Worker bonuses, €600 million for supply chain contracts, FUNT simplification, and the new "Quality Destination": here's how the Italian tourism landscape is changing with the measures approved by the Senate.
The tourism sector remains the driving force of the Italian economy. With the approval of the 2026 Budget Law , the Ministry of Tourism, led by Daniela Santanchè, is implementing a multi-year strategy of direct incentives, streamlined bureaucracy, and massive investments in digitalization.
For hospitality owners and industry stakeholders, understanding these measures is essential for planning investments for the coming years.
1. 15% Bonus for Tourism Workers: Support Confirmed
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One of the most anticipated measures concerns labor costs and employee well-being. To address staff shortages and incentivize seasonal and holiday work, the 15% supplementary pay is being reintroduced.
What it includes: A 15% bonus on gross wages for night work and overtime on public holidays.
Period: From January 1st to September 30th 2026.
Requirements: Intended for hotel, restaurant and spa employees with a 2025 income not exceeding 40.000 euros.
Why it matters: This measure allows companies to offer higher net salaries without increasing gross labor costs, making the sector more attractive to professionals.
2. Supply Chain and Development Contracts: Over €600 Million Coming Soon
The real boost to investment comes from new allocations for the redevelopment and industrial development of tourism.
Supply Chain Contracts: 50 million euros per year (2026-2028) for contributions, including non- repayable grants , allocated to projects that strengthen the supply chain from a commercial and industrial perspective.
Development Contracts: A significant endowment that includes €250 million in 2027 and a further €250 million in 2029 (with €50 million in 2028) for large investment projects.
The incentives will focus on five fundamental pillars:
Deseasonalization (to fill hotels all year round).
Digitalization of the ecosystem.
Development of integrated supply chains.
ESG (Environmental and Social Sustainability) investments .
Sustainable Tourism.
3. The “Quality Tourist Destination” is born
The Ministry is introducing a new seal of excellence for small towns and islands (with fewer than 30.000 inhabitants). Localities that earn this recognition (valid for two years) will receive priority promotion through ENIT . This is a golden opportunity for hotels located in villages or lesser-known areas to enhance their international positioning.
4. Tax Free Shopping Revolution and FUNT
To make Italy more competitive with its European competitors, the budget law intervenes on bureaucracy:
Tax-Free Shopping: Single validation of electronic invoices and deadlines for returning stamped invoices extended from 4 to 6 months . These measures encourage shopping among non-EU tourists, with direct benefits for the luxury hotel industry.
FUNT Simplification: The National Single Fund for Tourism (refinanced with €37,5 million annually until 2028) will see much more streamlined allocation procedures, eliminating administrative bottlenecks.
5. Digitalization: Beyond the PNRR with the Tourism Digital Hub
To prevent the PNRR's efforts from being wasted, the Government has allocated specific funds (over €11 million over the three-year period) for the Italia.it portal . The goal is to make the Tourism Digital Hub (TDH) the leading digital ecosystem in Europe, integrating business data with institutional offerings, ensuring global, data-driven visibility for accommodation facilities.
The 2026 Budget Law isn't just a spending package, but a business plan. Opening up pension funds to invest in tourism infrastructure marks a historic turning point: tourism is finally being treated as a strategic financial asset to be invested in over the long term.
Want to know how to access funds or how to adapt your structure to ESG criteria? Stay up to date with our technical insights.
