Starting from 2026, anyone who ventures into the mountains without the right preparation or with irresponsible behavior will have to pay the costs of mountain rescue out of their own pocket. The measure, included in the draft of the 2026 Budget Law, concerns search, rescue and relief interventions carried out by the Financial Police, and represents an attempt to put a stop to unnecessary or negligent requests.
When will you have to pay for help?
The payment will be triggered in cases where fraud or gross negligence is ascertained or when the request for help is deemed unmotivated or unjustified. This means that anyone who gets into trouble by ignoring the warning signs, for example by tackling a trail in sandals or without adequate equipment, will risk receiving a hefty bill from the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
The ministerial decree that will define the amounts will take into account the costs of personnel, fuel, vehicles and equipment, updated every year based on Istat indices. Maritime and air rescue operations, which will continue to be free, are excluded from the provision.
A measure to make hikers responsible
The objective of this new rule is not punitive, but aims to make those who frequent the mountains without awareness responsible. In recent years, in fact, CNSAS rescuers have recorded a significant increase in interventions, often due to imprudence or poor preparation. Each intervention involves a waste of public resources and puts the lives of rescuers at risk, who often operate in extreme conditions to save people.
Because it is right to make those who make mistakes pay
The mountain is not a playground: it requires respect, prudence and preparation. Wearing suitable shoes, knowing the route and evaluating your abilities are gestures of personal responsibility. Anyone who ignores these rules not only puts themselves in danger, but also those who intervene to save them.
The Alpine Rescue is made up of highly qualified personnel who risk their lives in every mission. Paying expenses in cases of willful misconduct or negligence is a way to recognize the value of their work and preserve resources that should be allocated to real emergencies.
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