How much tax is paid on residential rentals?

Italy has progressive tax rates. If you lease residential real estate on a regular basis you need to declare your total annual rental income every year. If this amount does not exceed € 15,000 per year, it is taxed at 23% plus 2% of the annual rent. If the annual rental income is greater than € 75,000, it is taxed at 43% plus 2% of the total annual rent. However, paying less tax is possible: for example, when registering a rental contract with the cedolare secca option, the tax rate is fixed at 21% of the annual rent. And on a comodato d'uso contract, no tax is paid because this type of agreement implies a temporary provision of housing for free.

What is the house purchase payment process?

According to Italian law, non-residents must open a local bank account and transfer the full property purchase amount to it. In addition, 10% of the deposit must be paid by bank cheque. When the notarial act is issued, the bank will issue a cheque with the remaining amount to the seller.

What documents are required to buy a house in Italy?

Passport; Marriage certificate or premarital agreement; Tax identification code – codice fiscale (on request from an Italian consulate in the applicant's home country or the local tax authorities).

Which regions of Italy offer the cheapest house prices?

It’s possible to buy a one-bedroom apartment for about € 60,000 in the city of Pizzo (Calabria) and from € 105,000 in the region of Abruzzo.

How much does it cost to maintain a house in Italy?

Residential property maintenance costs comprise three parts: tax, utilities, and insurance. Italy introduced a unique communal property tax called imposta unica comunale (IUC) on January 01, 2014. It is calculated on three taxes: Municipal property tax (imposta municipale unica, IMU). It is levied at 0.76% but not on the real estate used as primary residence; Waste tax (TARI) – about € 100; Municipal tax for road maintenance, street lighting, and so on. On average, the tax on an 85 m² apartment is about € 850 per year. As for utility payments, they depend on the property. Anywhere between € 200-5,000 per annum for an apartment, depending on its size, while a villa with a swimming pool will be somewhere between € 1,200-6,000 per annum. The insurance fee depends on a property’s value and usually ranges from € 300-2,000 per annum (usually 1–2% of the property value)

Can Italian citizenship be obtained through buying a house?

Property owners do not automatically become Italian citizens. It is necessary to live in the country for at least 10 years before becoming eligible for citizenship.

Which regions of Italy are the most promising for investing in real estate?

The most advantageous regions in terms of property investment are Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria thanks to the well-developed infrastructure, which fuels price growth.

What is the process for the transaction closure?

To start, you need to open an Italian bank account and obtain a tax identification code. After that, a deposit is paid to reserve the property. The sum of the deposit is 1% of the purchase amount. Next, a sales agreement is signed. If the transaction closure is particularly time-consuming, a preliminary agreement with a deposit of as much as 10–30% can be signed. The final sales agreement is processed at a notary office. The agreement is also officially registered with Italy’s Real Estate Registration Department. The payment can be made in two ways: by a cheque or via a direct transfer of funds from the buyer’s bank account. After this is sorted, the new owner will receive the keys, sales agreement, and property register extract.

Do foreigners pay the same property taxes as Italians?

Yes, in Italy the taxes for residents and non-residents are the same. If buying a new-build you will have to pay: VAT — 4% of the property value; Fixed registration tax — € 200; Fixed mortgage tax — € 200; Fixed cadastral tax — € 200; For an existing property you will have to pay: Fixed registration tax — 9% of the property value (€ 1,000 at least); Fixed mortgage tax — € 50; Fixed registration tax — € 50. Owners pay a communal tax of up to 10.6%. Income tax for individuals is between 23–43%.

Are there any extra costs related to the purchase of house in Italy?

Yes, in addition to the expenses mentioned above there are a number of additional costs. For example, the payment of notary fees at 2–4% of the property's assessed value. This includes: Cadastral tax and a mortgage instalment – € 50 or € 200 depending on the buyer's residence permit availability; State duty – € 230; property tax – € 24.71; State register inscription fee – € 90; Notary fee – about 1–2.5% (for properties priced between € 300,000-1M the fee is € 5,000-7,000).

Can non-residents obtain a residential mortgage loan in in Italy?

Yes, but it is difficult to do so. Non-residents must have lived in Italy for at least two years and in some cases for five years. The income must be euro or dollar -denominated.

What is the process for property title registration in Italy?

