Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced paid custom plates in Italy’s 2027 budget, but a Treasury official gave no estimate of their expected revenue, The Independent reported.
Meloni presented the plan Wednesday, Oct. 28, and described it as a “colourful note.” The Independent reported that the budget package is the last before a general election due in 2027.
The decree sets fees at roughly €600 ($669) for cars and €360 for motorcycles. The Independent reported that standard Italian plates use two letters, three digits and two more letters; how far drivers may depart from that pattern remains unclear. The outlet described the measure as a revenue-raising initiative that follows examples in Britain, the United States and other countries.
Some taxi drivers welcomed the proposal, saying distinctive plates could help people identify legitimate operators and combat illegal services, The Independent reported. The outlet also said the plan prompted online jokes and concerns about plates bearing insults or profanity.
Centre-left opposition parties criticized the proposal as a distraction from other budget issues, according to The Independent. Five Star Movement lawmaker Francesco Silvestri said Italians had already chosen a personalized plate: “Meloni, go away.”
