A tourist in Italy has lost a court case after taking legal action against a five-star hotel in the Dolomites for refusing to provide her with tap water. The incident occurred in 2019 when the woman was dining at the Hotel Sassongher and was offered bottled mineral water costing €7 (£6). Dissatisfied with this service, she sought €2,700 (£2,338) in compensation, arguing that access to water is a universal human right and that her consumer rights had been violated.
Court Ruling
Italy's Supreme Court ultimately denied her claim, ruling that Italian law does not oblige restaurants or hotels to provide tap water to customers. Unlike countries such as France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, where serving tap water is legally mandated in many establishments, Italian law does not require this practice. In Italy, serving tap water remains uncommon and is considered a voluntary gesture by hospitality providers.
Legal Context
The court's decision highlights the differences in consumer rights across European nations. While the tourist argued that water is a fundamental human right, the court determined that Italian legislation does not impose a duty on businesses to offer free tap water. The ruling underscores that customers must accept the terms set by establishments regarding beverage service.
This case has sparked discussions about water access and consumer rights in Italy, but the legal precedent remains clear: hotels and restaurants are not compelled to serve tap water unless they choose to do so.