Property title registration involves several stages. Firstly, the parties sign the sales agreement at a notary office. The notary then forwards the information to state agencies: tax authority, cadastre chamber office, and registration chamber. The lead time for documents ranges from a few days to three months, depending on the region where the transaction is closed. Only when all of the registration processes are completed does the buyer receive their original documents.

Buy house in Italy from 95,000 € - homes, villas for sale in Italy

Stone three-level villa with a pool and a garden, Siena, Tuscany, Italy for 680,000 €

With swimming pool

Stone three-level villa with a pool and a garden, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

680,000 €

Total area 170 m²5 bedrooms3 bathrooms

170 m², 5 bedrooms, villa

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

680,000 €

Comfortable villa with a quality finish, two terraces, two balconies, a swimming pool, parking and a well-kept garden. The house... Read more

Luxury villa immersed in a large park with typical Mediterranean vegetation plants and olive trees in Tuscany, Italy for 1,500,000 €

With swimming pool

Luxury villa immersed in a large park with typical Mediterranean vegetation plants and olive trees in Tuscany, Italy

1,500,000 €

Land area: 250 m²4 bedrooms2 bathrooms

4 bedrooms, villa + plot 250 m²

Tuscany, Italy

1,500,000 €

The prestigious two-storey villa is located in a large park of about 10,000 m², which houses both typical beautiful... Read more

Residence permit

New apartments with sea views in Nice, Cote d'Azur, France

410,000 €

2 bedrooms 1 bathroom

Luxury old villa with а swimming pool, Tuscany, Italy for 1,750,000 €

With swimming pool

Luxury old villa with а swimming pool, Tuscany, Italy

1,750,000 €

Total area 659 m²Land area: 110,000 m²6 bedrooms7 bathrooms

659 m², 6 bedrooms, villa + plot 110,000 m²

Tuscany, Italy

1,750,000 €

Three-storey villa with an area of 659 m² with outbuilding, underground warehouse and swimming pool, located in a secluded,... Read more

Luxury villa with olive garden and sea view, Zoagli, Genoa, Italy for 1,900,000 €

With balcony/terrace

Luxury villa with olive garden and sea view, Zoagli, Genoa, Italy

1,900,000 €

Total area 240 m²Land area: 1,200 m²4 bedrooms4 bathrooms

240 m², 4 bedrooms, villa + plot 1,200 m²

Zoagli, Liguria, Italy

1,900,000 €

For sale: a luxury villa located in a beautiful area on the hills between Chiavari and Rapallo. The house is accessed... Read more

Luxury villa surrounded by a beautiful park, with a private pool and Spa overlooking the magnificent Garda Lake, Italy for 3,000,000 €

With swimming pool

Luxury villa surrounded by a beautiful park, with a private pool and Spa overlooking the magnificent Garda Lake, Italy

3,000,000 €

Land area: 7,000 m²4 bedrooms5 bathrooms

4 bedrooms, villa + plot 7,000 m²

Padenghe sul Garda, Lombardy, Italy

3,000,000 €

Villa with a unique view of the Garda Lake for sale. The villa is surrounded by a magnificent park of 3,000 m² and a private... Read more

Villa with a park and a swimming pool in a prestigious guarded residential complex, in a green area, close to Rome, Italy for 1,950,000 €

With swimming pool

Villa with a park and a swimming pool in a prestigious guarded residential complex, in a green area, close to Rome, Italy

1,950,000 €

Total area 525 m²Land area: 6,500 m²5 bedrooms6 bathrooms

525 m², 5 bedrooms, villa + plot 6,500 m²

Rome, Lazio, Italy

1,950,000 €

We offer a luxury villa featuring a large swimming pool, a garage, a landscaped garden with a lawn and a terrace with... Read more

Comfortable villa with a private garden, a swimming pool, a garage, a terrace and a Lake view, Lenno, Italy for 1,250,000 €

With swimming pool

Comfortable villa with a private garden, a swimming pool, a garage, a terrace and a Lake view, Lenno, Italy

1,250,000 €

Total area 250 m²3 bedrooms2 bathrooms

250 m², 3 bedrooms, villa

Lenno, Lombardy, Italy

1,250,000 €

A comfortable villa overlooking the lake is surrounded by a large private garden with a swimming pool and a garage. The villa... Read more

