Inside Italy: Tuscany takes on Airbnb and who owns Italy's gold?

"Cities across Europe are cracking down on short-term tourist rentals as housing becomes increasingly unaffordable for residents in major cities. Spain recently moved to ban tourist apartments entirely in some areas. Italy's national government, meanwhile, has been doing the opposite - actively trying to stop local authorities from imposing restrictions on the number of tourist lets in their cities. This week, that strategy hit a wall."

"Tuscany had passed rules earlier this year allowing cities with high tourist numbers to set limits on short-term lets, but Meloni's government challenged this, arguing these decisions should stay with Rome. But so far, the national government does not appear to have addressed the problem at all. A recent series of rule changes aorund the use of key boxes for remote check-in of guests has caused confusion, but doesn't directly change anything about the number of apartments given over to tourism."

"The government ministers insisting hosts must verify guests' identities are focusing on security. But local authorities have other concerns. Now, more regions including Emilia Romagna are now looking to introduce similar limits to Tuscany = which many residents of Bologna, for example, feel are long overdue. The opposition sees the ruling as vindication. The government's position - that local authorities shouldn't be allowed to place limits on landlords to address their own housing crises - tells you exactly where its priorities lie."

Cities across Europe are cracking down on short-term tourist rentals as housing becomes increasingly unaffordable for residents in major cities. Spain moved to ban tourist apartments entirely in some areas. Italy's national government attempted to block local limits on tourist lets, but the Constitutional Court ruled that Tuscany can restrict Airbnbs and similar rentals, creating a path for other regions. Tuscany's rules let high-tourist cities set limits, while recent changes around remote check-in key boxes caused confusion without altering rental volumes. Ministers emphasize guest identity checks for security, while regions including Emilia Romagna pursue limits to tackle housing shortages. Opposition voices call the ruling vindication, and critics argue the government's stance prioritizes landlord freedoms over local housing crises. Turin continues to see periodic clashes tied to a long-running anarchist scene and attacks on newspaper offices.

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