Mandatory Bidet in Italy: Law, Regulations and Real Estate Impact

"The bidet? We'll remove it — that'll give us a bigger bathroom." This is one of the most common things we hear when our clients visit their future home in Italy. The intention is understandable: few people outside Italy use a bidet on a daily basis, and the extra space seems like an obvious gain. Yet this seemingly harmless remark conceals a legal reality that many foreign buyers discover too late: in Italy, the bidet is legally required in residential properties since 1975, on the same footing as the toilet or the washbasin. Removing it without taking precautions — or purchasing a property that doesn't have one — can turn a minor comfort preference into a serious compliance issue, with real consequences at the notary's office, at resale, and even when renting.

"The bidet isn't mandatory": the common misconception that comes at a high price

Let's start with the question we encounter most often: many of our clients arrive in Italy convinced that a bidet is optional equipment — a simple comfort feature they can freely remove once they become owners. This is a perfectly understandable assumption — it is the norm in France, Belgium, Canada, and many other countries — but it does not reflect Italian regulatory reality.

In Italy, a bidet is not a personal preference: it is a legal obligation enshrined in the minimum habitability standards for residential properties. Confusing the two can lead to two costly mistakes: buying a non-compliant property without realising it, or removing the bidet during a renovation and inadvertently making your own home non-compliant. In both cases, the problem typically surfaces at the worst possible moment: during a resale, a rental, or a technical inspection. Our advisory role is precisely to help you avoid this pitfall by clarifying, from the very first viewing, what the law actually says.

The bidet law in Italy: the Ministerial Decree of 5 July 1975

The legal reference on which everything rests is Article 7 of the Ministerial Decree of 5 July 1975 issued by the Ministry of Health (known in Italy as "DM Sanità 5/7/1975" or simply "DM 5 luglio 1975"). This text sets out the minimum characteristics that any residential property must meet regarding sanitary facilities in order to be declared agibile — that is, habitable and compliant.

Article 7 is explicit: for each dwelling, at least one bathroom must mandatorily include a toilet (vaso), a bidet, a washbasin, and a bathtub or shower. This requirement applies across the entire national territory. It is therefore not a recommendation or a local custom, but a national legal obligation in force since 1975.

This decree is supplemented by other regulatory texts, notably DM 236/1989 on accessibility for people with disabilities, as well as the regolamenti edilizi (building regulations) specific to each municipality. These texts may provide for adaptations or alternative solutions in certain specific cases, but they never call into question the fundamental obligation established by the DM 1975.

An important point for understanding the spirit of the law: from the moment the decree came into force, all new construction and all renovations subject to a building permit had to include a bidet in at least one bathroom in order to obtain the habitability certificate (agibilità). This standard has therefore been in place for more than fifty years. Very old properties built before 1975 and never renovated since may be in a situation of non-compliance that has never been subject to systematic inspection — but from the first major renovation (manutenzione straordinaria), compliance becomes mandatory once again.

What the law actually requires: a compliant bathroom

This is where the most misunderstood nuance lies for foreign buyers. Having a compliant bathroom in Italy does not mean that every wet room in the property must be identical. What the DM 1975 requires is that at least one bathroom per dwelling — known as the bagno principale — be equipped with four elements: a toilet, a bidet, a washbasin, and a bathtub or shower.

However, a property may perfectly well have a second bathroom, the bagno di servizio, without a bidet and even without a bathtub or shower. This second wet room only needs to include a toilet and a washbasin. This is why many Italian property listings specify "2 bagni di cui 1 con bidet": the second bathroom is a service bathroom, fully compliant even without a bidet.

This distinction is crucial when assessing a property. A three-room flat with two bathrooms, one of which has no bidet, is perfectly compliant. On the other hand, a property where no bathroom contains a bidet does not meet the national minimum hygiene standards — regardless of its size or level of finish.

Can you remove the bidet? The real risks for property owners

This brings us to the question at the heart of this article: "Can I remove the bidet from my bathroom once I become the owner?" The answer requires some nuance, but the principle is clear.

