Planning a wedding in Italy with live music or a DJ? In most cases, you’ll need a SIAE wedding licence — a permit that covers the legal use of copyrighted music at private events.
In this guide you’ll find the official 2026 costs, who must pay, how to apply online, and answers to the most common questions.
What is the “SIAE licence fee” for weddings in Italy?
When planning a wedding in Italy, many couples hear about the so-called “SIAE tax” and wonder what it actually means.
In practice, SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori) issues licences and collects royalties when music from the repertoire administered by SIAE is used at private events — whether the music is performed live or played as recorded music.
Key takeaways:
- In most cases, the event organizer (usually the couple) is responsible for applying and paying.
- Fees mainly depend on guest count and whether music is live or recorded.
- For private weddings, SIAE states that the borderò / musical program is not required.
- Apply online via the SIAE Private Parties portal and keep a digital copy of the permit.
Important: For a wedding, the SIAE licence should normally be requested by one of the spouses, as the private individual organising the event — not by the band, DJ, wedding planner, or venue.
Wedding planners, venues and musicians can help you understand the procedure, but the SIAE Private Parties Portal only allows private (non-business) accounts to purchase the licence.
Video explainer:
How much does the SIAE wedding licence cost in 2026?
The cost depends on (1) the number of guests and (2) how music will be used.
If any recorded music is played (DJ set, laptop, playlist, karaoke, etc.), the permit includes both copyright fees and “neighboring rights” (for producers/performers), which is why recorded music is priced higher.
Official SIAE wedding fees (VAT included):
| Music type | Fewer than 200 guests | More than 200 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Live music | €272.58 | €412.63 |
| Recorded music (DJ / playlist / karaoke) | €384.73 | €582.75 |
| Live + recorded music (band + DJ) | €384.73 | €582.75 |
These amounts are shown by SIAE for weddings and include VAT and procedural administrative fees.
Always confirm the final total inside the SIAE portal when you apply, as fees may be updated.
Quick example: If you have a live band and later a DJ or Spotify playlist, you will typically pay the “live + recorded” (recorded-music) rate.
The SIAE wedding licence can be purchased online via the official portal here:
siae.it — Wedding (Private Parties).
Our Italian wedding bands and wedding DJs in Italy are familiar with the process and can often help you understand which option you need.
When do you need a SIAE permit?
In general, you need a SIAE permit whenever music from the repertoire administered by SIAE is used at your wedding party/reception — either performed live or played back as recorded music.
This includes common scenarios like:
- Live band (covers, popular songs, first dance songs)
- DJ set (console/laptop)
- Spotify/Apple Music playlist played through speakers
- Karaoke
A SIAE licence is not required if no music from the repertoire administered by SIAE is used — for example, if the repertoire consists exclusively of public-domain works or other music not administered by SIAE.
SIAE also states that a Private Parties licence is not required when music is used exclusively within the “ordinary family circle” and there is no commercial purpose. In practice, most destination weddings involving a wider group of invited guests fall outside this exception. If you are unsure whether your event qualifies, check directly with SIAE.
How to pay the SIAE wedding licence online (step-by-step)
- Create an account (or log in) to SIAE Online Services using a private/non-business account.
- Enter the Private Parties portal (Portale Feste Private).
- Select Wedding and fill in the event details (location, date, guest count, music type).
- Review the fee shown by the portal and complete payment.
- Download the permit and keep a digital copy on your phone (venues often ask to see it on the wedding day).
Alternative option: If you struggle with the online portal, you can often obtain the licence by visiting the nearest SIAE office for the area where the event will take place.
What information do you need to apply?
- Date of the event
- Venue address (town/city and full location details)
- Estimated guest count (fewer than 200 vs more than 200)
- Music type (live, recorded, or both)
- Applicant details (the organizer’s personal details)
- Codice fiscale of the applicant (this refers to the person applying for the permit — typically the organizer, not the musicians)
FAQs about the SIAE licence fee for weddings in Italy
How much does the SIAE wedding licence cost in Italy (2026)?
For weddings, SIAE fees depend mainly on guest count and whether music is live or recorded.
