The bidet in an Italian bathroom

Why removing the bidet could cost you: Italy's bathroom rule explained for foreign home buyers and owners

toilet and bidet

Italy is the only country in the world where the bidet is, in effect, a legal requirement. For the many international buyers who have purchased a home in Italy, and who often renovate the bathroom to match the habits of their home country, ripping out the bidet may seem like a purely aesthetic choice. In reality, it can have serious legal consequences, up to and including the loss of the property's certificate of habitability (agibilità) and, with it, the possibility to legally rent the property to tourists.

What the law actually says 

Italian bathroom

The reference norm is Ministerial Decree of 5 July 1975 (D.M. Sanità 5 luglio 1975), which sets the minimum health and hygiene standards for residential buildings. The decree states that every home must have at least one bathroom equipped with the following sanitary fixtures: a WC (toilet), a bidet, a bathtub or a shower and a washbasin. In other words: at least one bathroom in every home, let’s say the main bathroom, or the only one if there is just one, must contain all four elements. Additional bathrooms are free to be configured however the owner likes: a second bathroom with only a WC and washbasin is perfectly legal, and there is no obligation to duplicate the bidet.

combination WC-bidet

Local building regulations set by each municipality may add further requirements to minimum room dimensions, distances between fixtures, ventilation, but they cannot lower this national standard. Some municipal regulations do allow flexibility in very small units (e.g. studio apartments), accepting integrated solutions such as a combination WC-bidet fixture in place of two separate sanitary appliances, but these are exceptions, not the rule.

A uniquely Italian obligation

No other country mandates the bidet. France, where the fixture was invented, long ago abandoned it from new homes; Portugal and Spain have it culturally widespread but not legally required. Italy is alone in making it part of the minimum legal equipment of a home, which is why the bidet is found in virtually every Italian home, and why its absence is immediately noticed by surveyors, notaries and municipal technicians.

What happens if you remove it

Removing the bidet during a renovation may seem harmless, but the consequences can surface at the worst possible moments: 

• Loss of habitability requirements. The home no longer meets the minimum hygiene standards required for the certificate of habitability (agibilità). If the property was built or certified after 1975, the difference from the original approved project constitutes an irregularity.
• Problems when selling or renting. When selling, the bank's surveyor or the technician preparing the building-regularity report may flag the missing fixture, forcing the seller to restore it or apply for a retrospective permit (sanatoria) before the sale can close. In a short or long term rental, an Italian tourist or tenant could contest the missing habitability requirements.
• Refused or blocked permits. Any renovation project filed with the municipality that shows a bathroom without the required fixtures can be rejected or delayed until the design is corrected. 

The hidden sting for holiday rentals: the CIN

This is where a seemingly minor design choice turns into a major business problem. Since 2024, every property in Italy offered for short-term or tourist rental must obtain a National Identification Code (CIN, Codice Identicativo Nazionale) from the Ministry of Tourism. To operate legally, the owner must ile a certified notice of commencement of activity (SCIA, Segnalazione Certificata di Inizio Attività) with the local one-stop business desk (SUAP). The catch is, to file the SCIA and obtain the CIN, the property must meet the habitability and hygiene requirements, including the minimum bathroom fixtures. A home that has lost its habitability status because the bidet was removed cannot obtain the CIN. Without a CIN, the property cannot be advertised or rented as a tourist accommodation, and the municipal authorities can impose fines and order the activity to cease.

For foreign buyers who purchased an Italian home precisely with the intention of renting it out on short term rental platforms, removing the bidet can therefore mean losing the entire rental business, not just a fixture.

Practical advice

If you are renovating a bathroom in Italy and you do not want a bidet, keep these points in mind: 

1. Keep at least one fully equipped bathroom. Every additional bathroom can be simplified, but one bathroom in the home must always have WC, bidet, shower or bathtub, and washbasin.
2. If space is the issue, ask about integrated solutions. A combined WC-bidet unit, or the specific derogations provided by some municipal building regulations for very small units, may satisfy the law without a separate bidet.
3. If your house is for personal use only and you really want to remove it, keep the plumbing connections (hot and cold water supply and drain) capped in place, so the bidet can be reinstated quickly and cheaply if a surveyor or the municipality requires it. This makes it far easier to demonstrate and restore compliance.
4. Check with a local geometra or architect before the works, not after. The municipal building regulation of your specific town determines exactly what is allowed, and a professional can confirm in advance whether your renovation plan preserves the habitability requirements.

The bidet may not be part of your culture, but in Italy it is part of the law. Keeping it, or at least keeping the option to put it back, is a small design concession that protects the legal status, the market value and, for short term rentals, the very viability of your Italian property investment.

(pictures: Villeroy & Boch)

Introducing KeyPro Italy

Italy House Hunting: 

Why International Buyers Need 

Support After the Purchase

Buying a home in Italy is a dream come true for many international buyers. The charm of Tuscany’s rolling hills, the allure of Rome’s historic streets, or the tranquility of Umbria’s countryside makes Italy an irresistible destination for a second home. 

