Tax was paid by Rome tourists but not passed on to the city.

Rome police have discovered that around €8.5 million in tourist tax was not received by city hall in the first six months of 2019, following an extensive investigation.

The audit uncovered hotels, B&Bs and room-rental landlords, mainly in the historic centre of the capital, that were not passing on the nightly tax paid by tourists in Rome.

Police have arrested 28 people for embezzlement and most of the evaded funds have been recuperated by the city, according to Rome's mayor Virginia Raggi.

Tourist tax ranges from €3 per night in a 1-2 star hotel to €7 for a 5-star hotel, with the rate applying for the first 10 nights. Guests of B&Bs, rented rooms, holiday homes and holiday apartments pay a nightly tax of €3.50 for up to 10 nights, while a €2 rate applies for campsites for a maximum of five nights.

The police investigation into tourist tax evasion is currently continuing in areas outside the centre. For more details about the tourist tax see the city's website.