Online Incorporation
Free Case Evaluation
Request Price
Before youbuy a house in Italyit is best toverify the property, with the legal support ofour Italian lawyerswho can offerreal estate due diligenceprocedures which will secure thesuccess of the purchase.The procedure itself is rather complex, and it is highly recommended to receive professional assistance on the legislation in the field and the steps one must follow whenbuying a property in Italy.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Can foreigners buy properties in Italy? (YES/NO) | Yes |
Types of properties you can purchase in Italy | – houses, – commercial and residential properties, – land plots |
Institution in charge of property registration | Italian Land Registry |
| Real estate due diligence offered by our property lawyers in Italy | We can verify the property you want to purchase to see if there are any legal problems. |
| Documents for buying a property in Italy | – sale-purchase agreement, – title deed, – cadastral documents, – building permits, – energy certificate |
| How can our Italian property lawyers help you with property purchase ? | – verification of documents, – drafting contracts, – representation in front of notary |
| Expert advice for price property in Italy (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Verification of properties with local institutions or municipalities (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Inspection trip before property purchase (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Pre-sale agreement for real estate in Italy (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Representation in case of litigation before the acquisition of a property (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Legal advice for commercial property purchase (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Support for payment transfer of property in Italy (YES/NO) | Yes |
| Property purchase for citizenship in Italy | Golden Visa for Italy |
| We offer free case evaluation | Yes, provided by our property lawyers in Italy. |
| Who needs an Italian tax code? | The new property owner must apply for an Italian tax code to pay the respective fees. |
Notary fees (approx.) | Ranging from 1% to 3% calculated on the value of the property |
VAT for property purchase in Italy | 4% |
| Land registry tax in Italy | About EUR 170 |
| Other costs for buying a house in Italy | For property inspection, legal services etc. |
| Are mortgages available in Italy? | Yes, banks in Italy provide a wide range of property loans, including for expats. 80% of the value of the property is the maximum that can be borrowed. |
| Property insurance solicited | Not legally required, but recommended |
| Can I buy a property in Italy without traveling to this country? | Yes, one of our Italian lawyers can represent you with a power of attorney. |
| Conditions for UK citizens to purchase a house in Italy | Must present an EU residency certificate or certificato di residenza. |
| Do I get a permanent residence by purchasing a property in Italy? | No, you should apply for specific programs to obtain this status. |
| Who can help you find a good property in Italy? | Our Italian lawyers with experience in the real estate field can help foreigners find a suitable property in this country. |
| Is a pre-sale agreement issued before the actual purchase? | Yes, a pre-sale agreement is a guarantee that the selected property is reserved to be sold. |
| Who pays the taxes for the sold property in Italy? | Both seller and buyer, depending on the type of property, history, etc. |
| Other facts to consider when buying a house in Italy | Buyers are advised to meet the seller in person or with the help of our Italian property lawyer. |
| Why work with our Italian lawyers? | – wide range of experience in the real estate sector, – professionalism, – affordable prices |
Table of Contents
Buying real estate in Italy
In bothresidential and commercial real estate purchasesthere are several steps to be followed. The first one isfinding the suitable propertyand having it inspected. It is also advisable to have theItalian property evaluatedin order to see if the price is correct. Among the aspects that need to be taken into consideration whenbuying a property in Italyare:
- the property is not subject to any encumbrances or third party rights;
- the property is registered with the Land Register;
- all planning permits are in placeas well as and other necessary documents;
- the property is suitable for certain activities, in the case ofcommercial real estate purchases.
Once the buyer has decided on a certainproperty, a contract will be drafted and a deposit must also be paid before thepurchase is completed. If you need assistance with the sale-purchase agreement you can request theservices of ourItalian real estate lawyers. You can also discover the video presentation we have prepared for this topic:
Buy a home in Italy – Market trends
It should be noted that the preferences of the persons who want tobuy a home in Italyrelate to thedetached properties that also provide an outdoor space, as presented by theBank of Italy.
Below,our Italian real estate lawyershave gathered some of thehighlights of the property marketin this country, referring to the current prices at whichproperties are soldin various Italian cities and regions, the top foreign nationals interested inpurchasing propertieshere and other relevant matters:
- in theItalian Housing Market Survey, carried out by the National Bank between 31 August – 20 September 2020,1,403 real estate agentsreported a decline in the prices ofItalian properties;
- in September 2020, inRome, the highest price per square meter was in the city’s center (Centro Storico), where a square meter was valued at EUR 7,474;
- the lowest price available whenbuying a property in Italyin the city ofRomewas inAppio Latino, where apropertywas valued at EUR 3,927 per square meter;
- the top foreign nationals interested inpurchasing a propertywere represented by Germans, British and Dutch citizens, who made numerous enquiries starting with 18th of May 2020, whenproperty viewingswere allowed inItaly, amid the Covid-19 restrictions.
