Key point
The CIN — Codice Identificativo Nazionale — is the national identification code assigned to tourist accommodation and to residential properties or portions of properties offered for short-term or tourist rental in Italy.
The obligation to hold and display the CIN has applied nationally since 1 January 2025.
Infographic: CIN Requirements for Short-Term Rentals in Italy
Disclaimer: This infographic provides a general overview of the current Italian rules governing the National Identification Code (CIN) for short-term rentals. Always refer to the applicable legislation and official guidance for the most up-to-date requirements.
1. What is the CIN?
The CIN is a unique national code generated through the Italian Ministry of Tourism's BDSR, the national database for tourist accommodation and properties used for short-term or tourist rentals.
Its purpose is to provide a uniform national identification system, improve transparency for guests and support public authorities in monitoring the accommodation market.
CIN and regional codes are not the same
The CIN does not automatically replace a regional, provincial or municipal identification code. Where a local code is required, both may need to be held and displayed.
2. Who needs the CIN?
The obligation generally applies to:
- hotel and non-hotel tourist accommodation establishments;
- entire residential properties offered for short-term rental;
- properties rented for tourist purposes;
- individual rooms or portions of residential properties offered under qualifying tourist or short-term rental arrangements;
- private and business operators.
A private individual renting only one property is not automatically exempt. The CIN rules also cover non-business tourist and short-term rentals.
3. What must be completed before applying?
The CIN is normally the final national step in a chain of local and regional compliance procedures. Before applying, the owner should identify the requirements applicable where the property is located.
- Municipal or regional opening communication, where required.
- SCIA, CIA or another filing, if applicable to the type of activity.
- Registration in the relevant regional or provincial database.
- Regional, provincial or local identification code, where required.
- Correct association of the property with the owner's or operator's tax code.
If the property is not shown in the BDSR
Check that the preliminary regional procedure has been completed. If the property should already be present, use the BDSR function for reporting a missing property.
4. How to obtain the CIN
Access the BDSR
Open the Ministry of Tourism's BDSR platform and select the function for obtaining a CIN.
Authenticate
Italian users normally access with SPID or CIE. A specific route is available for eligible foreign users.
Select the property
Review the accommodation or rental property associated with your tax code or delegated role.
Check and complete the information
Confirm the imported data, add missing information and report incorrect data through the appropriate function.
Submit the application
Complete the declarations required by the platform, including the relevant property and safety information.
Download the CIN document
Once issued, keep the platform document and use the code in all situations required by law.
Where a regional or provincial identification code has just been issued, the Ministry's FAQ indicates that the CIN should generally be requested within 30 days of that local code being assigned.
5. Access for foreign property owners
The BDSR operator manual provides an access procedure for foreign citizens who do not use the ordinary SPID or CIE route. Registration is followed by a verification process, after which credentials and access instructions are sent by email.
The accreditation is personal and may involve multi-factor authentication. A foreign owner may also operate through a properly authorised delegate where the platform and underlying records recognise that role.
Practical preparation
Before starting, have the Italian tax code, property details, local registration information, contact email and any delegation documents readily available.
6. Where must the CIN be displayed?
The code must be:
- displayed outside the building where the property or accommodation is located;
- included in every advertisement, wherever published or communicated;
- communicated correctly to intermediaries and online platforms;
- used in accordance with any additional regional or provincial display rules.
When displaying the code outside the building, urban-planning, landscape and condominium restrictions must also be considered. The Ministry's FAQ recognises that alternative methods may be used where a traditional sign is restricted, provided the CIN remains adequately visible to the public.
7. Safety requirements connected with tourist rentals
Residential units used for short-term or tourist rental must meet the safety requirements applicable under Article 13-ter of Decree-Law no. 145/2023.
The Ministry's current guidance states that both business and non-business tourist rentals must have:
- functioning detectors for combustible gas;
- functioning carbon-monoxide detectors;
- portable fire extinguishers compliant with the applicable rules and positioned as required.
Every apartment used for tourist or short-term rental must have its own required devices. The obligation may also apply where only a portion or individual room is rented.
Do not treat the CIN as a safety certificate
Obtaining the code does not remove the owner's responsibility to install, maintain and correctly position the required devices or to comply with any stricter regional rules.
8. Main penalties
| Violation | Administrative penalty indicated by the Ministry |
|---|---|
| Operating without a CIN | From €800 to €8,000 |
| Failure to display or state the CIN | From €500 to €5,000 for each property or establishment, with removal of the non-compliant advert |
| Missing required detectors or extinguishers | From €600 to €6,000 for each violation established |
| Business activity without the required SCIA | From €2,000 to €10,000 |
Penalties may not be the only consequence
Regional, municipal, public-security, tax and condominium breaches may give rise to separate consequences in addition to the national CIN sanctions.
9. Frequently asked questions
Does a private owner renting one apartment need a CIN?
Yes, where the unit is offered as a tourist or qualifying short-term rental. The obligation is not limited to professional operators.
Does the CIN replace the regional code?
No. If regional or provincial law requires a separate code, that obligation remains in force and both codes may have to be displayed.
Can I advertise while waiting for the CIN?
As a rule, the CIN must be held and shown when the property is offered. A specific protection may apply during the formal verification of a properly submitted missing-property report, subject to the Ministry's conditions.
Can a foreign owner obtain the CIN without SPID?
The BDSR manual provides a dedicated accreditation procedure for eligible foreign users, with credentials issued after verification.
Must the CIN appear on Airbnb or Booking.com?
It must be included in every advert wherever published or communicated. Owners should provide the correct code to the platform and verify that it is shown.
Must the CIN be displayed outside the condominium?
Yes, but the method must respect urban-planning, landscape and condominium restrictions. Alternative forms of display may be acceptable if the code remains adequately visible.
Does obtaining the CIN complete all opening requirements?
No. Regional or municipal filings, guest reporting, statistics, tourist tax and tax-return duties remain separate.
Is a CIN required for a rental longer than 30 days?
The CIN framework also refers to rentals for tourist purposes, not only the tax definition of short-term rentals. The actual purpose and legal classification of the agreement should therefore be assessed.
10. Official sources
Procedures and FAQs may be updated. Before submitting an application, check the current information published by the Italian Ministry of Tourism.
Need help with your Italian property?
Studio Polli assists Italian and foreign owners with CIN-related procedures, rental compliance, contracts and tax matters.