Skip to content The declaration of hospitality is the mandatory written communication that anyone who hosts — for any reason — a non-EU citizen or stateless person in Italy must submit to the Public Security Authorities. It is governed by art. 7 of Legislative Decree 25 July 1998, no. 286, the Consolidated Immigration Act, and applies to private citizens, accommodation facilities, employers and property owners.
In this updated guide, you will find everything you need to know: who is obliged, within what time it must be submitted, where and how to deliver it, which documents to attach, and the sanctions — particularly severe — in case of omission.
What is the declaration of hospitality
The declaration of hospitality is a written notification that the declarant, Italian or foreign, must submit to the Local Public Security Authorities when:
- Provides accommodation or hosts a non-EU citizen or stateless person, even if a relative or in-law
- Transfers ownership or enjoyment of a property, urban or rural, located in Italy, to a non-EU citizen
Regulatory reference: Art. 7 of Legislative Decree 286/1998 — Consolidated Immigration Act.
The obligation exists for public security purposes: it allows the authorities to know where foreign citizens present on national territory are located.
Who is obliged to submit the declaration of hospitality
The regulation uses a broad wording: “anyone who, for any reason, provides accommodation or hosts”. The obligation therefore does not concern only the property owner, but anyone who actually makes the accommodation available.
Obliged subjects
| Subject | Obligation |
|---|---|
| Property owner who hosts or grants use | Yes |
| Tenant or borrower who in turn hosts | Yes |
| Private citizen who hosts a non-EU relative, friend or acquaintance | Yes |
| Employer who provides accommodation to the non-EU worker | Yes |
| Accommodation facilities, hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes, guesthouses | Yes, with a different procedure |
When it is NOT mandatory
The declaration of hospitality is not required if hosting:
- Italian citizen or citizen of another EU State
- Citizen of the European Economic Area, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland
Submission deadlines: 48 hours for private individuals or 24 hours for accommodation facilities
| Subject | Time to submit the declaration |
|---|---|
| Private citizens | Within 48 hours from the moment the foreigner takes possession of the accommodation |
| Accommodation facilities, hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, holiday homes | Within 24 hours from the guest’s arrival |
Important: the deadline starts from the actual availability of the property by the foreigner, regardless of the date of signing of the contract or the duration of the stay.
Accommodation facilities: the Alloggiati Web system
Managers of hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes, guesthouses, including non-professional ones, and all accommodation facilities must communicate guests’ personal details within 24 hours of arrival through the Alloggiati Web Service of the State Police. For stays of less than 24 hours, the communication must be made at the very moment of arrival.
Access credentials to the Alloggiati Web portal must be requested directly from the local Police Headquarters. The online system replaces the paper submission of the declaration and simplifies compliance for tourism operators.
Where to submit the declaration of hospitality
The competent authority depends on the place where the property is located:
| Place of the property | Competent authority |
|---|---|
| Provincial capital Municipality | Police Headquarters, Immigration Office |
| Municipality with a Public Security Commissariat | Public Security Commissariat |
| Municipality without a Commissariat | Municipality, Mayor’s Office as Local Public Security Authority |
Delivery methods
Depending on the competent office, the declaration may be submitted:
- In person at the counter of the Immigration Office, in line with other users
- By registered letter with return receipt to the address of the Police Headquarters or Commissariat
- By PEC, certified email, to the dedicated address of the competent office
- Through an online portal, where activated
Always check the specific methods accepted by the local Police Headquarters or Commissariat, because they may vary by province.
Documents to attach to the declaration of hospitality
To complete the procedure, it is necessary to submit:
- Completed declaration form, in original or in triplicate with original signature, depending on the Police Headquarters
- Copy of the declarant’s identity document, identity card, passport or residence permit, valid
Copy of the guest’s identity document:
- For foreigners already in Italy: copy of the valid residence permit
- For foreigners arriving from abroad: copy of the passport pages with personal data + entry visa, if required, or border stamp, if visa-exempt
- Copy of the title of enjoyment of the property, deed of ownership, lease agreement, loan-for-use agreement
Standard form
The standard declaration of hospitality form can be downloaded from the websites of the individual Police Headquarters, “Forms” section. There is a general uniform form, but some Police Headquarters adopt their own local form: always check which one is required by the territorially competent office.
How to fill in the declaration of hospitality: step by step
Step 1 — Download the correct form
Access the website of the competent Police Headquarters, or Commissariat/Municipality, and download the updated form. Pre-filled or expired forms may result in rejection of the declaration.
Step 2 — Fill in the required data
The form requires:
- Declarant’s data, name, surname, date and place of birth, residence, tax code, identity document
- Guest’s data, name, surname, nationality, date and place of birth, passport/residence permit details
- Address of the property where hospitality is provided
- Title of enjoyment of the property, ownership, lease, loan for use
- Start date of hospitality
Step 3 — Attach the documents
Include all copies of the required documents, see previous section. Copies must be legible and valid.
