Italy
Contents
- Legislative Decree No. 257/2016 (transposing Directive 2014/94/EU) - Ministerial Decree of 3 August 2017 - D.P.C.M. 1 February 2018 (Program Agreement) - Decree Law 16 July 2020, no. 76 - Decree of the Ministry of Ecological Transition of 25 August 2021 - PNIRE 2021 update - Ministerial Decree of June 12, 2024 (EV Recharge stations bonus)
Legislative Decree No. 257/2016 (transposing Directive 2014/94/EU)
What is the regulation?
Legislative Decree No. 257/2016 marks Italy’s first comprehensive transposition of Directive 2014/94/EU on alternative fuels, including electric vehicle charging infrastructures. Its main aim is to foster sustainable transport systems, reduce reliance on traditional fuels, and curb pollutant emissions. Specifically, regarding charging points, the decree seeks to establish clear rules to promote the creation of publicly accessible charging networks, while addressing urban planning and construction issues.
It introduces a national strategy outlining deadlines and methods for enhancing charging stations, alongside requirements for regional and municipal plan updates. The decree also mandates a National Infrastructure Plan that sets out technical standards and guidelines for installing and managing charging stations. In this framework, it emphasises developing interoperable networks with shared protocols to allow charging for different types of electric vehicles.
The key principle is to ensure widespread coverage of charging points for citizens, to support businesses through the transition, and to uphold safety and uniform standards in design and installation. As such, Decree 257/2016 is regarded as foundational to subsequent measures on electric mobility, spurring public and private investment and incentivising end users.
Who do the regulations apply to?
The decree addresses a broad spectrum of public and private entities, aiming to build an integrated system of charging infrastructures. First, national, regional, and local authorities must align their urban planning and energy policies with it. Regional and municipal administrations must integrate the decree’s provisions into planning measures that encourage a strong presence of charging points in their territories.
Network infrastructure managers also fall within its scope, collaborating with charging service operators, which include energy companies, mobility service providers, specialised firms, and any economic operator interested in installing chargers on public or publicly used private land.
Developers and owners of buildings or service stations are equally affected: new buildings or significant renovations must include provisions for installing charging points, based on determined technical guidelines. Additionally, large traditional fuel stations and commercial operators with large parking areas may be required to introduce and publicise charging points, ultimately encouraging people to embrace electric vehicles and facilitating everyday EV use.
What are the requirements?
Legislative Decree No. 257/2016 sets out technical, procedural, and administrative obligations designed to ensure effective, uniform deployment of EV charging infrastructures.
Technically, charging stations must employ standardised connectors to achieve full interoperability among different electric vehicle brands. In accordance with European standards, stations must provide, for instance, Type 2 outlets for AC and CSS Combo 2 for DC charging. Public charging stations must also include “smart” features, allowing remote oversight and control.
Regarding power output, the decree supports charging infrastructure ranging from normal power (up to 22 kW) to high power (above 22 kW, including “fast” or “ultra-fast” solutions). All stations must comply with CEI (Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano) safety criteria and include metering systems that track delivered energy.
Procedurally, it simplifies certain construction and planning authorisations: for example, installing charging columns on public land can often be designated as “free building work” or subject to simplified approvals if it respects municipal mobility plans. Likewise, the decree requires new service stations or major renovations to plan for installing EV charging points.
Moreover, it compels authorities to devise a National Infrastructure Plan for alternative fuels, setting incremental targets for how many charging points to deploy and where (e.g., in urban areas or along major roadways). Regions must align their plans with this framework.
The decree additionally offers economic measures, such as grants or tax incentives, for infrastructure installers and EV users. Finally, the requirements also emphasise transparent pricing: charging costs must be clearly stated, guaranteeing users adequate information.
Who enforces the regulations?
Enforcement of Legislative Decree No. 257/2016 is distributed across multiple institutional levels, based on assigned powers. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (often referred to by its updated name MIMS) provides overarching direction and coordinates the National Infrastructure Plan and associated technical guidelines. It allocates funding and monitors overall implementation. Simultaneously, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and Environment (ARERA) adopts regulatory measures to facilitate the connection of charging points to the electricity grid and verifies compliance with these provisions.
At local level Regions and Autonomous Provinces ensure that the decree’s provisions are integrated into local mobility plans and building regulations, manage authorisations for installing EV chargers on public land in collaboration with municipalities, and check that new construction projects comply with the decree.
Municipalities, in turn, exert direct control over project sites, reviewing urban planning or building permits needed for new infrastructures.
