The CIN code for short-term rentals in Italy: what it is, where to show it, the fines
Italy's national ID code (CIN) has been mandatory since 1 January 2025 for short-term and holiday rentals. How it works, where it must appear and what the fines are.
· 3 min read
Anyone renting out a holiday home in Italy has seen quite a few new rules in recent years. The CIN is one of the most important because it applies to everyone, from an owner with a single flat to a company managing dozens. Here are the essentials.
What the CIN is
The CIN (Codice Identificativo Nazionale) was introduced by article 13-ter of Decree-Law 145/2023. It gives every property let for tourist purposes or on short lets, and every accommodation business, a single national identifier. It sits alongside or replaces the regional codes many regions had already introduced.
It's issued by the Ministry of Tourism through the BDSR, the national database of accommodation and short-let properties.
When it became mandatory
After an extension granted by the Ministry, the requirement has applied to everyone since 1 January 2025. If you let short-term and haven't requested it yet, that's the first thing to do.
Where it must appear
Having a CIN isn't enough; you have to show it:
- in every listing, on any platform or website, including your own;
- outside the property, where it can be seen.
According to tax sources, the CIN must also be stated in your Italian tax return: in the 730/2026 and Redditi PF 2026 forms for 2025 income.
The fines
The rules provide for fines both for not requesting a CIN and for having one but not displaying it. The figures most often quoted go up to €8,000 per property (with ranges of €800 to €8,000 cited for not requesting it), and lower fines for failing to display it. Check exact amounts and specific cases against the law itself or the Ministry of Tourism's portal; don't rely only on what you read online, this article included.
Platforms and the EU regulation
There's a European layer too. EU Regulation 2024/1028 on data collection and sharing for short-term rentals, which industry sources say applies in full from 20 May 2026, requires platforms to check listings' registration numbers and remove those without a valid one. In practice, a listing without a CIN risks disappearing from Airbnb and Booking.com.
Why it matters to guests too
The CIN is also a trust signal. Guests booking directly from an owner can check it, and we recommend doing so in our guide on how to book directly, safely. An owner who shows it clearly, including on their own booking page, starts ahead.
In practice
- Log in to the Ministry of Tourism's BDSR and check whether your property already has a code (sometimes it's derived from the regional one).
- If it doesn't, request one.
- Add it to every listing and to your direct-booking page.
- Display it outside the property.
- Remember to include it in your tax return.
If you're setting up direct bookings for your home, read the practical guide for owners.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CIN?
It's the national ID code introduced by article 13-ter of Decree-Law 145/2023 for properties let on short or tourist stays in Italy. The Ministry of Tourism issues it through the BDSR database.
When did the CIN become mandatory?
On 1 January 2025, after an extension set by the Ministry of Tourism.
Where do I have to display the CIN?
In every listing, on any platform or website, and outside the property. It also goes in your Italian tax return.
What happens if I don't have a CIN?
Fines apply; the most commonly quoted figures go up to €8,000 per property. And under the EU short-term rental regulation, platforms must remove listings without a valid code.
