“As is well known [sic], art. 1 of Decree of the Crown no. 246/1938 provides that “Anyone holding one or more of the following items of equipment which are suitable or can be adaptable for the reception of “radioaudizioni” (intepreted as TV radio signals) must pay the licence fee, in accordance with the rules set out in the decree. The presence of aerial equipment capable of capturing or transmitting electrical waves or a suitable device replacing the aerial installation, i.e. internal lines for the operation of radioelectric devices, gives rise to the presumption of the possession or use of a radio-receiver equipment.”
The Italian TV licence fee is usually collected via your electricity company’s bills.
The annual licence fee is for 2024 Euro 70, reduced from Euro 90 for the previous year. Special rules apply for TV equipment in business premises (bars, hotels, B & B’s, shops etc.)
The licence fee is due if you possess (even if you do not use it) TV receiving equipment whether or not you actually watch the RAI channels. Pecuniary sanctions for non payment range from Euro 103,29 to Euro 516,45 e. criminal sanctions may apply to false declarations.
The question of what constitutes TV receiving equipment is a contentious one. It appears to be agreed (although new decisions and interpretations from the authorities may change) that the mere ownership of a computer without a tuner (sintonizzatore) or decoder designed to be used to receive TV signals. So watching TV on a computer or smartphone via the internet, e.g. RAI Play, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video etc. may not in itself give rise to requirement to pay the licence fee.
Also
- The mere ownership of radio equipment in a family situation does not require a licence.
- Owners/Occupiers of homes in Italy are liable to the fee if their home in Italy has a television set or other receiving equipment.
- One licence fee is due by each family unit (this is the family unit as registered at the Comune).
Exemptions
A number of specific exemptions for certain categories of person, even if they own TV receiving equipment.
- People over 75 and with a household income under Euro 8,000 per annum are exempt,
- members of the military and diplomats covered by a relevant international treaty.
- diplomatic representatives under the Vienna Convention of 18 April 18, 1961
- consular officers or employees under the Vienna Convention of 1963
- officials of international organizations, exempt under a specific applicable headquarters agreement
- military personnel of non-Italian nationality or non Italian resident civilian personnel and who do not possess Italian nationality belonging to NATO forces stationed in Italy (London Convention of 19 June 1951).
Exemption must however be claimed by filing the relevant forms.
Request for Exemption
If you do not possess the relevant TV reception kit, or meet the conditions for exemption you can make an application to claim exemption of the fee charged by your electricity supplier.
You can make a declaration stating that you do not possess any equipment and are therefore exempt, “dichiarazione sostitutiva”. This can be done:
- through the web application (requires a SPID or digital ID card)
- through qualified intermediaries (CAF/Patronato, accountants, etc.)
- by registered mail with recorded delivery without envelope, to the address: Agenzia delle entrate – Direzione Provinciale I di Torino – Ufficio Canone TV – Casella postale 22 – 10121 Torino. It is necessary, in this case, to attach a valid identification document
- via certified electronic mail (PEC), provided that the declaration itself is signed by authorized digital signature to cp22.canonetv@postacertificata.rai.it
The declaration is valid for one year and can only be submitted by the person named on the residential household electricity bill (except for heirs of deceased person).
The declaration must be submitted:
- After 1 July and before 31 January of the following year for exemption of payment for the entire following year (e.g., a declaration submitted in November 2019 will be effective for all of 2020)
- After 1 February and before 30 June for waiver of payment for the second half of the same year (for example, a declaration filed in May 2020 will be effective for the second half of 2020).
Refunds
If you have paid the Licence Fee through your energy bill you can apply for a refund of the Fee for private use by filling out the appropriate form
Citizens over 75 years of age who have paid the fee while meeting the legal requirements to benefit from the exemption (own and spouse’s annual income not exceeding 8,000 euros , with no cohabitants who have their own income – except for domestic workers, domestic helpers and caregivers), may, alternatively, use the special form.
Almost cheaper to pay the fee
Oggetto: Informazioni sui costi legati all’utilizzo della TV
Spero che questo messaggio vi trovi bene.
Avrei una domanda riguardante i costi legati all’utilizzo della televisione. Il numero di ore in cui guardiamo la TV e cambiamo canali influisce sul costo del nostro abbonamento annuale, oppure paghiamo semplicemente una quota fissa indipendentemente dall’uso?
Grazie mille per il vostro tempo e la vostra disponibilità. Attendo con interesse la vostra risposta.
Cordiali saluti,
Mehrdad Aleagha
Buongiorno Mehrdad Aleagha
L’obbligo al pagamento del canone deriva dalla detenzione di uno o più televisori abilitati a ricevere il segnale audio/video attraverso la piattaforma terrestre e/o satellitare, indipendentemente dalla qualità o quantità di utilizzo.
https://www.agenziaentrate.gov.it/portale/Aree+tematiche/Canone+TV/#:~:text=Il%20canone%2C%20quindi%2C%20non%20potr%C3%A0,2023%2C%20n.%20213).
https://canonerai.enel.it/chi-deve-pagare.html