How to Buy Residential Property in Italy

Published:
February 27, 2025
5263

What’s not to love about being a proprietor of a householding in this region? With breathtaking landscapes, world-class wine, and a multifaceted historical heritage, it’s no wonder numerous people dream of acquiring a householding in this stunning country. If you’re considering taking this stage, you’ll find plenty of aspects to move forward. Whether for a vacation retreat, a PR-permission, or even a venture, there’s a property for sale in Italy that could be your dream home. Here’s what you crave to know about the workflow and demands to make it a reality.

Exploring the Prospects of Real Estate Financing

Even if you’re not planning on living in this region full-time, owning a home here comes with several perks. A vacation home in Italy provides stability, allowing you to visit without the hassle of finding short-term accommodations. You can also leave personal belongings there, making travel much more convenient. Furthermore, if you’re not using the home year-round, renting it out can generate income to offset proprietorship costs.

For those contemplating long-term relocation or retirement, the mechanism of attaining a householding may also assist in receiving a visa, making residency easier to secure. Moreover, some towns in this region offer financial incentives to clients willing to restore old homes, sometimes even selling house holdings for as little as one euro. However, flipping houses is not as common as in other countries, so keep in mind that selling later might take time.

Steps to Buying a Home

Step 1: Understand the Workflow

This mechanism is noticeably contrasting from other markets. It requires patience and a shift in expectations. The process can be lengthy, involving negotiations and bureaucratic procedures, but with the right approach, it’s manageable.

Step 2: Receive a TIN

A TIN is obligatory for householding purchases. A notaio (notary) can assist you in obtaining one, and their role is notable throughout the transferring operations workflow, as they handle lawful documentation instead of a realtor

Step 3: Open an Italian Bank Account

While foreigners are permitted to buy a householding, setting up a regional monetary establishment account is a practical necessity. This step can be tricky without proof of residency, but your notary or an attorney can help navigate the process. Alternatively, digital banking options like Wise or Revolut may serve as interim solutions for handling funds in euros.

Step 4: Work with Experts

Guiding the regional householding merchant can be complex, notably if you’re not fluent in this region. Hiring a realtor, lawyer, and registrar will guarantee that the transfers are conducted legally and smoothly. In contrast, be prepared for additional costs, as their services come with fees that can add up to a few percentage points of the final price.

Step 5: Secure Financing (If Applicable)

If you’re not buying the householding outright, receiving a mortgage in this region is possible but can be challenging. Italian banks are cautious when lending to foreigners, requiring extensive documentation to assess financial stability. Expect to provide proof of income, financial records, and a sizable down payment. Typically, banks lend up to 70-80% of the householding value, with debt financing terms ranging from five to 30 years. Interest rates may be higher due to the perceived risk of lending to non-residents.

Step 6: Calculate Additional Outcomes

Beyond the final cost, several additional outcomes must be accounted for:

  • Notary and lawful levies: 1-2% of the householding cost
  • Realtor levies: 3-4% of the final cost(if applicable)
  • Registration tax: 2% if it’s your primary residence; 7% if it’s a vacation home
  • Loan charge: 2-4%
  • Cadastral fee: 1%
  • Miscellaneous levies: Inspections, land registry levies, translation services, and local utility costs

Step 7: Find Your Ideal Property

With Italy’s diverse regions, choosing the right location is crucial. Consider factors like climate, lifestyle, and accessibility to amenities. Coastal towns offer Mediterranean charm, while countryside properties provide tranquility. If you’re interested in city life, Rome, Florence, and Milan present vibrant real estate markets.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, begin viewing properties. Keep in mind that homes in Italy often differ from what you may be used to—walk-in closets and open floor plans are rare, and older homes may require significant renovations. Setting realistic expectations is key.

Step 8: Make an Offer

Once you’ve found the perfect home, work with your notary and real estate agent to negotiate an offer. A thorough inspection is essential to avoid unexpected surprises, such as undisclosed co-owners or unclear property boundaries. In some cases, multiple family members may need to approve the sale, which can complicate transactions. Having local connections or professional assistance can prevent unforeseen hurdles.

Step 9: Close the Deal

After finalizing negotiations and reviewing the legal contract, you’ll sign the official purchase agreement. Your attorney should review the terms to ensure clarity and fairness. Upon completion, the property title is transferred, and the keys are yours!

A Final Word of Advice

Many foreign buyers make the mistake of purchasing a home without thoroughly understanding the area. If possible, rent in the location you’re considering for at least six months. This allows you to experience the community, establish relationships, and gain insider knowledge about the local market. Italians are known for their hospitality, and building local connections can prove invaluable in your real estate journey.