Renovated villa 17th century, Santa Maria Maggiore, Italy for 690,000 €

With balcony/terrace

Renovated villa 17th century, Santa Maria Maggiore, Italy

690,000 €

Total area 290 m²Land area: 1,000 m²6 bedrooms3 bathrooms

290 m², 6 bedrooms, villa + plot 1,000 m²

Piedmont, Italy

690,000 €

The villa (290 m²) was built in the middle of the 17th century, and in 2011 it has been renovated by architect Lorenzo... Read more

A luxury villa with a garden by the Lake and a private pier, Salo, Italy. Price on request

With balcony/terrace

A luxury villa with a garden by the Lake and a private pier, Salo, Italy

Price on request

Total area 700 m²Land area: 1,500 m²6 bedrooms7 bathrooms

700 m², 6 bedrooms, villa + plot 1,500 m²

Salò, Lombardy, Italy

Price on request

Built in the early 20th century and renovated 11 years ago, this luxury villa is located in the town of Salo, on the lake. A fabulous... Read more

Two-storey villa with a vineyard and an olive plantation in Castagneto Carducci, Tuscany, Italy for 1,450,000 €

With swimming pool

Two-storey villa with a vineyard and an olive plantation in Castagneto Carducci, Tuscany, Italy

1,450,000 €

Total area 425 m²Land area: 2,000 m²6 bedrooms8 bathrooms

425 m², 6 bedrooms, villa + plot 2,000 m²

Castagneto Carducci, Tuscany, Italy

1,450,000 €

The charming house is surrounded by a garden with a swimming pool 6x12 m and a covered parking. The villa is in good... Read more

Beautiful two-storey villa with a pool and a garden, Zagarolo, Italy for 800,000 €

With swimming pool

Beautiful two-storey villa with a pool and a garden, Zagarolo, Italy

800,000 €

Total area 260 m²Land area: 5,500 m²3 bedrooms3 bathrooms

260 m², 3 bedrooms, villa + plot 5,500 m²

Zagarolo, Lazio, Italy

800,000 €

Comfortable furnished villa near Rome. The villa is surrounded by a beautiful garden of 5.500 m² The garden has a swimming... Read more

With balcony/terrace

Villa – Liguria, Italy

1,000,000 €

Total area 303 m²6 bedrooms

303 m², 6 bedrooms, villa

Liguria, Italy

1,000,000 €

Villa for sale in Imperia with wonderful sea view. Between Imperia and Diano Marina, in a dominant, sunny, quiet position... Read more

Refined property of timeless charm in the town centre of Como for 1,250,000 €

With balcony/terrace

Refined property of timeless charm in the town centre of Como

1,250,000 €

Total area 220 m²3 bedrooms4 bathrooms

220 m², 3 bedrooms, villa

Lake Como, Lombardy, Italy

1,250,000 €

The property, which is located in a privileged position on the Lungolago of Como, wins for its unique style and the fairytale... Read more

Renovated villa in Rigomagno, Siena, Italy. Price on request

Renovated villa in Rigomagno, Siena, Italy

Price on request

Total area 110 m²2 bedrooms2 bathrooms

110 m², 2 bedrooms, villa

Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Price on request

The villa is located in an ancient village of Rigomagno. The house was built of stone. The first floor comprises a living... Read more

Historic three-storey villa with a swimming pool and a tennis court, Fauglia, Italy for 1,650,000 €

With swimming pool

Historic three-storey villa with a swimming pool and a tennis court, Fauglia, Italy

1,650,000 €

Total area 930 m²Land area: 10,000 m²

930 m², villa + plot 10,000 m²

Fauglia, Tuscany, Italy

1,650,000 €

We offer a villa, built in the beginning of the previous century and featuring a greenhouse, a swimming pool, a tennis... Read more

Historic villa with a picturesque park, Fauglia, Italy for 1,350,000 €

With balcony/terrace

Historic villa with a picturesque park, Fauglia, Italy

1,350,000 €

Total area 510 m²Land area: 4,000 m²11 bedrooms4 bathrooms

510 m², 11 bedrooms, villa + plot 4,000 m²

Fauglia, Tuscany, Italy

1,350,000 €

We offer a villa in need of renovation featuring a large beautiful park, a picturesque view of the surrounding hills,... Read more

Comfortable two-storey cottage with a private garden, two garages, a terrace and a sea view, Castiglioncello, Italy for 2,200,000 €

