Key boxes outlawed across the country in clampdown. –
Airbnb logo next to a smart key lock box. Contactless check-in to holiday apartment.
Credit: Shutterstock, AlenKadr
Italy declares war on Airbnb: The Italian government has slammed the lid on key boxes for short-term holiday rentals, leaving renters no choice but to be greeted in person.
Travellers heading to Italy for their next getaway might find themselves locked out – literally… The Italian government has slammed the lid on key boxes for short-term holiday rentals like those listed on Airbnb and Booking.com, leaving renters no choice but to be greeted in person by property owners.
This new rule, which came into effect on November 18 of this year, has sparked a flurry of controversy, with officials citing safety concerns and locals cheering the clampdown on what they call an “Airbnb invasion.”
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Protesters turn the key on disruption.
The backlash against self-check-in systems has been brewing for some time. Earlier this year, fed-up residents in hotspots like Rome, Florence, and Milan took matters into their own hands, sabotaging key boxes in a bid to reclaim their neighbourhoods from tourists. Locals have blamed the explosion of short-term rentals for soaring housing costs and overcrowded, dirty streets.
But now, the Italian government has taken things one step further, banning key boxes outright in a move hailed as a victory for public safety and community preservation.
Why is Italy banning key boxes? Safety concerns take centre stage.
The Italian interior ministry says the ban was introduced to tackle “public order and safety risks.” Automated check-in systems used in Airbnb and Booking.com apartments, they argue, could allow properties to be occupied by individuals whose identities are unknown to the police – a serious concern as Italy gears up for major events like the 2025 Jubilee celebrations in Rome.
“The visual identification of guests is essential,” the ministry stated. “Without it, properties could become havens for individuals linked to criminal or terrorist organisations.”
What it means for holidaymakers
Gone are the days of punching in a code and strolling into your rental at leisure. Now, property owners or managers must meet guests in person, verify identity documents, and submit sensitive guest information to the police within 24 hours of check-in.
Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, welcomed the change, hailing it as “good news for everyone” and vowing to remove “the padlocks and boxes that disfigure our streets.”
Tourists: Expect new rules at check-in
So, what’s the bottom line for tourists? A more personalised, albeit less flexible, check-in process. Travellers are advised to plan for face-to-face meetings with property owners and ensure all documents are in order.
This shake-up could reshape the Italian holiday rental experience – but whether it’s a win for safety or a blow to convenience will depend on who you ask. One thing’s for sure: the days of automated anonymity in Italian rentals are well and truly over.
Locked out or let in? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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