The Italian government bans keyboxes

The Italian Ministry of the Interior has decided to ban the use of keyboxes and self check-in systems for short-term rentals, introducing a requirement for in-person verification of guest identities. This provision, issued through a circular by the Chief of Police Vittorio Pisani, mandates that hosts personally conduct the check-in process, verifying the match between the documents provided and the individuals accessing the apartment or residence in question. According to the Ministry, remote identification, via the submission of digital documents and automated access to accommodations, does not guarantee adequate control, as individuals other than those registered could access the apartments. The decision is ostensibly based on the need to enhance security during a historical moment dense with international tensions, but it also appears to respond to the strong discontent caused by the proliferation of short-term rentals among residents of cities like Florence and Venice, which over time have transformed into gigantic open-air hotels. The measure directly impacts automated management systems such as keyboxes, small lockers that allow access to accommodations via a code. These devices, often used by hosts to manage bookings without being physically present (and which have also facilitated the boom of companies operating as virtual "diffused hotels" managing dozens of apartments remotely), have been deemed non-compliant with the new rules, which require physical and personal verification of each guest's identity.  

The circular comes at a time when Italy is preparing for major events such as the 2025 Jubilee and the 2026 Cortina Games. For the Rome Jubilee, for instance, much discussion has revolved around how the city's accommodations, urban mobility, and several ongoing construction projects—one of which is near the Vatican—will handle an anticipated influx of over 30 million tourists. Given the religious nature of the event, ensuring that every person staying in a lodging is correctly identified is deemed critical to prevent risks related to public safety and security, as well as to crack down on illegal practices, which have also become a concern in the case of short-term rentals. Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè has expressed her support for the measure, but reactions from the short-term rental sector have been mixed. The Italian Short-Term Rental Managers Association (AIGAB) has voiced concerns about the potential impact on a sector that has expanded significantly thanks to digitalization and connectivity. According to the association, many managers already use advanced technological systems, such as biometric recognition software and OTP codes, similar to those used for bank account access or car rentals. These tools ensure a high level of security, and the requirement for in-person check-ins could appear outdated and discriminatory against short-term rentals compared to other forms of accommodation.  

Airbnb, for its part, has stated that it is open to collaborating with Italian cities in compliance with the new rules, but it has also emphasized the importance of finding a balance that does not hinder technological innovation. Nonetheless, at the ANCI assembly in Turin, the platform acknowledged that cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice are facing increasing tourist pressure, which requires greater regulation. This rise in tourist flows, combined with escalating international tensions, was discussed at the recent G7 Tourism meeting in Florence, highlighting a new determination among institutions to closely monitor a phenomenon occurring in increasingly risky national contexts. Considering how much Italy and many of its cities rely on tourism, the success of the measure will depend on the government’s ability to balance controls and security with the needs of a rapidly evolving sector—perhaps also addressing the growing housing problem, which is increasingly viewed negatively by local communities in urban peripheries, as seen in Milan’s southern districts.