Can Italian Hotels Refuse To Give Tourists Tap Water For Free?

If you’re dining at a restaurant in Italy and expecting free tap water, you might be in for a surprise. Restaurants and hotels in the European country are not legally required to serve customers tap water. Here’s everything you need to know about the ruling and the case that led to it.

Here’s What Italy’s Top Court Said About Free Tap Water

According to the BBC, Italy’s Supreme Court has ruled that a five-star hotel in the Dolomites acted within the law when it refused to serve tap water to a tourist. The case dates back to 2019, when a tourist dining at Hotel Sassongher in Corvara during the ski season was offered only bottled mineral water by the waiter, priced at €7 (around ₹779).

Objecting to this, she filed a lawsuit against the hotel and restaurant, arguing that “water is a natural resource and a universal human right.” Local media reports said she also sought €2,700 (around ₹3 lakh) in compensation for alleged emotional distress and financial loss.

However, Italy’s top court ruled in favour of the hotel, stating that under Italian law, restaurants and hotels are not legally obligated to provide free tap water to customers.

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All You Need To Know About This

In her complaint, the tourist argued that her consumer rights had been violated after the hotel staff refused to serve tap water. She claimed that providing water should be considered a basic part of hotel service, comparing it to essentials such as “a bed with sheets” and “soap in the bathroom.”

She also stated that she had repeatedly asked for tap water and had even offered to pay for it. However, each evening at dinner, a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water was reportedly placed on her table instead.

Speaking to the media, Silvio Belardi, the lawyer representing the hotel, said the court reaffirmed that there is “no obligation for establishments to provide drinking water to customers.”

It is worth noting that serving tap water at restaurants is uncommon in Italy. This differs from countries such as France, Spain and the UK, where restaurants are generally required to provide it upon request.

Also Read: Not Italy, This Country Unexpectedly Won The World Tiramisu Championship!

We hope this information will help you plan your travels better!

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