Ministerial Decree of 3 August 2017
What is the regulation?
Issued by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport together with the Ministry of the Environment and Protection of Land and Sea, the Ministerial Decree of 3 August 2017, sets out the declarations, certifications, affidavits, and technical documents to be submitted with the certified notification of commencement of activities for the construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, pursuant to Article 23, paragraphs 2-bis and 2-ter, of Decree-Law No. 9 of 9 February 2012, 5, converted by Law No. 35 of 4 April 2012.
Aiming to simplify the authorisation process, the decree clarifies each step of planning, installation, and testing, with countrywide guidance. It requires adherence to European electrical safety standards and regulates minimum power thresholds for proper grid integration. Relative to Legislative Decree 257/2016, this law adds implementing details, clarifying, for instance, how to apply for public land occupancy or how charging stations should be designed at planimetric level.
Who do the regulations apply to? This decree primarily affects anyone installing EV charge points, including businesses, construction companies, individual citizens (on private property), municipal governments, and utility companies. It strongly influences all relevant players in authorisation procedures: municipal technical offices, engineers, architects, and others.
Installers, property owners, and public-space managers must produce the documented plans mandated by the decree and submit them under SCIA. Also governed by the rules are grid operators and energy service providers, which handle connections to the electrical grid and the technical feasibility of charging stations.
Municipalities are similarly bound by the decree, as they cannot create local regulations that run counter to its simplified procedures. Instead, local authorities must adopt its provisions into building codes and permitting processes for new EV charging infrastructure projects. Consequently, through establishing a uniform “language” nationwide, the Ministerial Decree serves to standardise the required steps, keep timelines consistent, and coordinate solutions among involved parties.
What are the requirements?
Under the terms of the Ministerial Decree of 3 August 2017, a set of documentary and technical standards must be met to ensure correct installation of EV charging stations. Applicants must attach thorough technical documentation to the SCIA, including explanatory reports, scaled drawings, lists of any building work, descriptions of electrical systems, and safety measures. Stated also must be the charge station type and power rate (e.g., 7, 11, 22 kW, or fast-charging), plus the possibility of future power upgrades.
When the installation of charging points involves private buildings and areas, even if open to public use, it remains a free activity not subject to authorisation or certified notification of commencement of activity if the following requirements and conditions are met: a) the charging point does not require a new connection to the electricity distribution network or a modification of the existing connection; b) the charging point complies with current technical and safety standards; c) the charging point is installed by a qualified person in accordance with electrical safety regulations; d) the installer must issue a certificate of conformity of the installation and its operation with electrical safety standards.
Who enforces the regulations?
Local technical bodies (municipal planning and building offices) bear primary responsibility for enforcing the Ministerial Decree of 3 August 2017. Their tasks include receiving SCIA applications, verifying that the requisite documentation complies with the decree’s safety and architectural mandates.
If the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is in areas subject to restrictions, the documentation required by national, regional and/or local regulations must be provided.
D.P.C.M. 1 February 2018 (Program Agreement)
What is the regulation?
The Prime Ministerial Decree (D.P.C.M.) dated 1 February 2018, implements the nation-wide “Program Agreement” to develop Italy’s charging infrastructure, in line with Legislative Decree 257/2016.The agreement was signed between the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and 19 local authorities: 17 regions (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta, Veneto) and the two autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano.
The Agreement aims to identify the action plans prepared by the Regions and Autonomous Provinces for the creation of widespread charging networks throughout the country, with a view to promoting the use of electric vehicles. These measures are part of the development of sustainable mobility, promoting electric charging infrastructure and the use of low-emission public and private fleets, with a particular focus on urban areas.
The Agreement’s twofold aim is to swiftly create a uniform charging infrastructure throughout the country, especially along trans-European corridors and extra-urban routes, and to encourage competition among innovative, cost-effective deployment plans. Its core purpose is thus to make public and private investments more appealing, bridging infrastructural or digital gaps, and providing reliable, safe, and widely interoperable charging services.
Who do the regulations apply to?
Since it is a Program Agreement, the D.P.C.M. of 1 February 2018, primarily tasks the regions with applying or submitting charging development strategies to secure dedicated state finances. Private sector entities—often energy or e-mobility providers—are also involved, bringing forward project proposals, forming public‐private partnerships, and negotiating with single municipalities.
The agreement refers to ‘Implementing Entities’ that receive guidelines and directives from the Regions/Autonomous Provinces. Although not explicitly specified, the municipalities among these implementing entities are responsible for the concrete implementation of the infrastructure in the territory. Owners or concessionaires of public roads (ANAS, highway operators) must also comply since they host EV charging sites along major corridors.
