FAQ about buying and renting real estate in Italy

Italy is, without exaggeration, a country that has everything. Beach holidays near warm clear seas and ski resorts, a rich cultural heritage and a developed fashion and shopping industry. 

Also delicious food and the best wine. What else does a person need to be happy?

Buying property in the Lake Como area

• Price per square meter in the city center 4,750 €
• Price per square meter outside the center 2,833 €

Rent

• One-bedroom apartment in the city center 825€
• One-bedroom apartment outside the city center 566 €
• 3 bedrooms apartment in the city center 1,633 €
• 3 bedrooms apartment  outside the city center 937 €

Buying property in Florence

• Price per square meter in the city center 5,340 €
• Price per square meter outside the center 3,358 €

Rent

• One-bedroom apartment in the city center 833 €
• One-bedroom apartment outside the city center 627 €
• 3 bedroom Apartment in the city center 1,665 €
• 3 bedroom apartment outside the city center 1,038 €

If both the buyer and the seller are two individuals and the item being sold is a residential property, then the buyer must pay tax to a government agency.

Real estate purchase tax is calculated on the basis of the cadastral value of the property, which is usually less than the actual purchase price or its market value

If the property is to be used as a "second home", then the tax is 9%.

There is a tax calculation formula to determine the taxable base. The tax percentage depends on the status of the buyer: resident in Italy or non-resident.

If the buyer plans to become a resident of Italy and make the property his main residence within 18 months from the date of purchase, then the tax is 2% of the cadastral value.

Typically, your real estate agent will tell you the amount of tax due.

Buyers of new buildings are exempt from paying the L'Imposta di Registro tax, instead they pay VAT - Imposta sul Valore Aggiunto (Value Added Tax) on the actual sale price of the property.

For buyers who will use the property as their primary residence, the tax is 4%.

For non-resident buyers and those who will use the property as a second home, the tax is 10%. If the property belongs to the elite category (code A1, A8 or A9) VAT will be 22%.

The notary's fee depends on the value of the property and the complexity of the contract of sale.

The cost of notary services also includes tax fees, which the notary is obliged to pay on behalf of the buyer.

As a rule, notarial services for the purchase of real estate range from 800 to 5,000 euros.

Real estate tax is paid to the local government - "commune", at the location. According to Italian law, local authorities can independently set the amount of tax.

If you are a resident of a "commune" or plan to become a resident within the first 18 months of purchasing the property, and the house is not a luxury property and will be used as your primary residence, then there is no annual tax.

If the property is a luxury residence (code A1, A8 or A9) and is your main residence, you pay 60% tax. If the property is a "second home", you pay the full amount of the tax.

You can ask your real estate agent for the IMU tax.

If the buyer does not speak Italian, according to Italian law, the "notarial deed" must be translated into his native language by a licensed translator.

In addition, the presence of an interpreter may be required during the notarization. Often the notary will recommend a trusted translator, and the cost of translation services will be included in the notary's estimate.

Real estate agencies usually charge a commission of 3% to 5% on the actual sale price of the property.

The most common being a commission of 4% plus 22% VAT.

In Italy, there is no program for obtaining a residence permit through investment, unlike other European countries (Spain, Portugal, Latvia, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece). Therefore, the purchase of real estate in Italy does not entitle foreign citizens to obtain a residence permit automatically.

At the same time, a residence permit in Italy can be obtained on the basis of a D visa.

One of the necessary conditions for applying for a residence permit in Italy is a document confirming the place of residence in the country: own housing or a long-term lease agreement. Also among the conditions for obtaining a residence permit in Italy - the minimum passive income of the applicant must be at least 31 thousand euros per year.

If the spouse also applies for residence permit status, the amount increases by 20%, as well as by 5% for each child.

• The applicant and his family members are not required to take language proficiency exams or invest in the country's economy. It is enough to have regular passive income.
• Travel without visas in the Schengen countries.

• A residence permit makes it possible to obtain a privilege for the purchase of the first real estate, simplifies access to obtaining loans from local banks, and allows you to register a car as a property.
• After 10 years, you can apply for Italian citizenship.

• The applicant must not be absent from the country for more than six months in a row, otherwise he may be denied an extension of the residence permit.

• The applicant is limited in employment and doing business in Italy, but can receive passive income from the rental of real estate.
• The applicant pays taxes in Italy on worldwide income.