A legal breakthrough that accelerates automation and strengthens the role of smart locks in tourism
In a ruling that marks a turning point for the non-hotel sector and for the entire micro-receptive sector, the TAR of Lazio has annulled the ministerial circular of 18 November 2024 , with which the Ministry of the Interior imposed on short-term rental managers the obligation to identify themselves in the presence of guests (the so-called “de visu” obligation).
A decision that, in addition to raising important legal questions related to the legality of administrative acts, has very concrete operational implications, paving the way for the full and legitimate use of automation technologies, such as self-check-in systems and, above all, smart locks, increasingly widespread in the tourism sector.
Context: What the cancelled circular envisaged
The circular from the Ministry of the Interior was part of a context of growing attention to security related to short-term accommodation, also in view of the Jubilee 2025. The declared objective was to guarantee the certain identification of guests, establishing an obligation for managers of short-term rentals to personally verify the identity of customers before their stay, as already happens in hotels.
But this provision was deemed illegitimate for several reasons:
- Violation of the principle of legality, as a circular cannot create new obligations without a primary regulatory basis;
- Contrast with the reform of art. 109 of the TULPS, which since 2011 has simplified the transmission of accommodation data by eliminating the obligation of physical presence;
- Lack of proportionality, as the burden imposed did not bring proportionate benefits in terms of safety;
- Discrimination against small operators, who do not have a concierge or reception.
The TAR has therefore accepted the appeal presented by several associations in the non-hotel sector and has cancelled the obligation of identification in person, thus opening the doors – it is right to say – to automated and contactless solutions.
Smart doors and self check-in: the perfect combination for modern tourism
This decision has a particularly significant impact on those who, like us at PorteItaliano, carefully follow the evolution of technologies applied to hospitality. In particular, smart electronic locks become the undisputed protagonists of a new hospitality model:
What is a smart lock?
These are locking devices which, unlike traditional locks, can be:
Control remotely via app;
- Open with temporary PIN codes;
- Integrated with home automation systems and PMS ;
- Scheduled to activate only at specific times or days;
- Tracked in access logs (who enters, when, with what code).
All this with a certified level of security and perfectly compatible with regulatory requirements.
Operational benefits for accommodation facilities
The cancellation of the obligation to identify in person definitively frees up the energies of managers, allowing them to:
- Automate check-in even for night or out-of-hours arrivals;
- Drastically reduce personnel management costs;
- Increase customer satisfaction through ease of access;
- Integrate locks, sensors and personal data in a continuous and secure digital flow.
Here is a practical example of an automated flow that is legitimized today:
1. The customer books online;
2. Receive a link for remote check-in ;
3. Upload the document and digitally sign;
4. You will receive an access code valid only for the dates of your stay;
5. The code activates the smart lock and sends notification to the system;
6. The management system transmits the data to the Web Accommodation Portal;
7. Everything is tracked, secure, and compliant with the law.
Why even those who produce and sell doors should be interested in this topic
At PorteItaliano, we believe that technological evolution in the hospitality sector is not just about software and apps. Doors, as a structural and security element, are becoming intelligent control centers.
The new needs of the structures:
- Doors compatible with electronic modules and smart locks;
- Invisible but robust systems, integrable into modern environments;
- Materials suitable for external and internal use with certified resistance;
- Silent and reliable solutions to ensure comfort and safety.
More and more customers ask us:
> “Is the door you are installing compatible with Yale smart locks? With Nuki? With Bluetooth modules?”
This is why being up to date is no longer an option, but a requirement for those who work in the world of supplies for hotels, B&Bs and tourist residences.
Data and Trends: The Future is Digital (and Automatic)
According to the most recent studies on the habits of post-Covid travellers:
- Over 70% of customers prefer self check-in ;
- 51% say that a structure with smart access is a decisive plus;
- Properties with self check-in have fewer noshows and better reviews.
This trend is not going to stop. And now that even jurisprudence recognizes its legitimacy, the market itself will reward those who have already complied.
Conclusion: A new season for hotel security
The ruling of the TAR of Lazio is not just a bureaucratic fact. It is an institutional recognition of the transformation taking place in tourism. Self-checkin technologies, remote identification and smart locks are not future solutions: they are the present.
Those who work in the production and sale of doors for hotels and hospitality facilities, today have a precious opportunity: to enter the flow of innovation, offering compatible, intelligent products, in step with the new rules.
Want to learn more about smart locks, compatible doors, or solutions for your facility?
We are here to help you transform every door into a smart, secure, certified access point.