What are the requirements?
The D.P.C.M. of 1 February 2018 lays out eligibility conditions for receiving government funding. First, regions (or grouped public-private entities) must present a thorough plan outlining:
- Locations of chargers, giving priority to key transport links or high-traffic sites
- Types of chargers (standard, fast, ultra-fast) and their power outputs
- Envisioned timeline for construction and start-up
- Fiscal viability, with cost estimates, predicted revenues, and positive externalities
Strategy for ongoing maintenance and operational management, including payment systems and interoperability Article 4 of the agreement specifies the elements eligible for funding:
- Drafting of the electric mobility programme
- Design of charging sites
- Purchase and installation of equipment (including the work necessary for commissioning)
- Communication campaign aimed at informing users
Furthermore, the value of the component relating to the purchase and installation of equipment must not be less than 70% of the total value of the project.
Who enforces the regulations?
Oversight of the D.P.C.M. of 1 February 2018 is multi-tiered. The parties responsible for the Agreement are identified as the Director General for Territorial Development, Planning and International Projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Directors General of the relevant departments for the Regions and Autonomous Provinces involved. The parties responsible for the Agreement shall, in consultation with those responsible for the individual measures, promote any actions and initiatives necessary to ensure compliance with the commitments set out in this Agreement.
In particular, in implementing this agreement, the Ministry shall: i) verify the progress of activities, with the possibility of requesting explanatory reports or justifications in the event of critical issues and significant delays; ii) censoring the interventions and progressively updating their state of implementation, using as a primary source the results of the operational monitoring developed by the Regions/Autonomous Provinces and any additional documentation made available by the Regions/Autonomous Provinces themselves; iii) evaluating the results and effects of the measures put in place on the basis of the available data.
The autonomous region/province also exercises control, supervision and oversight functions, providing implementing bodies with guidelines and directives to ensure the correct and timely performance of their activities, as well as monitoring the status and implementation of projects eligible for funding. As part of its monitoring activities, the Autonomous Region/Province draws up a report on the state of implementation of the measures.
Decree Law 16 July 2020, no. 76
What is the regulation?
Decree-Law No. 76/2020 converted into Law No. 120 of 11 September 2020 has a significant impact on the procedures for the construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The aim is to speed up installation times by reducing bureaucratic obstacles and strengthening cooperation between local authorities and private operators.
Among the key measures, the law provides for the simplification of building permits: in many cases, for the installation of charging stations on public or private land for public use, it is no longer necessary to initiate complex procedures or submit the application to multiple service conferences
Law 120/2020 also introduces economic incentives. Municipalities may provide reductions or exemptions from public land occupancy fees for charging points that supply energy from renewable sources. ARERA must define specific tariff measures for publicly accessible charging points.
Who do the regulations apply to?
Law 120/2020, as an administrative simplification measure, is aimed at both the public administration and private operators. Municipalities and regions must adapt their building and urban planning regulations, simplifying the forms required and reducing the time taken to issue authorisations or any building permits.
Private entities are also involved, as municipalities may allow public and private entities to build and manage charging infrastructure on the basis of a competitive procedure and also considering that the installation of charging points in buildings and private areas, including those open to public use, remains a free activity, not subject to authorisation or certified notification of commencement of activity, notification of commencement of works, declaration of completion of works or testing or any other act or measure.
What are the requirements?
Law No. 120/2020 introduces several simplified provisions for charging infrastructure. A key point is the inclusion of the installation of charging stations in the categories of building works that are exempt from planning permission or subject to simplified procedures, provided that the shape or volume of existing buildings is not altered. This reduces the obligation to submit complex authorisations, such as building permits.
In addition to the administrative aspects, the regulation sets out installation requirements but does not specify population thresholds. For example, to ensure an adequate number of charging stations, regions must provide for the installation of at least one charging point per 1,000 inhabitants.
The law also refers to the need for interoperability: technical data on tariffs and charging methods must be publicly available to guarantee freedom of choice for end users. Charging infrastructure must be accessible to all road users on a non-discriminatory basis, and tariff measures applicable to electricity supply points and the conditions of use of the relevant infrastructure are defined.
Who enforces the regulations?
At the local level, municipalities remain the key players in building and urban planning control: regulate the installation, construction and management of charging infrastructure and may grant authorisations or concessions, including on a non-exclusive basis, to public and private entities for the construction and management of charging infrastructure.
