The Italian hotel and non-hotel sector is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the need for digitalization, energy efficiency improvements, and environmental sustainability. In this scenario, access to credit represents a key lever for business growth.
If you manage a hotel, a farmhouse or a non-hotel accommodation facility, there is excellent news: the SME Guarantee Fund is fully operational throughout the 2026 and provides for a targeted preferential lane, the Special Tourism Section.
In this practical guide, we'll look at what it is, how it works, the access requirements, and the percentages of state coverage updated to the current regulatory framework.
What is the Special Tourism Section of the Guarantee Fund?
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Born to implement the measures of the PNRR (Measure M1C3.4 – Tourism 4.0), the Special Tourism Section The Central Guarantee Fund is a sector specifically dedicated to facilitating access to credit for businesses in the tourism sector.
This is not a non-repayable contribution, but rather a public and free guarantee of the State on bank loans. This guarantee reduces business risk for credit institutions, facilitating loan disbursement and eliminating the need for hoteliers to submit costly personal guarantees or additional insurance policies.
Who can access it? Beneficiaries of the hospitality sector
The Special Section is aimed at a very broad audience of economic operators. The following entities may request access, provided they qualify as Micro, Small, or Medium Enterprises (SMEs) or professionals:
Hotel accommodation facilities: Hotels, multi-building hotels, tourist villages, tourist-hotel residences.
Non-hotel accommodation facilities: Entrepreneurial B&Bs, guesthouses, holiday homes and apartments, youth hostels, and residences.
Outdoor facilities: Campsites and tourist villages outside.
Tourism sector companies: Travel agencies, tour operators, spas, and companies in the trade fair and conference sector.
Agritourism: Agricultural businesses with related accommodation activities.
2026 Rules: Coverage Caps and Percentages
Following the latest regulatory provisions (Milleproroghe Decree), the Guarantee Fund's operations have been secured and confirmed for the current year. The financial coverage conditions applied to the loans are listed below:
| Type of financial transaction | Warranty coverage percentage | Maximum amount of funding per company | Warranty cost |
| Investment programs (Renovations, Green, Digital) | Up to 80% | € 5.000.000 | Free for Microbusinesses |
| Liquidity needs (Working capital, inventories) | Up to 50% | € 5.000.000 | Free for Microbusinesses |
📌Important note: For micro-enterprises the guarantee is completely free (no access fees due to the Fund). For medium-cap companies (Mid Cap) a one-time standard fee may apply.
What expenses and investments are eligible?
The public guarantee can support short-, medium-, or long-term financing aimed at covering various types of business needs. The most popular financeable operations in the tourism sector include:
Building and aesthetic redevelopment: Hotel renovations, room modernizations, and restyling of common and non-hotel spaces.
Ecological and energy transition: Installation of photovoltaic systems, thermal insulation, reduction of water consumption, and energy efficiency improvements for the building.
Digitalization of services (Tourism 4.0): Implementation of property management systems (PMS), booking engines, home automation systems for self-check-in, and enhancement of the Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Liquidity and business continuity: Financing dedicated to paying staff, purchasing inventory for the summer/winter season, and operating costs.
How to apply for the Tourism Guarantee Fund
A key aspect to understand is that The hotel or the owner of the non-hotel facility cannot send the application directly to the Guarantee Fund.
The procedure must necessarily follow one of these two official channels:
Channel 1: Via Bank (Direct Guarantee)
The company goes to its trusted credit institution to apply for financing. When applying for the loan, it fills out a form requesting the government guarantee. The bank itself will process the application and send it electronically to the Fund's Management Board.
Channel 2: Via Confidi (Counter-guarantee)
The company turns to a Collective Credit Guarantee Consortium (Confidi) in the trade and tourism sector. The Confidi issues an initial guarantee to the bank and, at the same time, requests a counter-guarantee (or reinsurance) from the public fund. This method is particularly useful for improving the credit rating of the company in the eyes of the bank.
Processing times for applications are extremely fast. The Fund's Management Board meets on average twice a week To decide on the applications received. Once the requirements have been verified, the beneficiary company receives an immediate email notification confirming the submission of the application and the subsequent approval decision.
The extension of the SME Guarantee Fund through 2026 represents a unique opportunity for the Italian hospitality sector. Accessing bank credit with a government guarantee of up to 80% allows businesses to negotiate better interest rates with lenders and plan redevelopment investments without impacting the business owner's personal assets or the company's cash flow.
The advice for hospitality operators is to promptly prepare a solid business plan and contact their bank or credit guarantee institution to secure the necessary funds for the next tourist season.
For more information and to download the updated forms, visit the official website of Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMIT)
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