ITALY

Although it is not illegal to buy a metal detector in Italy, there are strict rules on where you can metal detect.

There are many historical and protected archaeological areas where metal detecting is not allowed which are published by the Ityalian Government.
Metal detecting is allowed on areas which are not designated as such provided you have permission from the landowner.

Historical, Artistic and Archaeological objects as defined in law No42 January 2004 cannot be exported without an export licence.
If you discover any object of historical or archaeological importance as covered by the above law, metal detecting must cease and the find reported within 24 hours.

All Archaeological finds are the property of the state and must be reported to carabinieri/local Superintendency of Arts.

A Reward may be offered up to 10% of the value of the find.
The selling of archaeological objects is forbidden and all coins over 50 years old are considered historical.

It should also be noted that in val d’Aosta and Veneto and Trentino (north part of Italy ) there are some local and regional ristrictions in place due to the large ammount of WWI and WWII amunition being discovered.
It is advisable therefore to ask the “Comune” or “Provincia” which are responsible for those districts or townships before venturing onto any land.

Thanks to Edoardo Meacci for the latest information.

Information copied from: http://www.ncmd.co.uk/law.html

...The fact is there are very few countries where you cannot detect subject to following a few rules ie sites of special scientific interest, archaelogical sites as you realised, graveyards and war graves (this can be a whole beach if say there was a troop landing in the war). There can then be local byelaws. These could mean a total ban or just as in Spain a restriction on detecting times.

People relaxing in the sun don't want someone digging right next to them and throwing sand all over their towel, camera etc. Thus you would be restricted to detecting early morning or evening. Detecting inland even with the landowners permission is at your own risk. If your not seen your O.K. A detectorist from Portugal said they have an arrangement with the police, if they don't see you they don't arrest you. Sums it up.

If you go to the Caribbean/Latin America etc most places let you detect on the beach but have strict rules that apply a few times a year where local wildlife (like turtle nests) would be disturbed.

To get back to your question you should be O.K. on most of the Italian beaches. There may be the odd sensitive site but they would be signposted. I've detected inland with the landowners permission though there is a "date" rule. As with some other countries with the possibility of ancient finds you can't detect for really old stuff, say pre 1500 or 1600, but can search for more modern finds and accidently locate older. You then come into a set of rules as how to act.

You should have no problems because you already know the restrictions. If the police do roll up and order you to leave you can argue the point and may well get arrested. Best to say your sorry and move on. If your certain you did have the right to detect there you can always go to the police station or town hall to check then if your in the right come back the next day.

Have a great time !

Information obtained from this website:http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/ge...ing-italy.html

The 1939 Act of the custody of artistic and historic objects affords protection to all objects and coins of historical or archaeological value including coins. All objects are State property and must be reported to the Superintendency of Arts. Rewards may be offered up to 1/4 of the value.

Metal detecting is forbidden in the following areas:

Val D'AOSTA

TOSCANA

LAZIO

CALABRIA

SICILIA

Coins found minted after 1500 can be kept by the finder and 10% of their value has to be paid to the landowner.

Information obtained from the following website: http://www.colchestertreasurehunting...easurelaws.htm