Outdoor hospitality businesses are currently facing a new and increasingly complex set of challenges: rising energy costs, growing demand for environmental sustainability, the need for adequate accommodation solutions for seasonal staff, and the spread of electric mobility among both guests and employees.
In this context, the new “Staff House” incentive scheme promoted in Italy by the Ministry of Tourism represents a significant opportunity for campsites, holiday parks and outdoor hospitality operators looking to build or refurbish staff accommodation, while supporting construction and plant engineering interventions capable of delivering tangible improvements in building energy performance.
Managed by Invitalia, the scheme allocates €54 million over three years (2025–2027) and provides non-repayable grants covering up to 30% of eligible costs, with substantial uplifts for SMEs, disadvantaged areas and high energy-performance projects. Companies of any size operating in the tourism and hospitality sector, including food service, are eligible to apply. This includes campsites, holiday parks, seasonal resorts, glamping sites and accommodation facilities employing in-house staff. Businesses leasing their premises may also apply, subject to the owner’s consent for the works.
The scheme supports investment projects ranging from €500,000 to €5 million, with the requirement to provide at least ten beds for workers in the tourism and hospitality sector. Works must commence after submission of the application and be completed within 24 months of grant approval.
A central requirement is the improvement of the building’s energy performance. Refurbishment projects must achieve at least a 20% increase in efficiency, while partial interventions must deliver a minimum 10% improvement. Solutions powered by fossil fuels are excluded, underlining the scheme’s strong alignment with the energy transition.
For many outdoor hospitality businesses, this represents an opportunity to cover a significant portion of investment costs, turning an operational necessity into a long-term strategic asset. In a sector where energy consumption linked to heating, cooling and domestic hot water production is particularly high during peak season, the incentive becomes a practical tool to reduce operating costs and enhance overall sustainability.
Eligible interventions
The scheme covers building refurbishment and envelope improvements, as well as works on existing structures to be converted into staff accommodation. These include thermal insulation, roof refurbishment, window and door replacement, and internal renovations aligned with the new use.
Technological systems and furnishings are also eligible, up to 30% of the total investment. This includes HVAC systems, renewable energy systems, advanced electrical installations, equipment and new furnishings. For SMEs, energy audits, environmental studies and specialist consultancy services related to the interventions are also eligible.
For holiday parks and campsites, the scheme is not merely a real estate opportunity, but a lever to rethink the entire building services approach for staff accommodation – whether bungalows, small apartments or staff housing units. High-efficiency heat pumps can replace traditional boilers, significantly reduce consumption, integrate heating and cooling, and substantially improve the building’s energy rating.
In campsites with large roof areas, installing photovoltaic systems for self-consumption can have a major impact by reducing energy costs, increasing independence from the grid and improving overall sustainability, while also enabling access to potential incentives linked to renewable energy. At the same time, efficient heating, cooling and ventilation systems help ensure air quality and comfort for staff, reducing losses and optimising overall energy performance.
ECA Technology / Syntek supports campsites and holiday parks in selecting and supplying the most suitable technological solutions for projects eligible under the Staff House scheme, with a particular focus on integrating energy production, storage and smart consumption management.
Photovoltaic systems – On-site generation of renewable energy, ideal for covering the summer consumption peaks typical of campsites and improving the energy rating of buildings dedicated to staff accommodation.
Integrated systems for heating, cooling and DHW – Technologies capable of simultaneously producing heating, cooling and domestic hot water, particularly efficient in contexts with high concurrent demand such as communal facilities, shower blocks and staff accommodation.
Heat pump water heaters using natural refrigerants – High-efficiency, low environmental impact solutions, ideal for facilities with intensive hot water demand and fully compliant with the requirements of the scheme.
Electric vehicle charging stations – An increasingly in-demand service among guests and a distinctive feature for properties focused on sustainability and electric mobility.
More broadly, ECA Technology / Syntek supports operators through technical consultancy on the most effective systems for heating, cooling and hot water production, system sizing, supply of heat pumps and renewable-ready components, as well as technical support and after-sales assistance. The aim is to ensure that each intervention meets the scheme’s energy efficiency requirements while maximising both economic returns and long-term performance.
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