Italy's highest court has ruled that restaurants and bars, including in hotels, are not required to serve tap water to guests, after dismissing a case brought by a tourist who sued a luxury hotel after being refused it.
The dispute dates back to 2019 at Hotel Sassongher, a five-star Dolomites hotel in Corvara. During a week-long stay, the tourist claimed she was repeatedly denied tap water in the hotel's restaurant and was instead offered bottled mineral water priced at €7 (US$8.15).
In Reuters and BBC reports citing local news outlets, the guest had argued that water is a natural resource and “universal human right”, as well as being an integral part of service.
The tourist later sought more than €2,700 in damages for “economic damage and emotional distress”.
However, the claim was rejected by lower courts and subsequently dismissed by Italy's supreme court of cassation.
The high court noted that no Italian law obliges venues such as bars or restaurants to serve tap water to customers.
There is also no single European law requiring all member states to provide free tap water on request.