At the central level, ARERA can carry out checks on tariffs and service standards. Overall, the supervisory system is designed to facilitate the timely installation of charging stations and ensure the safety and quality of the works carried out. The authority defines the tariff measures applicable to electricity withdrawal points, the methods of use of the related infrastructure and may also provide for transitional remuneration, according to criteria of gradualness.
Decree of the Ministry of Ecological Transition of 25 August 2021 - PNIRE 2021 update (National Infrastructure Plan for Charging)
What is the regulation?
Decree of the Ministry of Ecological Transition of 25 August 2021 regulates the provision of grants for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The decree represents a specific measure for the implementation of the National Infrastructure Plan for Electric Vehicle Charging (PNIRE) through economic incentives, with capital grants equal to 40% of eligible expenses.
The is the main strategic planning tool in Italy for the development of charging stations. The first version dates back to 2012 and was updated in 2016; in 2021, it was further revised to adapt the objectives to the new European context and ambitious decarbonisation targets.
The decree provides precise limits for the costs of different types of charging infrastructure, which is useful for assessing the economic feasibility of investments, and establishes minimum technical requirements for funded charging infrastructure, ensuring high quality standards.
Integration with the Single National Platform (PUN) is planned for the sharing of information on publicly accessible infrastructure, and the National Agency Invitalia will manage the disbursement of grants, with digitised procedures to simplify access to incentives.
Who do the regulations apply to?
The decree applies specifically to companies of any size that are duly incorporated and registered in the Register of Companies, operating in all sectors and with registered office or local unit on Italian territory. Among the beneficiaries of the contributions are also professionals, understood as natural persons practising arts and professions and holders of VAT numbers.
The decree provides for a precise allocation of available resources by category of beneficiary:
- 80% of resources: reserved for companies for the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure with a total value of less than €375,000
- 10% of resources: allocated to companies for the purchase and installation of infrastructure with a value equal to or greater than €375,000
- 10% of resources: allocated to professionals for the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure.
What are the requirements?
To be eligible for grants, companies must:
- be legally established and registered as active in the Register of Companies.
- not be in voluntary liquidation or subject to insolvency proceedings.
- not be among the companies that have received and not repaid aid declared illegal or incompatible by the European Commission.
- be subject to ordinary accounting rules.
There are also eligibility requirements for professionals. They must:
- be duly registered with the relevant professional association/body
- have an active VAT number
- not be subject to disqualifying sanctions.
It’s important to highlight that this incentive program offers concrete financial support, structured as a capital contribution covering 40% of eligible expenses. This means that beneficiaries will see a significant reduction in the initial investment needed for installing charging infrastructure.
Naturally, as often happens with public funding, there are certain conditions that must be respected over time. Beneficiaries commit to keeping the infrastructure available for a minimum period of 5 years from the date they receive the contribution, thus ensuring service continuity and the durability of the public investment.
During this period, those who have received funds must be cooperative in the event of verifications: the competent authorities may conduct checks and inspections to ensure that everything complies with the provisions of the decree and that the infrastructure is operational and properly maintained.
A particularly interesting aspect concerns publicly accessible charging infrastructure. In these cases, beneficiaries are required to share detailed information with the National Unified Platform (PUN), feeding a centralised information system that allows electric vehicle users to easily identify available charging points. The information to be transmitted includes the precise geographical location of the charging stations, their technological specifications, access methods, deliverable power, and real-time operational status of the charging point.
Who enforces the regulations?
Several entities are responsible for enforcing different aspects of the regulation. At the apex of this governance structure stands the Ministry of Ecological Transition, which serves as the cornerstone regulatory authority. Having issued the decree itself, the Ministry maintains overarching supervision of the program's implementation. Its responsibilities extend beyond mere oversight; the Ministry actively shapes the regulatory landscape and establishes the strategic policy direction that guides all aspects of the initiative. This top-level stewardship ensures alignment with Italy's broader environmental goals and international commitments.
The practical, day-to-day management of the program falls to Invitalia, the National Agency for Inward Investment and Economic Development. This specialised body forms the operational backbone of the initiative, handling the intricate web of procedures necessary for its success. Invitalia's multifaceted role encompasses the entire lifecycle of applications - from managing the initial submission process to conducting thorough eligibility assessments. Once applications are approved, Invitalia continues its involvement by processing and disbursing the financial contributions that make these infrastructure projects possible. Their responsibility doesn't end with payment, however, as they also conduct meticulous administrative reviews of documentation submitted by beneficiaries, ensuring complete compliance with the decree's requirements.
