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) is the organisation that issues a permit (licence) and collects fees when copyrighted music is used at private events — whether the music is live or recorded.
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: The client hiring the musicians (i.e. the event planner) — not the band, DJ, or the venue — is responsible for requesting and paying the SIAE wedding permit.
Your wedding planner, venue, and musicians can often help with the process, but the application is typically made in the organizer’s name.
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 copyrighted music 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
If your wedding includes no copyrighted music at any point (for example, only original music written by your musicians, or only music in the public domain), a SIAE permit may not apply — but this is uncommon for most weddings. When in doubt, check the SIAE portal options or ask your venue/planner.
How to pay the SIAE wedding licence online (step-by-step)
- Create an account (or log in) to SIAE Online Services.
- 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?
In most cases, the event organizer is responsible — for weddings, this is usually the couple.
Your wedding planner, venue, band, or DJ can help you understand which permit you need, but the organizer is typically the person who applies and pays.
When should I pay the SIAE fee?
You should pay it before the wedding date.
Practically, many couples aim to complete it 1–4 weeks before the event to avoid last-minute stress (especially if you are planning from abroad).
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 the permit hasn’t been paid, SIAE checks can cause disruption on the day and may result in penalties.
Even if a planner assists you, responsibility typically remains with the organizer — so it’s best to have the permit sorted in advance and keep a digital copy handy.
Do my musicians or DJ pay SIAE for me?
Not by default.
Some musicians, DJs, or planners may offer practical help (or even handle the application on your behalf), but the permit is generally issued to the organizer and the organizer is responsible for payment.
If someone applies for you, agree in writing who is paying and make sure you receive a copy of the paid permit.
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 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 — but only if no copyrighted music is used at any point (live or recorded). 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), with no covers.
- 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 any copyrighted song is used — even briefly, and even as background music (for example, a playlist, a DJ set, or a popular first-dance track) — then a SIAE permit is typically required. When in doubt, check the options shown in the SIAE portal for your exact setup.
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).
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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