Agritourism ... a review!

Dear Readers, 

In our last article we talked about how you can organize agritourism in the best possible way. Today we want to focus on some even more bureaucratic aspects linked to the documentation needed to start your dream project! 

How to start?

The opening of agritourism is reserved exclusively for agricultural entrepreneurs. An agricultural entrepreneur is defined as an individual who exercises an occupation linked to land working. Law no. 96/06 regulates all over the country, but each individual region adopts its own regional law.

The individual regional laws must respect national regulations, such as the regional land use plan and special regional regulations dictated by the region. The main principle of opening agritourism is to use the resources of the farm itself, such as products and houses for farm use. Another characteristic is that the agritourism activity must not exceed the actual farming activities, calculated in working days.

To carry out the activity of agrotourism you need:

- Registration in a regional list;

- The issue of a municipal authorisation;

- To be in compliance with health and hygiene regulations with regard to buildings and equipment for the production, preparation and serving of meals, food and beverages.

Administrative Requirements

The first step to actually starting up an agritourism business is to register the qualified person to carry out the activity in the specific list. This is a list held by the provincial administration, which, also by means of an inspection, verifies the agritourism potential of the farm. The provincial administration is required to make a decision within and no later than 60 days of receiving the application. However, there is no single administrative procedure to obtain it. Each region establishes its own procedures and necessary documents. In general, the regions establish regional or provincial lists of those eligible for agritourism. Registration on these lists is subordinate to verification of certain requirements. 

Once authorisation has been obtained, it is necessary to go and apply to the municipality for authorisation to carry out the activity. This is done by filling out and submitting the SCIA (Segnalazione Certificata di Inizio Attività). Without the presentation of this communication, the start of the activity is precluded. Of course, the municipal authorisation specifies which agritourism activities are permitted and the periods of operation during the year (usually no more than nine months). If the requirements are met, and the application is accepted, the agritourism business must comply with all health and hygiene regulations and submit to the control of the competent authorities (ASL).

Authorisation to the Municipality

To obtain authorisation, the operator wishing to start up the agritourism business must apply, on the appropriate form, to the mayor of the municipality of residence, enclosing

Certificate of enrolment in the provincial list of agritourism operators as well as notification that the final interview has been held and the results of the agritourism plan;

Favorable health certificate for the premises used for agritourism activities;

Copies of the health booklets of the agritourism staff;

Certificate of attendance at the 100-hour training course;

General certificate of criminal record and, in any case, documentation proving the absence of the conditions laid down in Articles 11 and 92 of the Consolidated Text of the Laws of Public Security and Article 5 of Law no. 59/63 for refusal of authorisation.

The application must indicate the buildings and structures used for agritourism, the accommodation capacity and the rates to be charged.

Communication of Accommodation and Tariffs

Once the authorisations have been obtained and the activity has commenced, it will be necessary to record the details of the persons accommodated in a special register, communicating arrivals and departures to the public safety authority. The owner will also have to comply with the procedures for carrying out the activity as set out in the authorisation. He must communicate, by 31 July each year, the rates he intends to charge for the following year. Strict compliance with health and hygiene regulations is of great importance for the sector.

Regional laws, to which reference should be made, lay down the relevant requirements for buildings to be used for agritourism activities, as well as the careful controls relating to the serving of food and drink.

Fiscal requirements

Alongside these fulfilments there are the usual ones, which concern opening a VAT number, and registration with the Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the INPS requirements for persons carrying out agricultural activity. In addition, it must be taken into account that there are limitations on the number of rooms and beds. Generally, rooms must be less than 10 for a total of 30 beds. Regulations vary greatly between normal areas and areas considered to be disadvantaged or mountainous. It therefore seems appropriate and necessary to check the individual regulations applicable according to the regional regulations for the sector.

Follow us again on our Blog Engel&Voelkers Castiglione della Pescaia - Argentario to continue to find out everything you need to know about your new Agriturismo!