Ministerial Decree of June 12, 2024 (EV Recharge stations bonus)
What is the regulation?
The Decree, officially issued on June 12, 2024, by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, establishes a comprehensive incentive scheme to support the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charging stations for private individuals and condominium buildings in Italy. This regulation represents a targeted effort to address one of the key barriers to EV adoption: the availability of convenient home charging solutions. The decree allocates specific funding for reimbursements related to charging station installations completed during the 2024 calendar year.
The regulation creates a structured framework for financial support, offering reimbursements of up to 80% of the expenses incurred for purchasing and installing home charging stations, with a maximum contribution of €1,500 for individual installations and up to €8,000 for installations in common areas of residential buildings. It establishes different incentive levels based on the charging power and type of installation, providing higher incentives for more powerful charging solutions and shared installations that benefit multiple users.
The Decree also addresses procedural aspects, defining the application process, eligibility criteria, and documentation requirements for accessing the incentives. It establishes a dedicated digital platform managed by Invitalia (the National Agency for Inward Investment and Economic Development) for submitting applications and processing reimbursements. By simplifying the administrative process and providing substantial financial support, the regulation aims to accelerate the adoption of home charging solutions, complementing the development of public charging infrastructure and creating a more comprehensive ecosystem for electric mobility in Italy.
Who do the regulations apply to?
The Decree applies primarily to two categories of beneficiaries seeking to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure for private use. First, it applies to natural persons who are residents of Italy and own or lease electric vehicles. These individuals can apply for incentives to install charging stations at their residences, whether in single-family homes or individual units within multi-family buildings. The regulation specifically targets domestic users who were unable to submit applications during previous funding rounds, ensuring broader access to the incentive program.
Second, the decree applies to condominium groups representing residential buildings with shared parking facilities. In these cases, the application can be submitted either by the building administrator acting on behalf of the condominium or by a delegated resident. The regulation recognises the unique challenges of implementing charging infrastructure in shared residential settings and provides enhanced incentives to address these challenges.
What are the requirements?
The Decree establishes detailed requirements for accessing incentives for EV charging infrastructure.
To be eligible for the subsidy, charging infrastructure must be:
- purchased and installed;
- brand new;
- standard power;
- located in Italy and in areas fully accessible to beneficiaries;
- built according to industry standards and come with a declaration of conformity.
For individuals, the infrastructure must be for private use only and not accessible to the public. If installed in the common areas of apartment buildings, the infrastructure must be for collective use by the residents and not accessible to the public.
Expenses incurred by beneficiaries between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, relating to the year 2024, for the purchase of charging infrastructure and its installation, to be carried out in a workmanlike manner, are eligible for the subsidy. These expenses may include: a) the purchase and installation of charging infrastructure, including, where necessary, the costs of installing charging stations, electrical systems, strictly necessary construction work, and monitoring systems and devices; b) design, construction management, safety and testing costs; c) costs for connection to the electricity grid through the activation of a new POD (point of delivery). Expenses must be traceable, and the decree specifies, by way of example, certain expenses that are eligible for the subsidy in any case.
Within the limits of the financial resources available, equal to €20 million for the year 2024 as the maximum total expenditure limit, the Ministry may grant beneficiaries a contribution for eligible expenses, identified as follows:
- 80 per cent of the purchase and installation price, up to a maximum of €1,500 per individual applicant.
- the expenditure limit referred to in point a) is increased to €8,000 in the case of installation in the common parts of condominium buildings.
The contribution cannot be combined with other national, regional or European Union subsidies for the same expenditure. If subsidies of any kind have been granted by public bodies or institutions, they will be revoked.
Who enforces the regulations?
Enforcement of the Decree is primarily managed by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, which oversees the overall implementation of the incentive scheme. The ministry establishes the regulatory framework, allocates the budget, and ensures that the program aligns with broader national strategies for electric mobility and sustainable transportation. It has the authority to modify program parameters, extend application deadlines, or adjust incentive levels based on program performance and available funding.
Invitalia, the National Agency for Inward Investment and Economic Development, serves as the operational arm for enforcement. Acting on behalf of the ministry, Invitalia manages the digital platform through which applications are submitted and processed. It reviews applications for compliance with eligibility criteria, verifies submitted documentation, and disburses funds to approved applicants. Invitalia also conducts random audits and inspections to prevent fraud and ensure that funded installations meet the technical specifications and operational requirements established in the decree.