What are the basic documents for buying a property in Italy?
Those who want topurchase an Italian propertyhave to take into consideration numerous aspects. Besides the entities involved in the transaction (the buyer, the seller, the notary and theItalian real estate lawyers), one has to verify if theprice of the propertyis established in accordance with the realvalue of the property, but also the taxes one must pay during the transaction, as well as those that must be paid on a yearly basis by theowner of an Italian property.
Ourproperty lawyer in Italycan help you with legal advice on all these aspects and can present the restrictions that can appear whenbuying a propertyhere, based on the nationality of the foreigner (EU nationals benefit from an easy access topurchasing a propertyhere).
The procedure itself requires the participation of a notary public, where the seller has to present the following documents: theownership title of the house, thefloor plan of the house, the cadastral document, the energy certificate, the building permits (necessary for properties that were built after 1967) and the identification documents of both the seller and the buyer. Information on this topic you can also discover in the following infographic:
Who can buy land in Italy?
The right ofbuying landorbuying a property in Italyis available for most of the categories of foreigners, which are divided based on the nationality.Italydoes not impose restrictions onowning a propertyas a foreigner, but the manner in which one canpurchase propertieshere can vary based on the nationality of the foreigner.
For example, persons who are citizens of the European Union (EU) or of the European Economic Area (EEA) canbuy a home in Italyfollowing the same procedures addressed toItalian citizens. The same right is granted to persons who are stateless or to those who are refugees, but the possibility ofpurchasing a propertycan take place only if these categories of persons havelived in Italyfor at least three years.Ourproperty lawyer in Italycan offer more information on the process addressed to this category of possible buyers.
For other categories of citizens,Italyallows theright to buy a homeif there is an international treaty which agreed on a reciprocity condition between theItalian institutionsand the institutions of the other country. This means that if a foreigner who is not a EU or a EEA citizen wants tobuy a home in Italy, he or she will be able to do so as long as an international treaty stipulates that anItalian citizenis allowed topurchase a propertyin the country where the foreigner is a national.
In the case in which there isn’t a reciprocity condition, then the foreigner will not be able tobuya house in Italy, as theItalian notariesare not entitled todraft and sign property contractswith persons who are from non-reciprocity countries. There are certain exemptions from this rule and you can address to ourItalian real estate lawyersfor in-depth information regarding this matter.
Steps to complete the purchase of an Italian property
The last steps to complete thepurchase of a property in Italyare:signing the title deed,registering the propertywith theItalian Land Registrywith the buyer as a new owner and applying for a tax code. The title deed must be signed by both seller and buyer before apublic notary in Italy.
Once the document is signed, the new owner will register the propertywith theLand Registerand pay all the required fees related to the procedure. The buyer must also obtain anItalian tax codein order to be able to pay the taxes related toowning a propertyin this country.
What to consider when buying a property in Italy
Purchasing a house might seem a simple transaction for some, however, there are a few tips to consider before any acquisition. It is recommended to see the property before purchase and solicit information about the documents of the house. It is best to meet the seller in person and see if he/she is the real owner of the property. Then, with the help of ourItalian real estate lawyers, you can decide on the purchase. Here are other interesting aspects that you should consider if you want tobuy a property in Italy:
- If you want to use the services of a real estate agency, make sure they have an official website and correct information about the properties displayed.
- If you decided on a specific property, hire the services of aproperty lawyer in Italywho can help you with the required verifications, such as real estate due diligence.
- You can also ask for price verifications to see if the property selected has the right value.
- Besides the property price, you need to pay attention to the taxes that must be paid at the time of transaction. This is another aspect for which you can receive legal advice from our experts.
- A pre-sale agreement is required for property acquisition in Italy, alongside a small amount to be paid. These aspects are part of aproperty transaction in Italy.
How to buy a house in Italy as a foreigner
Foreigners who want tobuy a property in Italymust consider the formalities required in this process. With the help of ourproperty lawyer in Italy, one can easily purchase a home, as our expert can manage all the aspects from a legal point of view. Below are some steps to keep in mind if you want tobuy a house in Italy:
- Choosing a house– The first natural step is to look for ahouse in Italy, and here you can benefit from specialist help. There are various platforms with which you can view the properties available for sale, and a real estate agent can be of use to you.
- Property inspection– Real estate due diligence is the process by which you can find out a lot of information about the house you have chosen. Legal problems can also be discovered, if they exist. You can thus get an idea about the respective property before purchasing it, by contacting our property lawyer in Italy.
