A court in Italy has ruled that hotels may refuse to serve tap water to guests, a decision that has stirred debate about hospitality practices across Europe. But sources confirm to this desk: the ruling has no bearing on UK law, where serving tap water remains a legal requirement for licensed premises.
The verdict, handed down by a civil court in Rome, stemmed from a dispute at a hotel near the Trevi Fountain. A guest complained after being told they could not have a free glass of tap water. The court sided with the hotel, citing business freedom and the absence of a statutory obligation to give away water for nothing. Italian consumer groups were swift to condemn the decision.
Yet for anyone in search of a scandal on British soil, this is a false lead. Under the Licensing Act 2003, any premise in England and Wales that sells alcohol must provide free drinking water on request. The rule is simple and enforced. Scotland has similar provisions. The Italian ruling does not touch that legal reality.
So why the fuss? The story has been trailed as a threat to consumer rights, a slippery slope towards profit at all costs. But my sources in the hospitality industry and consumer law say that is hyperbolic. The Italian decision is about Italian law. It reflects a different legal tradition where commercial freedom is often weighted above consumer expectation. In Britain, the default assumption is different.
I have seen enough documents and cross-border rulings to know that what happens in Rome does not always stay in Rome. Legal frameworks can shift, especially under pressure from corporate lobbyists. But this ruling is narrow. It applies to one hotel and one interpretation of Italian civil code. It does not create a precedent for UK courts, and no barrister worth their fee would argue otherwise.
Still, the episode is a reminder of how fragile consumer protections can be. In Italy, no clear law forces restaurants or hotels to serve tap water. In the UK, there is a law. But laws can be amended. Industry bodies have in the past lobbied for watering down requirements on free water, citing costs and hygiene. So far, those efforts have failed. But the Italian case gives them new ammunition.
The real story here is not about thirsty tourists. It is about the slow erosion of public rights in the name of business convenience. I have followed the money in these battles before. The same voices that lobby against free tap water are often connected to bottling companies and soft drink vendors. They want to commodify every drop. The Italian court has handed them a talking point, not a victory.
For now, if you are in London or Manchester, you can still walk into any pub and ask for a glass of tap water. The bartender might grumble, but the law is on your side. Do not let headlines from Rome fool you into thinking otherwise. But do not be complacent either. The next ruling could come closer to home.
As always, follow the money. Watch the lobbying registers. And never trust anyone in a suit who tells you that free water is bad for business. The bodies are buried in the small print.
