Italy - Restrictions

Fishing:

Spear fishing is popular in Italy although the rules date from many years ago and have not been updated. To get a good idea of what you can and cannot do, see this useful website.

Charters:

It is illegal for foreign yachts to charter in Italy. However, if one arrives with a charter party from abroad, one can obtain the base cost in the usual way. Neither the crew nor the charter party may be changed while in Italian waters.

Straits of Messina:

If transiting the Strait of Messina, be sure to contact the Authorities prior to transit to advise them of your movements. Boats have reported being stopped by the Coast Guard, in particular when trying to cross the VTS and fined for not giving advance notification. See this report for more details.

Anchoring:

Anchoring is not permitted in the Strait of Messina. If anchoring in case of emergency, be sure to report where you are anchored to avoid large fines. Read the Messina Strait VTS User Manual for more information.

There are anchoring restrictions all around the Italian coast. There is no anchoring within 200 meters of a beach or within 100 meters of the coast elsewhere. See this report for more details. This rule can often be seen to be flouted, particularly during the high season, but it is a law which is increasingly being enforced, and can attract a fine several hundred euros.

The Guardia Costieri in Sicily are reported to be issuing anchoring fines as well - see comment here.

Marine Protected Areas:

http://www.parks.it

Italy has 30 protected marine areas of environmental interest. See the website for details on all the areas (in English) with links to the rules for each area. Some zones don't permit yachts, anchoring, scuba, swimming or watersports, other zones are more accommodating.

Other Laws:

• Swimming is not permitted in any Italian harbour (there are hefty fines).
• It is against Italian law to motorsail within 300m of the shore, except when entering or leaving a harbour.
• A crackdown on the sellers and buyers of counterfeit items, i.e. purses, sunglasses, watches and belts, bearing luxury labels such as Prada, Gucci, Fendi and many others, now means that criminal charges may be brought against people caught purchasing counterfeit products with fines up to 10,000 Euros.

Last updated:  February 2024