Italy's highest court has ruled against a tourist who demanded tap water at a five-star hotel in the Dolomites, concluding that there is no legal obligation for hotels or restaurants to serve it. The case, which began in 2019, saw the woman argue that tap water is a universal human right and should be provided free of charge.
The tourist was on a half-board stay at the Hotel in Corvara, Badia, over the Christmas and New Year period. Despite repeatedly asking for tap water with her evening meal and offering to pay, she was instead presented each night with a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water costing €7.
She took legal action, seeking €2,700 in compensation for economic damage and emotional distress. The woman argued that tap water is an integral part of restaurant service, akin to providing a bed with sheets or soap in the bathroom. However, lower courts dismissed her claims, and the Supreme Court of Cassation upheld those decisions.
The court confirmed that no Italian law obliges restaurant managers or hoteliers to serve tap water to customers. The ruling noted that asking for free tap water in Italy is generally considered a breach of etiquette, particularly when bottled water has already been offered.
The case highlights a growing tension between traditional Italian dining customs and increasing environmental awareness, as more customers seek to avoid single-use plastics. Some restaurants have begun offering filtered water, but the legal precedent remains that tap water is not a guaranteed right in commercial establishments.