In 2026, official wedding fees shown by SIAE range from €272.58 to €412.63 for live music, and from €384.73 to €582.75 for recorded music (and for weddings with both live + recorded music).
VAT and procedural administrative fees are included.
Always confirm the final total in the SIAE portal when you apply.
Who is responsible for paying the SIAE licence fee?
The licence must be requested by the person organising the private event. For a wedding, SIAE specifies that this is one of the spouses.
Your wedding planner, venue, band, or DJ can assist with the procedure, but the online purchase must be made through a private (non-business) SIAE account.
When should I pay the SIAE fee?
The licence must be active before the wedding takes place. SIAE does not specify a fixed advance deadline, although completing the process a few weeks beforehand can help avoid last-minute issues.
If I have both live music and a DJ (or playlist), do I pay twice?
Usually, no.
If your wedding includes both live and recorded music, SIAE shows a specific “live + recorded” option — and in practice it matches the recorded-music rate.
So you’ll typically pay €384.73 (fewer than 200 guests) or €582.75 (more than 200 guests), as shown in the SIAE wedding pricing.
What happens if I don’t pay the SIAE wedding licence?
If you have not obtained the required licence and SIAE carries out a check during your event, SIAE states that the penalty is equal to 30% of the original licence fee.
For a wedding, responsibility for obtaining the licence remains with the private organizer — normally one of the spouses — even if a planner, venue, band or DJ has assisted with the process.
Do my musicians or DJ pay SIAE for me?
Not by default.
Musicians, DJs and wedding planners may help guide you through the procedure, but for a wedding the licence must be purchased by the private organizer, normally one of the spouses. The SIAE Private Parties Portal does not allow business accounts, such as those belonging to a wedding planner or venue, to purchase the licence.
A DJ’s professional SIAE licence for working copies (“copie lavoro”) does not replace the SIAE Private Parties licence required for the wedding itself.
Is the SIAE fee a “tax paid to the government”?
No — it’s a licence fee collected by SIAE as the Italian collecting society for authors and publishers.
SIAE issues the permit and collects the fees connected to the use of copyrighted music from the repertoire it administers at events.
Do we need to file the “borderò” / musical program after a private wedding?
For private parties (including weddings), SIAE states that the borderò is not required.
Keep your paid permit, as venues may ask to see it on the wedding day.
If your event is public (or organised by an association), rules can differ — always check the permit requirements for your specific case.
What about music during the church ceremony?
Church ceremonies can follow different rules from the wedding party/reception.
If you are unsure whether a separate licence applies to your ceremony music, ask your church or venue for guidance and verify the options in the SIAE portal for your exact setup.
Are there any exemptions from the SIAE wedding licence?
In some situations, a SIAE licence may not be needed. This can depend both on the repertoire being used and on the circumstances in which the music is played. Common cases include:
- No music at all (or a ceremony/reception with no playback and no live set).
- Only original music performed by your musicians (their own compositions), provided the relevant rights are controlled directly by the musicians and the works are not part of the repertoire administered by SIAE.
- Public-domain repertoire only (e.g. many classical works), provided the arrangement used is also in the public domain.
- Church ceremonies with purely liturgical/sacred music, where the repertoire is not covered by SIAE for the purposes of the private-party wedding permit.
- Traditional songs that are genuinely non-copyright / public domain (no modern copyrighted versions).
If music from the repertoire administered by SIAE is used at a wedding involving a wider group of guests than the ordinary family circle, a SIAE permit is typically required — even if the music is used only briefly or as background music. When in doubt, check directly with SIAE.
Is the fee the same for other types of private events?
No. SIAE provides different pricing for other private parties (e.g. birthdays or other celebrations).
The figures in this guide refer specifically to weddings.
What does SIAE stand for?
SIAE stands for Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori (Italian Society of Authors and Publishers).
What if the wedding venue already has a SIAE licence for background music?
A venue’s regular SIAE licence for background music does not cover your private wedding. SIAE treats the venue’s everyday background-music licence and the wedding’s Private Parties licence as two separate uses of music.
Your wedding therefore still requires its own licence when the conditions for the Private Parties permit apply.
For the most up-to-date details, always check the official SIAE pages:
siae.it — Matrimonio (IT)
and
siae.it — Wedding (EN).
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