Comfortable two-storey cottage with a private garden, two garages, a terrace and a sea view, Castiglioncello, Italy

2,200,000 €

Total area 400 m²Land area: 800 m²7 bedrooms3 bathrooms

400 m², 7 bedrooms, detached house + plot 800 m²

Castiglioncello, Tuscany, Italy

2,200,000 €

A comfortable two-story cottage with a magnificent architectural character has a private garden of more than 800 m². The house... Read more

Comfortable villa with a private garden, a swimming pool and a parking, Lucca, Italy for 2,600,000 €

With swimming pool

Comfortable villa with a private garden, a swimming pool and a parking, Lucca, Italy

2,600,000 €

Total area 368 m²Land area: 5,000 m²

368 m², villa + plot 5,000 m²

Lucca, Tuscany, Italy

2,600,000 €

A comfortable villa in the vicinity of Lucca is currently being used as a hotel located in a large, 5,000 m² large,... Read more

New villa with a parking and a park in a quiet area, close to the Vatican City, Rome, Italy for 5,800,000 €

With balcony/terrace

New villa with a parking and a park in a quiet area, close to the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

5,800,000 €

Total area 700 m²Land area: 2,400 m²

700 m², villa + plot 2,400 m²

Rome, Lazio, Italy

5,800,000 €

We offer a villa that will be completed upon buyer's request. The house features a courtyard of 120 m², a parking of 40... Read more

Elite villa with a terrace, sea views, a pool and a spacious plot, near the beach, San Remo, Liguria, Italy for 2,500,000 €

With swimming pool

Elite villa with a terrace, sea views, a pool and a spacious plot, near the beach, San Remo, Liguria, Italy

2,500,000 €

4 bedrooms2 bathrooms

4 bedrooms, villa

Sanremo, Liguria, Italy

2,500,000 €

Comfortable, furnished villa with a high-quality finish, a spacious terrace, a balcony, sea views, a swimming pool,... Read more

With balcony/terrace

Tuscan cottage with a large plot, a private garden and a terrace, Impruneta, Italy

2,500,000 €

Total area 530 m²Land area: 30,000 m²5 bedrooms6 bathrooms

530 m², 5 bedrooms, townhome + plot 30,000 m²

Impruneta, Tuscany, Italy

2,500,000 €

An immersed in an authentic Tuscan landscape with valleys of olive groves and vines, this charming rural cottage is... Read more

Ancient stone villa in Foiano della Chiana, Tuscany, Italy for 520,000 €

With balcony/terrace

Ancient stone villa in Foiano della Chiana, Tuscany, Italy

520,000 €

Total area 400 m²Land area: 3,000 m²3 bedrooms1 bathroom

400 m², 3 bedrooms, villa + plot 3,000 m²

Foiano della Chiana, Tuscany, Italy

520,000 €

A few years ago the house was renovated with the preservation of the original interior elements. On the plot there... Read more

Villa – Santa Marinella, Lazio, Italy for 550,000 €

With balcony/terrace

Villa – Santa Marinella, Lazio, Italy

550,000 €

Total area 140 m²4 bedrooms

140 m², 4 bedrooms, villa

Santa Marinella, Lazio, Italy

550,000 €

Villa with a pool, a garden and a beautiful views of the countryside, Tuscany, Italy for 1,690,000 €

Villa with a pool, a garden and a beautiful views of the countryside, Tuscany, Italy

1,690,000 €

Total area 800 m²Land area: 30,000 m²12 bedrooms12 bathrooms

800 m², 12 bedrooms, detached house + plot 30,000 m²

Tuscany, Italy

1,690,000 €

Furnished villa in Crete Senesi. Separation of the house allows you to use it as a separate villa for a family or can... Read more

Ancient villa with a park and a tennis court in Casole d'Elsa, Tuscany, Italy for 630,000 €

With swimming pool

Ancient villa with a park and a tennis court in Casole d'Elsa, Tuscany, Italy

630,000 €

Total area 480 m²Land area: 20,000 m²8 bedrooms9 bathrooms

480 m², 8 bedrooms, villa + plot 20,000 m²

Casole D'elsa, Tuscany, Italy

630,000 €

The property is in good condition (the last restoration in 2006), but it can be remade into the house of your dreams.... Read more

Houses for sale in Italy

FAQ about Italy