FAQ

Yes, you can - However:

1. By default, renting out a property in Italy means earning an income on Italian soil.
2. This means you are liable to pay Italian taxes on that income whether you are resident in Italy or not (and whether or not you pay your annual taxes elsewhere).

No, it is impossible to buy Italian citizenship or get it by direct investment. But a residence permit can be obtained through the Italy Golden Visa program.

Purchasing real estate in Italy does not entitle foreign citizens to a residence permit in the country. Except under certain circumstances and starting and investing certain amounts to start a business in Italy.

For this we recommend you contact the Italian embassy for the requirements that apply at that time.

If you are a EU citizen, you can purchase property in Italy without the need to establish residency.
If you are not an Italian or EU citizen and do not have a long-term visa, you will only be able to stay in Italy for 90 days, and visa requirements for the standard tourist visa will apply.

After five years of legal stay, and provided the eligibility requirements are met, a foreign national can apply for permanent residency i.e. EU residence permit for long-term residents (Permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo), which is valid indefinitely.

Absolutely yes, many Americans buy properties in Italy, and you do not need citizenship. You can buy as a resident if you qualify and intend living there, or as a non-resident.
Many Americans think citizenship is needed but this is not the case.

UK nationals can buy property or land in Italy whether or not you live there. Read guidance on buying property abroad.
See the visas and residency section for the actions you must take if you have guests staying at your property.

Yes, Canadians can legally purchase property in Italy with no restrictions. However, you will need an Italian tax identification number (Codice Fiscale).

Americans must have an entrance visa which should be obtained at an Italian consulate before coming to Italy, in order to remain in Italy more than three months and gain resident status. This procedure will take several weeks to complete so it is advisable to apply well in advance of the departure date.

The minimum Italy investor visa requirement is a €250,000 investment in an innovative startup. Other options are a business investment of €500,000+, a donation to a philanthropic organization of €1,000,000+, purchase of government bonds of €2,000,000+.

Buying a home in Italy can be a smooth process with the right guidance, but the timeline can vary depending on different factors.
In general, it takes about 3 to 6 months from signing the first preliminary agreement to signing the title deed at the notary.

For the full costs and taxes related to owning a property, click here.

Annual property costs in Italy can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the property's location, size, and whether it's your primary residence. Generally, you can expect to pay between 1% and 2% of the property's value annually for taxes, insurance, and maintenance. This can range from a few hundred Euros for smaller apartments to several thousand Euros for larger estates

*) IMU (Imposta Municipale Propria): This is the local municipal tax, and if the property is your primary residence, you may be exempt, unless it's a luxury property (classified as A/1, A/8, or A/9).

*) TARI (Tassa sui Rifiuti): This is the waste disposal tax, and the cost is based on the property's size and the number of residents.

*) Insurance:
You'll need to factor in insurance costs, which will vary depending on the property type and coverage.

*) Maintenance:
Regular maintenance and potential repairs will also contribute to your annual costs.

*) Condominium Fees:
If your property is part of a condominium, you'll have annual fees for common areas, services, etc.

*) Utility Bills:
Costs for electricity, gas, and water will depend on your usage and the property's size.

*) Example:
For a property valued at €100,000, you might pay €1,000 - €2,000 annually for taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
A family of four in a 120 square meter home might pay around €300-€400 per year for TARI.

Condominium fees can range from €200 to €1000+ per year for properties with shared amenities.

Additional Considerations:
Cadastral Value: Property taxes are often calculated based on the cadastral value of the property, which is a standardized value used for tax purposes.

Second Homes: If the property is not your primary residence, you will likely have to pay IMU on it.

Luxury Properties: Luxury homes may have higher property tax rates and other associated costs.

A permesso di soggiorno, also known as a residence permit or permit to stay, is a document that permits you to remain in Italy.
It is issued by the Italian police after you arrive in Italy. You must apply for this within 8 days of your arrival, it is another process, separate from the visa application.

Yes, anyway having an Italian tax code does not imply any tax duty.
The Italian term “Codice Fiscale” is commonly translated as “tax code”, “fiscal code” or “tax number”. The Italian Codice Fiscale is an Italian identification code.
The personal Codice Fiscale is the result of a formula applied to a person’s name, date and place of birth. The Codice Fiscale for entities (business, foundations, etc.) is a random number assigned by the Italian Tax Office.

It is mandatory to have an Italian tax code for a number of Italian activities such as to open an Italian bank account, to start an Italian court dispute, to buy or inherit an Italian property, to register a preliminary contract for a property purchase, to buy a mobile phone number, to apply for a utility connection, to rent a property for more than 30 days, etc.

We provide the codice fiscale service as professional delegated representatives who can apply for and obtain a tax code certificate on your behalf, without you needing to personally deal with Italian tax authorities or to provide documents that might be difficult or time consuming to retrieve. Through our service you can get the Italian tax code completely remotely.

1- What does rural mean in Italy? In Italy, the term "rural" (rurale in Italian) generally refers to a farm/ranch still in business or still zoned at the
land registry for agricultural use.

2- What does "de-ruralize" mean in Italy?
In the context of Italy, "de-ruralize" (or "de-ruralization") refers to the process where a formerly rural or
agricultural area experiences a decline in its traditional agricultural activities and a shift towards other forms
of economic activity, often involving urbanization, industrialization, or the growth of tourism and services.

3- Who pays the costs of de-ruralization in Italy?
The costs of de-regularizing a property depend on what the buyer wherefore to buy and use the property
for. These can be contractually agreed in advance between buyer and seller, depending on the
negotiations.

Read the entire article on ''deruralizzare''.

For non-resident foreign buyers (like a UK or US resident with income in his country): The typical maximum is around 60–70% LTV.
In fact, most Italian lenders will expect a down payment of at least 40–50% of the purchase price from foreign non-residents.

Italian Banks usually accept mortgage request for a sum amounting not less than 70,000 euro; A mortgage cannot be grated for a sum that covers 100% of the cost of the property.
The maximum mortgage is typically 50-80% of the purchase price depending on your individual circumstances.

Your country must have a treaty of reciprocity with Italy. This treaty allows citizens of both countries to buy property in each other's territories. The US and Italy have this treaty, so there are no restrictions on Americans purchasing property in Italy.

Codice fiscale: This is Italy's equivalent of a tax ID number, and you'll need it for most financial transactions.
You can get it for free through the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) or at an Italian consulate abroad.

Italian bank account: Most mortgage lenders will require you to open an Italian bank account.
You'll need your codice fiscale to do this, so handle that first.

These are the main legal requirements for Italian mortgages, but there are also important financial criteria to take into consideration.