As long as your property retains at least one fully compliant bathroom, you are free to arrange the other wet rooms however you wish — including removing the bidet, converting a second bathroom into a dressing room, and so on. However, removing the bidet from the only compliant bathroom in the property brings the dwelling into a state of non-compliance with DM 1975. This is not merely an aesthetic issue: you are changing the regulatory status of your property.

In practical terms, a property in which no bathroom contains a bidet faces several potential difficulties:

• An inconsistency with the agibilità: if the habitability certificate attests to compliance with sanitary standards that the property no longer meets in practice, the situation will need to be regularised.
• A potential obstacle at resale: the surveyor appointed by the buyer or their bank may identify the non-compliance and require remediation before the sale can proceed.
• Problematic declarations in the notarial deed (rogito), in which the seller confirms the urban planning and sanitary compliance of the property.

Our advisory recommendation is straightforward: if a bidet feels inconvenient in your daily life, don't simply remove it. Replace it with a recognised equivalent solution (see the next section), which preserves the property's compliance while freeing up space. This way, you retain the comfort you are looking for without compromising the value or saleability of your home.

Studios and small spaces: permitted alternatives

A common question concerns monolocali (studio flats) and small spaces. Does the same rule apply to a 28 m² studio as to a 120 m² family apartment? In principle, yes: even in a studio, at least one bathroom must include a bidet. However, the regulations do provide for alternative solutions for very constrained spaces and for bathrooms adapted for people with reduced mobility (DM 236/1989).

In such cases, the bidet may be replaced by an equivalent device, including:

• A combined WC-bidet (a toilet seat with an integrated shower function, sometimes called a "washlet")
• A flexible wall-mounted shower hose installed near the toilet
• Any other device providing an equivalent level of personal hygiene

These solutions do not represent a legal grey area but an official regulatory adaptation: they must be explicitly planned and documented as part of the works. This is exactly the approach we recommend to owners who wish to gain space without falling foul of the rules. The complete absence of a bidet or equivalent in a new or recently renovated studio remains a non-compliance issue.

Minimum clearance distances set by technical standards must also be respected: the bidet must be placed approximately 20 cm from the side wall, with 50 cm of free space in front of it, and a distance of approximately 15 to 20 cm between the centrelines of the toilet and the bidet. These dimensional constraints explain why compact solutions are often preferred in smaller bathrooms.

Selling or renting a property without a bidet: the real risks

This is one of the most delicate situations we encounter when advising foreign buyers — and it concerns both sellers and prospective landlords alike.

When it comes to selling, a property in which no bathroom contains a bidet may create difficulties with the attestazione di agibilità (habitability certificate), with the compliance declarations the seller makes in the notarial deed, and in the event of a subsequent dispute if the buyer discovers the non-compliance after signing. In practice, such properties do exist and are sold, but their situation must be identified, documented, and factored into the price negotiation.

For rentals, the same habitability rules apply. For a property to be legally offered for residential rental, it must comply with the minimum standards of DM 1975, which includes the presence of a bidet (or an equivalent solution) in at least one bathroom. A landlord who rents out a non-compliant property risks legal challenges from the tenant, particularly in the event of a dispute over the condition of the dwelling. The most prudent approach for an owner is to ensure that the property is a norma (compliant) before putting it on the rental market.

Buying a property without a bidet: our advisory approach

When one of our clients discovers that a property they are interested in has no bidet in its main bathroom, the first reaction is often concern. Let us reassure them straight away: in the vast majority of cases, this is a manageable situation, provided it is anticipated. Here is the approach we apply systematically.

1. Bring in a technical specialist before signing the preliminary purchase agreement: a surveyor (geometra), architect, or engineer assesses whether the bathroom can be brought into compliance and at what cost. Installing a standard bidet in an existing bathroom typically costs between €200 and €800, depending on the plumbing work required.
2. Ask the notary to verify the agibilità: the notary checks whether the habitability certificate is in order and whether the non-compliance needs to be regularised before or after the sale.
3. Negotiate the price accordingly: if compliance work is required, its cost should be reflected in the negotiation.
4. Plan the compliance works promptly: once you become the owner, carry out the works without delay so that the property is fully compliant — this protects its value and facilitates any future resale or rental.

