iquota

TVs in guest rooms and music in common areas: do you have to pay copyright fees? (Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, 2026)

Updated: 9 November 2026

Almost every property has TVs in its rooms, and many play music in reception, the bar or by the pool. As a rule, that is a 'communication to the public' and needs a licence from the collecting societies. This is what the EU Court of Justice, Spotify's terms and each country's collecting societies say on their official websites (sources at the end). This is not legal advice: for a specific question, ask your adviser or the society.

TVs in guest rooms

In 2006 the EU Court of Justice ruled (case C-306/05, SGAE v Rafael Hoteles) that when a hotel distributes a TV signal to the sets in its rooms, it makes a communication to the public under Directive 2001/29. The private nature of the room does not change this: guests come and go and form a public. Merely installing the sets is not enough on its own; what counts is that the hotel delivers the signal to its guests.

Radios and recorded music in rooms

In 2012 (case C-162/10, Phonographic Performance Ireland) the same court added that a hotel providing radios, TVs or other equipment with recorded music in its rooms must pay remuneration to the record producers, on top of what the broadcaster already pays. Countries cannot exempt hotels as 'private use', because the service is part of what the hotel charges for.

Background music in reception, bar, restaurant or pool

Playing music in common areas is public use. You usually need two kinds of licence: one for authors and publishers (the people who write the music) and one for the producers and performers of the recording. They are separate rights and are paid separately, although one society sometimes collects on behalf of another.

Personal Spotify and other home-use platforms

Spotify's terms only allow 'personal, non-commercial use', and its help page says plainly that you cannot play Spotify publicly from a business. AGEDI also explains that buying music or a streaming subscription does not allow public use. A personal account, even a paid one, will not do for the bar or the pool.

Commercially licensed services and 'royalty-free' music

Spain

Portugal

Italy

Greece

How much does it cost?

Each society publishes its own tariffs, which usually depend on the type of property, the number of rooms or beds, its category and whether music is only in rooms or also in common areas. Ask each society for a quote and check for agreements with your hotel association.

How iQuota helps

AI assistants and search engines read what your listing says. State clearly what you offer (TV in the room, music in the bar, a quiet pool with no music…): it is useful information for guests. Nobody can guarantee that an AI will recommend you, but a clear, truthful listing is a better base.

Want an official booking page AI can read and a connector with your real prices, commission-free? The first 30 hotels join free until 30 June 2027.

See the Founding Hotels programme

Frequently asked questions

If I pay SGAE, am I covered?

Not necessarily: SGAE collects for authors and publishers; AGEDI and AIE collect separately for recorded music, and audiovisual societies may claim for TV.

Can I play my Spotify in the hotel bar?

No: Spotify only allows personal, non-commercial use, and its help page says you cannot play it publicly from a business.

What if the rooms have no TV or radio?

Then there is no communication in the rooms; but if you play music in common areas, that part does need a licence.

Sources

More guides for hotels

More guides for hotels →

Español · Italiano · Português · Ελληνικά