How to buy property in Italia
A practical guide for buyers (including foreigners): step-by-step process, purchase costs, annual taxes, financing and quirks in Italia. Informational, verified August 2026 — not legal advice.
Can foreigners buy?
EU citizens buy freely; non-EU under reciprocity. You need a codice fiscale.
The process, step by step
- 1Codice fiscale + bank account
- 2Proposta d'acquisto (offer) with deposit
- 3Compromesso (preliminary contract), 10–20% deposit
- 4Rogito at the notary + payment
- 5The notary registers the transfer
Purchase costs (on top of the price)
| Registration tax (second home) | 9% din val. cadastrală |
| Prima casa (residents) | 2% |
| VAT on new builds | 10% (4% prima casa) |
| Notary | ~1–2% |
Annual taxes: IMU on second homes (~0.4–1.06% of cadastral); primary residence usually exempt.
💶 What it costs to buy a €200,000 home in Italia
What it really costs you, with taxes, notary and registry included — estimated from the country's rules, before you talk to a notary.
| Resident | Non-resident / second home | |
|---|---|---|
| Registration tax (prima casa, residents) | €4,000 | — |
| Notary | €2,000 – €4,000 | €2,000 – €4,000 |
| Registration tax (second home) | — | €18,000 |
| Estimated final price | €206,000 – €208,000 | €220,000 – €222,000 |
Indicative estimate from the country's public rules; rates differ by region and by your situation. Not tax advice.
Financing as a non-resident
Non-residents usually get at most 50–60% financing.
Quirks that surprise buyers
- ⚠️ Taxes are computed on the CADASTRAL value (often far below price) — a big advantage
- ⚠️ The proposta d'acquisto binds you earlier than you might expect
- ⚠️ €1 houses come with binding renovation deadlines
Frequently asked questions
- Can I buy property in Italia as a foreigner?
- EU citizens buy freely; non-EU under reciprocity. You need a codice fiscale.
- What costs and taxes do I pay when buying in Italia?
- Registration tax (second home): 9% din val. cadastrală; Prima casa (residents): 2%; VAT on new builds: 10% (4% prima casa); Notary: ~1–2%. IMU on second homes (~0.4–1.06% of cadastral); primary residence usually exempt.
- Can I get a mortgage in Italia as a non-resident?
- Non-residents usually get at most 50–60% financing.