We systematically recommend having the property documents verified by a qualified professional, and consulting our guide on the steps involved in buying a house in Italy to identify exactly when these checks should take place in your purchase process.

Summary: the compliant bathroom (a norma) in Italy

For a bathroom to be considered a norma (compliant) under DM 5/7/1975, it must meet both equipment requirements and dimensional standards. Here are the criteria applicable to the bagno principale:

These standards apply to new construction and to renovations subject to a building permit. For older buildings that have not been renovated, the situation may be more complex — all the more reason to engage a qualified technical specialist before any purchase. If you are planning to establish your primary residence in Italy, we also invite you to consult our article on the Italy tax residency and the tax treaty.

Conclusion

The key message can be summed up in one sentence: in Italy, the bidet is not a matter of personal taste — it is a legal obligation that determines whether your property is compliant and habitable. Assuming it can be removed without consequence is the most common mistake made by foreign buyers, and one of the easiest to avoid. As long as at least one bathroom remains complete and compliant, you retain full freedom to arrange the rest of the property as you wish, and recognised equivalent solutions exist to save space without falling foul of the regulations. Before any purchase, the single most important step is to have the agibilità and the property's compliance verified by a qualified technical specialist and by the notary: this check, carried out at the right moment, turns a potential source of anxiety into a straightforward and manageable formality.

Frequently asked questions

Is the bidet really required by law in Italy?

Yes. Article 7 of the Ministerial Decree of 5 July 1975 (DM Sanità 5/7/1975) requires that at least one bathroom per dwelling be equipped with a toilet, a bidet, a washbasin, and a bathtub or shower. This is a national legal obligation in force since 1975, applicable to any residential property built or renovated under a building permit. Without a bidet in at least one bathroom, the property cannot be declared compliant with the minimum hygiene standards or obtain the habitability certificate (agibilità).

Can you remove the bidet from your bathroom in Italy?

It depends. As long as the property retains at least one fully compliant bathroom (toilet, bidet, washbasin, bathtub or shower), you are free to arrange the other wet rooms however you wish, including removing the bidet. However, removing the bidet from the only compliant bathroom renders the property non-compliant with DM 1975, with potential consequences for the agibilità, resale, and rental. The recommended solution is to replace it with a recognised equivalent (combined WC-bidet, wall-mounted shower hose) rather than removing it entirely.

Can you buy a house in Italy that has no bidet?

Technically yes, as some older or modified properties on the market are in this situation. However, such a property does not comply with national habitability standards (DM 5/7/1975). Before purchasing, it is strongly recommended to have the situation assessed by a qualified technical specialist (surveyor, architect, or engineer) and to consult the notary regarding the status of the agibilità. The cost of bringing the property into compliance is generally between €200 and €800, depending on the plumbing work required.

Is the bidet required for renting out a flat in Italy?

Yes. Habitability standards apply to rentals as well as sales. For a property to be legally rented as a residential dwelling, it must comply with the minimum standards of DM 5/7/1975, which includes the presence of a bidet in at least one bathroom. A landlord who rents out a property in which no bathroom contains a bidet (or a recognised equivalent solution) would be exposed to legal challenges from the tenant.

Does a studio flat (monolocale) also need to have a bidet?

In principle, yes: even in a studio flat, the regulations require at least one bathroom to include a bidet. However, for very small spaces or bathrooms adapted for people with reduced mobility, the law permits recognised equivalent solutions, such as a combined WC-bidet or a flexible wall-mounted shower hose. These solutions must be duly planned and documented. The complete absence of a bidet or equivalent in a new or recently renovated studio remains a non-compliance issue.

What alternatives to a standard bidet are accepted under Italian regulations?

For properties where space is limited, or for bathrooms adapted for people with disabilities, the regulations (notably DM 236/1989) permit equivalent solutions: a combined WC-bidet (a toilet seat with an integrated shower function, or "washlet"), a flexible wall-mounted shower hose installed near the toilet, or any other device providing an equivalent level of personal hygiene. These alternatives must be explicitly documented as part of the works and must meet the functional requirements of DM 1975.