Step 4 — Sign and submit
Sign the form in original and deliver it to the competent authority according to the accepted methods, counter, registered letter with return receipt, PEC, online portal.
Step 5 — Keep the receipt
Keep the signed and stamped copy, or the registered letter/PEC receipt, as proof that the communication has been made. It is an essential document in case of checks.
Declaration of hospitality and building transfer notice: what changes?
The declaration of hospitality, art. 7 TUI, and the building transfer notice, art. 12 Law Decree 59/1978, are two obligations often confused but legally distinct.
| Aspect | Declaration of hospitality | Building transfer notice |
|---|---|---|
| Hosted subject | Only non-EU citizens or stateless persons | Also Italian citizens |
| Regulatory reference | Art. 7 Legislative Decree 286/1998 | Art. 12 Law Decree 59/1978 |
| When it is submitted | Within 48 hours | Within 48 hours |
| When it applies | Hospitality for any reason, including free of charge | Transfer/use not subject to registration |
| Replaced by | — | Registration of the lease agreement with the Revenue Agency |
In practice, the building transfer notice is “absorbed” by the registration of the lease agreement. It survives as an obligation only for unregistered contracts, for example free loan for use, informal hospitality.
Sanctions for omitted, late or incomplete declaration of hospitality
The sanctions provided for by art. 7, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree 286/1998 are significant and apply in case of:
Failure to declare
Late declaration, beyond 48 or 24 hours
Incomplete or false declaration
Amount of the sanction
| Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Administrative monetary sanction | from €500 to €3,500 |
Important: sanctions apply for each single missed communication — hosting several people without communicating any of them entails cumulative sanctions.
Further implications
In addition to the monetary sanction, the omitted declaration may have repercussions in case of checks or proceedings relating to:
Family reunification applications
Residence permit requests or renewals
Citizenship by residence procedures
Granting of housing suitability for other family members
For this reason, even when hospitality is informal, for example between relatives, it is strongly recommended to comply with the obligation.
Declaration of hospitality and registered residence
The declaration of hospitality is not equivalent to the foreigner’s residence at the declarant’s address. They are two distinct procedures:
| Obligation | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Declaration of hospitality | Public security communication |
| Registered residence application | Registration of the foreigner with the Municipality’s registry office |
For the residence application, the foreigner needs the written consent of the property owner, in addition to proof of the title of enjoyment and a valid residence permit, for non-EU citizens.
Frequently asked questions on the declaration of hospitality
When must the declaration of hospitality be submitted?
Within 48 hours from the moment the non-EU citizen or stateless person takes possession of the accommodation, for private individuals. Accommodation facilities, hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, holiday homes, must communicate within 24 hours through the Alloggiati Web system.
What happens if I do not submit the declaration of hospitality?
The omitted, late or incomplete declaration entails an administrative monetary sanction from €500 to €3,500, art. 7, paragraph 2, Legislative Decree 286/1998. The omission may also compromise other immigration-related procedures, family reunification, permit renewal, citizenship.
Do I have to make the declaration of hospitality for an EU citizen?
No. The obligation concerns only non-EU citizens or stateless persons. It is not required for citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
Where can the declaration of hospitality form be downloaded?
The standard form can be downloaded from the website of the Police Headquarters, Forms section, or of the competent Public Security Commissariat for the place where the property is located. Some Police Headquarters use a local form: always check the correct version required by the competent office.
Can I send the declaration of hospitality by PEC?
Yes, generally. Most Police Headquarters accept submission by certified email, PEC, to the dedicated address of the Immigration Office. Check on the website of the competent Police Headquarters the official PEC address and any formal requirements, for example digital signature.
Is the declaration of hospitality also valid for hosting a foreign relative?
Yes. The obligation also applies if the guest is a relative or in-law of the declarant. The law does not distinguish based on family relationship.
Do I have to resubmit the declaration if hospitality is extended?
No. The initial declaration covers the entire period of hospitality. It is not necessary to submit it again if the stay extends beyond the initially planned duration, except in specific cases, for example change of address.
What must be done for the building transfer notice?
If you host a foreign citizen through an unregistered lease or loan-for-use agreement, in addition to the declaration of hospitality, the building transfer notice is required, art. 12 Law Decree 59/1978, unless the contract has already been registered with the Revenue Agency.
Is the declaration of hospitality equivalent to the foreigner’s residence?
No. They are two distinct procedures: the declaration of hospitality has public security purposes, while registered residence is registration with the Municipality’s registry office requiring the owner’s consent and other specific requirements.
How Arletti Partners supports you
Studio A&P assists private citizens, companies and accommodation facilities with the obligations provided for by immigration law, from the declaration of hospitality to more complex residence permit and family reunification procedures.