However, what happens after the purchase? Many buyers soon realize that owning a property in Italy comes with administrative challenges, especially when it comes to taxes, utility contracts, and rental obligations.

At KeyPro Italy, we’ve listened to the needs of international buyers, and we’ve built our services to simplify life in Italy after the purchase.

1. The Demand for Post-Purchase Support

International buyers often face unexpected complexities after purchasing their Italian property. Two of the most common challenges are:

IMU and TARI Taxes

Italy’s property tax system can be confusing for non-residents.

IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica) and TARI (waste tax) are mandatory taxes that must be paid annually, but navigating the deadlines, calculations, and payment methods can be overwhelming, especially from abroad.

Many buyers risk fines or missed payments simply because they’re unaware of the requirements or struggle with the Italian bureaucracy.
That’s why we offer clear, hassle-free tax management, ensuring your taxes are calculated, filed, and paid on time.

Utility Contracts

Setting up electricity, water, gas, and internet in Italy can be a daunting task for international buyers. Language barriers, complex contracts, and local provider requirements often lead to frustration.

At KeyPro Italy, we handle the entire process for you, from contract setup to automated bill payments, so you can enjoy your Italian home without worrying about administrative headaches.

2. The Demand for Rental Administration Services

Many international buyers purchase properties in Italy with the intention of renting them out, either as short-term vacation rentals or long-term leases. However, renting out a property in Italy comes with its own set of challenges:

Legal Compliance for Rentals

Italy has strict regulations for short-term rentals, including:

• CIN (Codice Identificativo Nazionale) registration.
• AlloggiatiWeb guest registrations.
• Tourist tax collection and reporting.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in heavy fines.
Our Rental Compliance Pack ensures your property meets all legal obligations, so you can rent with confidence.

Administrative Support for Landlords

Managing a rental property from abroad can be stressful. From guest registrations to tax filings, the administrative burden can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s why we offer comprehensive rental administration services, including:

• Guest registration (AlloggiatiWeb).
• Tourist tax administration.
• Annual tax declarations for rental income.

Why We Founded KeyPro Italy

After hearing from countless international buyers about their struggles with taxes, utilities, and rental administration, we founded KeyPro Italy to provide a one-stop solution for all post-purchase needs.

Our mission is simple: To make life in Italy easier for international property owners.

What Sets Us Apart?

• ✅ Multilingual Support: We speak English and Italian, but also serve clients in Dutch, German and French.
• ✅ Transparent Pricing: No hidden fees, just clear, fixed-price packages tailored to your needs.
• ✅ Nationwide Service: Whether your property is in Tuscany, Umbria, or Puglia, we’ve got you covered, wherever in Italy your property is located.
• ✅ Local Expertise: We know the Italian bureaucracy inside out, so you don’t have to.

How We Can Help You

Whether you’ve just bought a property or you’re looking to rent it out, KeyPro Italy offers tailored packages to simplify your life in Italy:

Italy Starter Pack

Perfect for new property owners who need help with utilities, taxes, and insurance.

Learn More

Italy Rental Compliance Pack

Ideal for property owners who want to rent out their home legally and safely.

Learn More

Italian Rental Administration

Comprehensive support for managing guest registrations, tourist tax, and tax filings.

Learn More

Ready to Enjoy Your Italian Property
Without the Stress?

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your Italian property, whether it’s setting up utilities, managing taxes, or renting out your home.

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New rules for private rentals in Italy in 2026

The 2026 Italian Budget Law introduced a significant change in short-term rental regulations, directly affecting anyone who rents out their properties privately for periods of less than 30 days.

The maximum number of properties that may be used for short-term rentals without being considered a business activity has been reduced. The short-term rental tax scheme applies to a maximum of two properties per tax year, with a flat rate of 21% for the first property and a flat rate of 26% for the second. From the third property onward, the owner is deemed to be conducting a business activity, in accordance with Article 2082 of the Civil Code, with the resulting obligation to register for VAT and apply the rules for business activities. The presumption of a business activity applies regardless of the duration of the contracts, the rental channel used, and whether the activity is carried out independently or through intermediaries.

The amendment lowers the threshold from 4 to 2 properties and has direct consequences for landlords' tax and administrative obligations. This makes it absolutely essential to carefully evaluate your own situation and adapt to the new rules as quickly as possible.

New rules for private rentals in Italy in 2026

• Maximum of 2 residential units
• One residential unit taxable at 21%
• Second residential unit taxable at 26%
• Three or more residential units = business activity with VAT number

One of the objectives of the new tax scheme is to increase the supply of long-term rental properties. It is expected that some owners with just three or little more rental properties will offer their surplus properties for long-term rental. Others may choose to put their surplus apartments up for sale, which will likely create opportunities for new investors in the short-term rental market.