- Drafting the contract– An important step is the preparation of the sale-purchase contract. It must include the entire history of the respective property, the name of the owner, as well as the amount proposed for sale. In this stage, you have the chance to negotiate the price of the house in question.
- Making a deposit– Once the amount has been determined, you proceed to pay a sum of money from the total price of the house. This guarantees that the property will pass in your name and that it will be removed from the sale on this occasion. Our lawyers can help youbuy a house in Italyby managing the formalities from a legal point of view.
- Signing the title deed– The sale-purchase contract is signed by the seller and the comparator in front of the public notary. Before signing, this document will be checked once more.
- Registering the property– After signing the sale-purchase contract of the house in Italy, registration with the Italian Land Registry follows. This step is important, and the new owner receives a tax code to pay the relevant fees imposed.
- Owning the house in Italy– Paying thetaxesfor the newly owned property is the last step in this process. Foreigners can delegate aproperty lawyer in Italy, with a power of attorney for such a purchase, without being obliged to travel to this country.
Therefore, if you want tobuy a house in Italy as a foreigner, it is recommended to take into account the legal aspects as well as the formalities related to this type of purchase. Moreover, ourItalian real estate lawyersare at your disposal with specialized legal services.
What you need to take into account when buying a property in Italy
Although the process ofpurchasing a property in Italymay seem quite simple, there are cases in which, without specialized assistance it cannot be completed. It is better to be informed about what you have to do so that all the formalities are free of complexities. Here are some tips in this regard:
- It is recommended to choose a licensed real estate agent, to ensure that you benefit from the desired services.
- In terms of documents, aproperty lawyer in Italycan be of use to you. He/she can do the necessary checks, including real estate due diligence. This procedure is essential beforepurchasing a property in Italy.
- You must consider checking the price of a property, to reflect the existing value on the market. Otherwise, you can change your mind and choose something else.
- The registration of the purchased property with the Land Registry is mandatory, and the new owners have the obligation to pay the related taxes.
FAQ about property purchase in Italy
1. Who can buy a house in Italy?
There are no restrictions for foreigners who want to buy properties in Italy. However, the Italian authorities have the power of making some verifications of criminal records and other aspects.
2. What types of documents are necessary for property purchase in Italy?
Besides the ownership title of the property, the cadastral document, the energy certificate, the plan of the property, building permits and the identification documents are necessary for a sale and purchase transaction of a house. One of ourItalian lawyerscan offer the required support.
3. Is it necessary to have a pre-sale agreement before the final transaction of a property?
Yes, once the buyer agrees on the price of the property and wants to make the acquisition, a pre-sale agreement must be drafted. Also, a specific amount from the property price must be deposited in a bank account.
4. Is a real estate due diligence necessary before a property purchase in Italy?
Yes, most commercial real estate properties require due diligence and specific verifications that can be managed by one of our lawyers in Italy. This kind of procedure is also recommended for natural persons who want tobuy a property in Italyand need to know if there are any problems.
5. Is the property price verified before the transaction?
Yes, it is quite recommended to verify the price of a property before purchasing it. This way the future buyer can be sure that the value of the house aligns with the prices on the market. This is another aspect that can be handled from a legal point of view by our attorneys in Italy.
6. Where does the property transaction takes place?
All the property documents will be presented in front of the public notary. He or she will verify the papers and accept them before the final transaction. We remind you that you can be represented from a legal point of view by ourItalian lawyers.
7. What are the main steps for buying a property in Italy as a foreigner?
If you have a specific budget and already arranged for a property purchase, hire a lawyer for real estate due diligence, contract verifications, and representation. Once the documents are ready and the taxes paid, the property can be yours.
8. Can an Italian lawyer help me find the right property to buy in Italy?
You can request the legal advice of our Italian lawyers if you want tobuy a property in Italy. This way you have the guarantee that the property you choose does not have legal problems or is subject to hidden issues. A complete evaluation will be offered.
9. What are the best cities for buying a property in Italy?
Rome, Milan, Naples, Tuscany, Cagliari, and Sicily are only a few of the cities and regions of Italy where foreigners can buy excellent properties at affordable prices. If you need legal advice forbuying a property in Italy, feel free to get in touch with our experts.
10. How is the property registration made in Italy?
All properties must be registered with theItalian Land Registry. This means that if youpurchased a house in Italyyou need to register with this institution.
If you need information about how tobuy a propertyin Italy, do not hesitate tocontactourItalian real estate lawyers. We can also offer you legal advice if you want todivorce in Italy.
