SIAE Licence Fee for Weddings in Italy (2026)

Question 1

How much does the SIAE licence fee cost for weddings in Italy?

Answer

For weddings in Italy, the SIAE permit usually costs between €256 and €547.50. The exact cost will depend on a few factors, such as the number of guests at your event, whether you have just a DJ playing recorded music or musicians playing live music, and the area of Italy your event is taking place in. See above at the top of this article for more details.

Question 2

Who is responsible for payment of the SIAE licence fee?

Answer

The general rule is that the event organiser is responsible for paying the SIAE fee. For weddings, this will usually be the couple getting married. For corporate events, it's likely to be the company. So if you're getting married in Italy and have hired a live band or DJ, you'll need to ensure you pay the SIAE fee before your wedding date.

Question 3

What happens if I don't pay the SIAE tax?

Answer

SIAE inspectors will apply onerous penalties and most importantly, the arrival of the Inspectors will cause disruption to the ceremony or wedding reception, especially if the SIAE fees have not been paid beforehand. Responsibility ultimately sits with the event organiser, even if a planner assists.

Question 4

Why is this important?

Answer

SIAE inspectors have been known to shut down parties that don't have the relevant fees paid.

Question 5

When should I pay the SIAE fee?

Answer

The SIAE fee needs to be paid before the date of the event.

Question 6

Will the SIAE fee be more if I have both live music and a DJ at my wedding?

Answer

Yes, if you hire a covers band and a DJ or use a Spotify playlist at your wedding, you will need to pay the relevant SIAE licence fees that relate to both live music and DJ/Spotify (see the list above). In practice, this means the recorded music tariff applies.

Question 7

Where can I get help with paying the SIAE tax?

Answer

Your local wedding planner or venue can often help advise on how to pay the relevant fees. Our wedding bands also have experience of dealing with this, so feel free to ask them about it when you enquire and they will be happy to help. If you don't have a wedding planner, some of our bands are happy to apply for the SIAE licence themselves and handle the relevant paperwork, provided the client then reimburses them for the costs afterwards. This can often be done just a couple of days before the date of your wedding. Although it's not the band's responsibility to organise or pay for the SIAE permit, most will be willing to offer some support. We at FixTheMusic also have some local contacts who can often help obtain the SIAE licence for a small fee.

Question 8

What happens after the event?

Answer

As of 8 July 2023, if your wedding is a private event (i.e. not open to the public), you are no longer required to file the 'borderò' — the form that lists the songs played during the event. This means that your musicians or DJ do not need to submit a playlist to SIAE after the celebration. For public events or those organised by associations, the borderò remains mandatory.

Question 9

Is the fee the same for other types of events?

Answer

No. The SIAE fee varies according to the type of event. The fees indicated above relate to weddings in Italy. Fees for birthday parties and other types of events, for example, are lower compared to weddings.

Question 10

What is the meaning of SIAE?

Answer

SIAE stands for Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori.

Question 11

Is SIAE similar to PRS?

Answer

Yes. SIAE in Italy performs a similar role to PRS in the UK. Both organisations collect licence fees when copyrighted music is played at events and distribute royalties to songwriters, composers and publishers. The main difference is simply the country they operate in: PRS covers the UK, while SIAE covers Italy. If you are planning a wedding in Italy, you will need the SIAE licence rather than PRS.

Question 12

Does the SIAE fee apply to music performed in church (e.g. for the wedding ceremony)?

Answer

The SIAE fee does not generally apply to music performed in church, as liturgical pieces are not protected under copyright by the SIAE.

Question 13

When should I purchase the SIAE licence?

Answer

We recommend purchasing your SIAE licence 1–4 weeks before the wedding. This gives enough time to resolve any issues with the online portal, which can be difficult to navigate. It is technically possible to obtain the licence just a few days before the event (and many couples do), but applying earlier ensures a smoother process, especially for destination weddings where time is tight and communication can be slower. Once the licence is issued, simply download the permit and share it with your musicians or DJ.