Italy introduces a tax for tourists with dogs: Bolzano’s experiment

Photo: Idealista

Starting in 2026, Italy’s Bolzano province (South Tyrol) will introduce a new tourist levy for dog owners. The €1.5-per-day fee per pet will apply to all types of accommodation — from hotels to campsites — and will complement the existing tourist tax, reported Idealista.

The new law was proposed by Luis Walcher, provincial councillor for tourism, agriculture and forestry. He explained that the funds will go toward creating new dog-walking areas, cleaning streets and parks, and installing additional waste bins.

Tourists arriving with dogs will have to pay €1.5 per night. The tax will be collected in all types of temporary accommodation — hotels, apartments, farmhouses, and campsites. The new charge does not replace the existing €2–€3 per-night tax already applied to travelers. For permanent residents with pets, an annual fee of €100 per dog will apply. The system is intended to provide stable funding for the maintenance of public spaces throughout the year.



The legal amendments follow another controversial measure affecting dog owners in South Tyrol. Since January 1, 2022, residents have been required to submit their pets for DNA testing at a cost of €65. The measure was intended to help authorities track pollution cases and build a database for identifying offenders. Fines for non-compliance reached €600. However, only about 12,000 of the province’s 30,000 registered dogs have been added to the system. The new law abolishes mandatory DNA testing. As compensation, owners who have already paid for the procedure will be exempt from the new tax for two years.

The idea of a dog tax has a long history in Italy. A municipal levy was first introduced in 1918, became mandatory during Mussolini’s rule, and was repealed under the 1974 tax reform. According to Article 6 of Law No. 281 of 1991, dog owners had to pay an annual municipal fee of 25,000 lire. The measure was later abandoned.

Meanwhile, Luis Walcher stated that it was “fair” to place the financial burden on dog owners, since “the only waste on our streets comes from dogs.” He added that similar taxes are already in place in other European countries, such as Austria and Germany.



The Association for the Protection of Animals and the Environment (AIDAA) called the idea madness, stressing that it contradicts the rest of Italy, where pet ownership is tax-free. ENPA president Carla Rocchi described the initiative as “short-sighted and unfair.” She warned that it could reduce pet travel and announced plans for acts of civil disobedience if the law is not repealed. OIPA, the International Organization for Animal Protection, cautioned that the new tax could discourage pet adoption and reduce owners’ willingness to register their animals officially.

It remains unclear how the new tax will affect Bolzano’s appeal to travelers with pets — whether it will discourage visitors or become an example for other cities. The main travel rules for pets in Italy will remain unchanged. Before traveling, owners must microchip their pets, vaccinate them against rabies, and prepare the required documents — a pet passport or a veterinary certificate. When moving around the country, dogs must be kept on a leash, and muzzles are required on public transport.

Owners should also carry waste bags and check whether permits are needed to access certain beaches or parks with animals. Before booking accommodation, it is advisable to verify the property’s pet policy and any restrictions. Not all facilities accept guests with animals, and some landlords impose limits on breeds or sizes.