In Italy, tourists went to court over a glass of water — BBC
Italian restaurants and cafes have the legal right to refuse to provide their customers with free tap water.
This was reported by the BBC.
The Italian Supreme Court issued this final ruling, putting an end to a long-running legal battle between an outraged tourist and a luxury five-star hotel.
The high-profile legal precedent dates back to the 2019 ski season at the restaurant of the luxury Sassongher Hotel, located in Corvara.
A tourist from Rome ordered water during her vacation, but the waiter offered her only bottled mineral water, which cost 7 euros.
The woman was outraged by the establishment’s policy, as she wanted plain tap water in a glass, and decided to defend her rights in court.
The traveler was firmly convinced that “water is a natural resource and a universal human right.”
Due to the staff’s refusal, she filed a lawsuit demanding that the hotel administration pay 2,700 euros in compensation, citing “emotional distress and financial losses.”
However, the Italian judiciary remained completely unyielding at every stage of the proceedings.
The plaintiff’s claim was initially officially dismissed by the Municipal Court of Rome, and subsequently, the appellate court issued a similar ruling. Now, after nearly seven years of bureaucratic proceedings, the Court of Cassation has put an end to the case.
The judges completely rejected the woman’s claims and ruled that the country’s current laws do not require businesses to provide tap water to guests free of charge.
“The woman claimed she had suffered damages, including financial and moral damages. This was rejected due to a lack of evidence,” the hotel’s lawyer told reporters.
The defendant’s defense team emphasized the absence of any mandatory regulations regarding the free provision of tap water to customers.
The plaintiff attempted to equate a glass of water with basic hotel services—such as “a bed with sheets” and “soap in the bathroom.”
In response, representatives of the establishment explained that serving only certified bottled water is part of the strict internal regulations of most prestigious restaurants.
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