Originally Posted by
MePlatPremier
As I recall, Italian law requires any homeowner hosting a guest for more than a few days (even a non commercial guest, as a friend or a visiting relative) to report the guest’s personal details to the local police office. Failure to do so results in heavy fines, although the law is not always enforced. There are special forms for this purpose that can be bought on pretty much any newsstand.
I travel to Italy regularly. While it is true that hotels always used to require to see and photocopy your passport, I would say that in 50% of my stays that no longer happens. Either the law has relaxed, or the hotels themselves have decided not always to bother. I also suspect that guests in Europe with European Union passports might be exempt now..