| So, you have moved to Italy - or are planning to | | | | register for IVA - Italian Value Added Tax - or |
| - and you want to generate an income. Renting | | | | issue any invoices. In most parts of Italy, closing |
| out a part of your own property is an obvious | | | | for 90 days each year is not a problem - note |
| choice, because it makes the most of an asset | | | | that the 90 days don't need to be consecutive. |
| you already have, often with a minimum of capital | | | | - The price list, stamped by the comune, should |
| outlay. Expatriate owners have an advantage | | | | be displayed behind the door of each room. |
| here: there are many tourists who like to stay at | | | | Affittacamere (Room Rentals) |
| places owned by their own compatriots, valuing | | | | If you want to offer more than 3 rooms, you |
| the familiar point of reference in an unfamiliar | | | | probably want to go the affittacamere route. |
| landscape. | | | | According to Italian law #217 of 1983, |
| Assuming that you have set your sights on | | | | affittacamere can offer no more than 6 rooms: |
| something more modest than a hotel, Italy offers | | | | like a B&B, these must be located in the |
| a number of alternatives. This article will focus on | | | | building that you live in. If the rooms are located in |
| the 3 most popular, and explain the rules for | | | | furnished apartments, there should be no more |
| starting a business in each category. These 3 | | | | than 2 apartments. Other services (such as |
| categories account for about 99% of the | | | | cleaning and laundry changing) may be offered. |
| accommodation-based businesses started by | | | | Unlike a B&B, an affittacamere is considered |
| expatriates in Italy. | | | | to be a full-time business: it must therefore be |
| Bed & Breakfast | | | | registered with the local chamber of commerce |
| Bed and Breakfast is the most popular choice - | | | | and submit annual accounts. |
| partly because it is so easy to set up. You only | | | | Agriturismo (Farmstay) |
| need to visit the comune office (local town hall) | | | | An agriturismo is a farm that offers |
| and declare the start up of the activity and the | | | | accommodation. If it also offers food, a significant |
| prices you plan to charge. | | | | proportion of the produce on offer should |
| The regulations that apply to B&Bs are | | | | originate from the farm itself. The majority of the |
| determined by Italian law #135 of 2001. Some | | | | revenue from the farm should be generated by |
| regions have additional local laws, but the following | | | | farming, not by the accommodation. |
| points apply throughout Italy: | | | | You can only start an agriturismo if you are |
| - The person operating the B&B must be | | | | registered as a farmer. The income from the |
| resident in the house where the guest rooms are | | | | accommodation can be integrated with your |
| located and the breakfast is served. | | | | farming income - it's a very uncomplicated and |
| - A maximum of 3 bedrooms (more in a few | | | | unbureaucratic way of enhancing your revenue. |
| regions) must be furnished with a maximum of 2 | | | | Given the advantages that agriturismo status |
| beds each. A cupboard, bedside tables, lamps, | | | | offers, farmers who offer farm accommodation |
| chairs and a waste bin must also be provided. | | | | almost invariably take this route. |
| - A double room must have a minimum area of | | | | These three categories - B&B, affittacamere |
| 14 square meters; a single room must be at least | | | | and agriturismo - are the only options if you want |
| 8 square meters. | | | | to offer 6 or less rooms. With 7 or more rooms |
| - If the B&B is closed for at least 90 days | | | | you are into albergo (hotel) territory - but that is |
| during the year, the activity is classified as | | | | beyond the scope of this article. |
| saltuario (occasional) and you don't need to | | | | |