Italy's Law 40/2026 Reshapes Cultural Heritage Valorization with Digital Registry and Subsidiarity Register

Key facts

• Law No. 40/2026 entered into force in April 2026, modifying Italy's Cultural Heritage and Landscape Code.
• The reform aims to promote new forms of participation in the valorization of public cultural heritage.
• A digital registry (Anagrafe digitale dei luoghi della cultura) will collect data on cultural assets and their management and accessibility.
• The Register for Horizontal Subsidiarity (Albo della sussidiarietà orizzontale) will facilitate connections between public administrations and private entities.
• Registration in the Albo does not grant automatic rights to manage cultural assets.
• The national strategy "Italia in scena" focuses on accessibility, especially in inner areas and small municipalities.
• Andrea Grappelli is a partner and head of the administrative law department at Morri Rossetti & Franzosi.
• The reform's success depends on the adoption of implementing measures to make the digital registry and register operational.