example, in Lombardy, online portals and property owners who fail to include the CIR in listings advertising houses, villas, and apartments can face fines ranging from €50 to €2,500—slightly lower than those for the CIA but still significant!
Note that “listing” refers to both written (or printed) advertisements and online ones, meaning websites that provide users with advertising spaces to promote properties must also include the code.

Unlike the CIA, which refers to the Italian Revenue Agency, the CIR serves to inform the relevant Municipality about the rental activity. Furthermore, the code allows the registration of CAVs—houses and apartments for vacation rentals intended for short and medium-term stays.

If you haven’t added this code to your official website yet, contact your webmaster immediately. If you don’t know how to do it, contact us and we will do it for you.