Italian hospitality operators face a compliance landscape that surprises many hoteliers and vacation rental managers entering the market. Three mandatory systems must work together seamlessly: SdI electronic invoicing, Italian VAT (IVA) at the correct rates, and Alloggiati Web guest registration with the Questura. A fourth system — SIRED for regional statistics — adds another layer for many operators.
The Three Mandatory Compliance Layers
### 1. SdI Electronic Invoicing
Since January 2019, Italian businesses must issue all B2B invoices through the Sistema di Interscambio (SdI). Accommodation providers must generate structured XML invoices in the FatturaPA format, transmit them via SdI, and receive protocol confirmation in real time.
Manual SdI submission is technically possible but extremely time-consuming for properties processing 10+ invoices per day. An integrated PMS handles this automatically.
**What to look for:** Native SdI API integration, automatic FatturaPA XML generation, real-time protocol number reception, 10-year invoice archive.
### 2. Italian VAT (IVA) — 10% and 22%
Italian accommodation services attract different VAT rates depending on the service:
| Service | IVA Rate |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (alloggio) | 10% |
| Breakfast included in room rate | 10% |
| Separate F&B | 10% |
| Spa, activities, extras | 22% |
| Cleaning fee (if itemised separately) | 22% |
A PMS must apply these rates automatically to every line item, without manual intervention.
### 3. Alloggiati Web & SIRED
All accommodation providers in Italy must register arriving guests with the Questura (police authority) via Alloggiati Web within 24 hours of check-in. This system is managed by the Ministry of the Interior and requires a dedicated software certification.
SIRED (Sistema Informativo Regionale per l'Eccellenza del Turismo) collects monthly statistical data for regional tourism boards. Requirements vary by region.
How Leading PMS Platforms Compare
| Capability | Nokumo | Generic Global PMS |
|---|---|---|
| Native SdI integration | ✓ | Third-party required |
| Automatic IVA rate application | ✓ | Manual or limited |
| Alloggiati Web registration | ✓ | Third-party required |
| SIRED reporting | ✓ | Manual |
| Tassa di soggiorno | ✓ | Manual |
| Single vendor (all-in-one) | ✓ | 2–3 vendors needed |
Tassa di Soggiorno
Most Italian municipalities charge a tourist tax (tassa di soggiorno) ranging from €0.50 to €5 per person per night. The rate varies by star rating, municipality, and guest category. Tracking and reporting this manually across hundreds of reservations is error-prone.
A PMS should calculate tourist tax automatically per stay, aggregate it monthly, and generate the municipal report.
Implementation Timeline
For Italian operators switching to a new PMS, the typical implementation timeline is:
- **Week 1:** PMS setup, rate configuration, channel connections
- **Week 2:** SdI credentials setup, test invoice submission
- **Week 3:** Alloggiati Web integration, test guest registration
- **Week 4:** Staff training, go-live
Nokumo's Italian onboarding team manages this process, reducing the timeline to 5–7 days for properties under 50 units.
Verdict
For Italian hospitality operators, the correct benchmark for any PMS is whether it handles SdI, IVA, and Alloggiati Web natively — without third-party tools or manual processes. Platforms built for global markets typically require custom integrations for each Italian compliance layer, adding cost and complexity.
Nokumo ships all three Italian compliance requirements as first-class features, included in the base subscription.