Overview
- The Court of Cassation upheld earlier rulings and found in late April that Italian law does not require bars, restaurants or hotels to provide tap water to customers.
- The case began after a guest at the five‑star Hotel Sassongher in Corvara asked for tap water during a 2019 New Year stay and was repeatedly offered a 0.75L bottle of mineral water priced at about €7.
- The guest sued for roughly €2,700, claiming economic loss and emotional distress and arguing that access to water is a universal right, but her claim was dismissed by a Rome lower court, an appeals court and the Supreme Court.
- Hotel Sassongher said it respects the court’s decision and declined further comment, and the ruling leaves it to individual venues to decide whether to serve tap water.
- The verdict highlights wide national differences in hospitality rules — some countries legally require free tap water on request while EU rules encourage access but do not impose a blanket obligation on restaurants or hotels.