The Single ZES Tax Credit for the hotel sector is a tax relief that covers investments in capital goods, real estate, and equipment made between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2028, in Southern Italy.
For hospitality facilities, the bonus represents an opportunity to finance the renovation of outdoor seating , the purchase of contract furniture , or the expansion of space, with a minimum investment threshold of €200.000.
Thanks to the 4 billion euros allocated for the three-year period, hoteliers can optimize Capex and improve RevPAR.
Extension of the Single Economic Zone (ZES): What will change for hotels in the three-year period 2026-2028?
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The 2026 Budget Law (L. n. 199/2025) gave continuity to the tax credit for the single Special Economic Zone, allocating massive resources: 2,3 billion for 2026 , 1 billion for 2027 and 750 million for 2028.
For those who manage a hotel or resort in Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, or Abruzzo, this extension allows for multi-year investment planning.
This is no longer a "gold rush" lasting a few months, but a structural strategy to improve the Occupancy Rate and ADR through the renewal of the real estate asset.
What are the size requirements for the hotel project?
To access the benefit, the investment must meet specific parameters that differentiate it from small non-repayable grants:
Minimum threshold: The total investment must not be less than 200.000 euros.
Maximum threshold: The eligible amount is set at 100 million euros per project.
Destination: The credit is available for the purchase of machinery, systems, various equipment and even land or buildings (the latter up to a limit of 50% of the total value).
📌A hotel that decides to redo the entire professional kitchen and replace all the air conditioning systems (capital goods) can add these items to the possible purchase of a real estate appurtenance to reach the 200k threshold.
Which expenses are actually eligible in the Horeca sector?
Many managers wonder whether the loan covers only the "walls" or the technological equipment as well. The regulation is clear: assets that are part of an initial investment project are eligible for the loan.
Furnishings and Contracts: Guest room furniture, wellness area equipment, and restaurant equipment.
Systems: Photovoltaic systems (if connected to the structure), home automation systems for energy saving.
Real estate: Purchase of capital buildings or expansion of existing structures.
| Type of Good | ZES eligibility | Specific Constraints |
| Hotel furnishings | YUP | They must be new and instrumental goods. |
| Software/PMS | YUP | If part of an integrated investment plan. |
| Land/Buildings | YUP | Max 50% of the total investment. |
💡Before proceeding, verify that your ATECO code does not fall under the exclusions (although tourism is generally permitted). Make sure each purchase is tracked and certified by a certified auditor.
How to get the additional 14,6% contribution?
A key technical aspect of the new legislation concerns the additional contribution.
Companies that submitted the supplementary communication by the end of 2025 can benefit from an additional 14,6189%, provided that the "Transition 5.0" credit was not recognized for those same investments.
The credit can be combined with de minimis aid and other state aid, provided that the cumulation does not exceed the maximum aid intensity allowed by European regional maps. It can also be combined with measures that do not qualify as state aid, within the limits of the expenses incurred.
Pay attention to the "maintenance" clause: the eligible assets must remain in the production facility for at least five years (or three years for SMEs) after the investment is completed. Otherwise, the tax credit is revoked and the assets must be repaid.
For amounts relating to 2026, offsetting via F24 will be possible from May 26, 2026, to December 31, subject to electronic submission of the notification to the Revenue Agency.
The Single ZES Tax Credit is not only a tax saving, but also a competitive advantage for your business. However, the bureaucratic complexity (auditor certification, technical appraisals, and Revenue Agency communications) requires a professional approach.
To consult the regulatory texts, download the communication templates and check the updated application circulars, visit the dedicated official section on the Revenue Agency website – Tax credit for investments in the Single ZES
Su Direzione Hotel We put you in touch with the best suppliers of capital goods contract and tax consultants specialized in the tourism sector to manage your ZES Unica practice from A to Z.