Owning property in Italy is a dream for many, and with careful planning, it can become a reality. Whether for investment, a vacation getaway, or a permanent move, buying a home in Italy can be a rewarding experience. With patience and the right guidance, you’ll soon be enjoying your own slice of la dolce vita.

Related insights

Obtaining a license for an investment fund (UIF, ZPIF, AIF)

Regulators are tightening their control over collective-investment vehicles in numerous jurisdictions. Although the names vary from market to market, the general pattern is the same: before a fund can begin operations, managers must complete a comprehensive authorisation process. The approval procedure for Unit Funds, Closed-End Unit Funds and Alternative Funds is usually lengthy, document-heavy and…

Read more 11.12.2025

How to Choose a VASP License: A Guide for Crypto Businesses

By the end of 2025, a more strict and disciplined structure has been established in the token-asset market. A few years ago, improvised approaches were prevalent, but they are no longer effective. The standard for how businesses handle token instruments has increased, and regulators now keep a careful eye on this market. Instead of being…

Read more 09.12.2025

Launching a FinTech Company or Neobank in Latin America

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ economic sector of the Latin America region is one of the most promising of the financial services industry at the global level today. The region offers the perfect environment with such factors as a high number of unbanked people, increasing mobile adoption rates, and evolving regulatory frameworks all converging there and acting as the…

Read more 02.12.2025

Fintech, payment, e-money, MSB and banking licenses — a guide to different types of licenses

Over​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the past decade, the finance world has been significantly changed by the wave of fintech companies that are global in their operations, use advanced technology, and are direct challengers to the regular banks and fiscal formations. Because of the major variations in authorizing conditions within separate regions, businesspeople are often confused with the options…

Read more 01.12.2025

Full banking license or e-money license? Here’s what you need to know

After​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ deciding to enter the fin-services domain or wanting to expand the reach of an existing fintech enterprise a basic strategic decision comes up—between whether to opt for a full banking authorization or obtain an e-money license. Both ways open the doors to doing regulated financial business. Still, the choice significantly affects the range of…

Read more 29.11.2025

How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping the Financial Services Industry

The arrival of AI in money endeavors is no longer a matter of speculation but rather a reality reshaping the methods, the competitive tactics, and the continuous evolution of commerce. Fin-institutions across the board are seeing AI modifications to the business strategies as legislative compliance is becoming fully automatized and credit granting is enhanced through…

Read more 27.11.2025

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Shelf Companies in the UK

Perhaps you relish a thought of starting a business in Great Britain. Then, buying a shelf company could be the first thing coming to your head. Being already incorporated, such “ready-made firms” have never been used. They’re waiting for their owner who can put them to work. It could be you.  For some entrepreneurs, such…

Read more 13.10.2025

New Swiss AML Rules 2025: Key Points You Need to Know

Switzerland has always been known for its stable and investor-friendly financial system. Nevertheless, for the last time, this country has been facing constant international pressure to make sure that the country’s financial strength is not used illegally for money laundering and terrorist financing. For nearly ten years, Swiss watchdogs have made a number of tweaks…

Read more 02.10.2025

Crypto License: Best Countries for Cryptocurrency Broker License & Registration

A solid legal foundation is essential in the world of digital assets. A crypto license is a key part of building a trusted business, and as rules become clearer, choosing the right jurisdiction is the first critical step. Many entrepreneurs look for a crypto exchange license for sale to accelerate their market entry. This guide…

Read more 02.10.2025

Legal Structures in Switzerland: Which Fits Your Business Model Best?

Starting a business in Switzerland gives you access to the safe and prestigious market. The first stage in choosing a legal settlement in this country is to decide the suitable legislative structures. This election dictates your fiscal liability, tax status, and daily operations. It sets the course for the future of your firm. While most…

Read more 30.09.2025

How to Choose the Best Canton: A Practical Guide to Swiss Taxation

The country’s unusual political organization grants its 26 cantons significant latitude over their tax laws. This generates a competitive marketplace in which there can be wide disparities in tax rates from one jurisdiction to another. Anyone wishing to live, work or invest in the country needs to know about these! Where you settle down is…

Read more 29.09.2025

Top 9 Countries With Best Offshore Bank Accounts For 2025

The current offshore banking model continues as a very effective measure for the security, diversification, and investment of wealth on a global scale. Extending an off-shore account in the right jurisdiction will provide benefits that range from greater privacy to tax benefits and access to a wide array of acquisition possibilities, depending upon whether one…

Read more 29.09.2025