Sicily’s tourism regulations have changed under a new regional law that tightens rules for short-term rentals and hospitality businesses.
New law rewrites the rules
Regional law 12/2026, passed earlier this year, updates the previous framework set by law 6/2025. A decree from the regional tourism department, issued June 24, adjusted the details to align with the new legal requirements.
The revisions followed a court decision. In May, the regional administrative tribunal struck down twelve provisions from an earlier decree, prompting lawmakers to revise the regulations. The new law, particularly articles 5 and 6, rewrites several sections of the 2025 legislation.
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Existing tourist rentals must now comply with the updated requirements. Operators have until June 30 to submit the necessary paperwork. If they cannot gather all documents by then, they must at least prove they have started the process. Any missing technical documentation can be submitted later, but no later than December 30.
Non-compliance could result in business closures and the revocation of the CIR and CIN codes.
Saverio Panzica, a tourism law professor and instructor at ETIC Academy, explained the changes in a recent video interview. He first addressed the topic at Travelexpo in April, but conditions have evolved since then. The new law and decree address gaps identified by the court’s ruling.
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For many small property owners, the deadlines are challenging. Some lack the resources to gather documents quickly, especially if they depend on slow-moving local agencies. The law offers limited flexibility—operators can submit partial documentation by June 30 and complete the rest by year’s end—but the risk of losing licenses remains.
The updates precede World Tourism Day, celebrated on September 27 in Palermo. The event, organized by Travelnostop and ETIC Academy, will include discussions on industry challenges, including the impact of these regulations.
Panzica’s interview is part of a series leading up to the event. It aims to keep tourism professionals informed about legal changes affecting their work.