Residenza and ospitalità: registered residence and hosting guests

Residenza (registered residence)
Residenza in Italy is a person’s official place of residence, where they normally live. Registering your residenza is an important step, as it affects access to various services and rights, such as voting, health care and education.

How to register your residenza

• A passport or other identity document.
• Proof of your address (rental contract, utility bill, etc.).
• Your codice fiscale (tax code).

The Comune’s response: after you apply, the Comune (municipality) may send someone to check the address to confirm that you live there.

Getting the certificate: once registration is complete, you will receive a certificato di residenza (certificate of residence), which you may need for other administrative procedures.

Once your residenza is registered, you can apply for a carta d’identità (identity card).

Ospitalità (hosting guests)
In Italy, if you have guests staying with you, you must notify the local police (Questura) or the municipal authorities of their stay if they remain for more than one night.

Deadline for notification

• You must report your guests within 24 hours of their arrival.

What you need to do

1. Fill in the form: complete a form with your guests’ personal details (first name, surname, date of birth, passport details, home address).
2. Submit the information: this information must be submitted to the local Questura or to the Comune.

Points to remember

• This rule applies to anyone staying at your home for more than one night.
• Failure to comply may result in administrative fines.

Exceptions

• If your guests stay for less than one night, notification is not compulsory.

Hospitality in Italy also covers accommodation services for visitors, such as hotels, holiday apartments, agriturismi (farm stays) and other types of lodging. Italy is famous for its culture of hospitality, and many businesses strive to make tourists comfortable and their stay enjoyable.

Types of accommodation

1. Hotels: a range of categories, from budget to luxury, offering different amenities and services.
2. Holiday apartments: flats or houses that can be rented for short periods, ideal for families or groups of friends.
3. Agriturismi: working farms in the countryside where you can relax and enjoy nature, often offering home cooking and local produce.
4. Bed & Breakfast: private homes offering accommodation with breakfast.

Registering at accommodation facilities

• When you check in at a hotel or other accommodation, you may be asked to show an identity document and fill in a registration form.
• Accommodation providers are required to notify the local authorities of their guests’ stay and to collect information for statistical reports.