​​Property Maintenance Costs in Italy in 2026

Owning a property in Italy involves not only the purchase, but also the regular maintenance costs of the property. These costs include taxes, utilities, insurance, and possible maintenance costs for the building and grounds. Depending on the type of property, its area, location and technical condition, annual costs can range from 1 to 3% of its market value.

Property Taxes

In Italy, property owners are required to pay several types of taxes annually, the main of which are IMU, TARI and, in some cases, TASI. The size of the tax burden depends on the type of property, its use (main housing or investment property), the area of the facility and the region in which it is located.

IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica)

Municipal property tax, which is paid twice a year: until June 16 and December 16. It applies to secondary residences, non-residential properties, and luxury homes, even if they are used as primary housing. The base rate ranges from 0.4% to 1.06%, most often about 0.76%. The tax is calculated from the cadastral value of the property, increased by 5% and multiplied by the established coefficient (160 for residential real estate).

TARI (Tassa sui Rifiuti)

The tax on the removal of household waste. It is paid once a year and is calculated depending on the area of the facility and the number of registered residents. On average, for an apartment of about 80 sq. m. For a family of four living in a square meter, the amount of TARI is approximately 300–350 euros per year. The rates and calculation formulas may vary by region and are determined by local authorities.

TASI (Tributo sui Servizi Indivisibili)

A tax on inseparable municipal services such as street lighting and maintenance of public spaces. Since 2020, it has been combined with the IMU, but in some municipalities it can be applied separately within the general top rate of 1.06%. Its value in the tax burden is minimal and rarely exceeds 0.1–0.3%.

Taxes on the Purchase of Property

One-time taxes and fees are charged when buying a property. If the property is purchased from a private individual, the buyer pays a registration tax: 2% of the cadastral value when buying as the main home and 9% if it is a secondary property. The minimum tax amount is 1,000 euros. When buying real estate from a company (for example, a developer), VAT is paid instead of the registration tax: 4% (if the housing is main), 10% (if secondary), or 22% (if the property belongs to the luxury class). Fixed cadastral and mortgage fees are also added — from 50 to 200 euros, depending on the seller.

Capital Gains Tax (Plusvalenza)

If an individual sells a property in Italy earlier than 5 years after the purchase, and the property was not used as a primary residence (prima casa), then a tax is charged on the capital gains received.

• The tax rate is 26% of the difference between the purchase price and the sale price (minus documented expenses: repairs, notary services, agency fees, etc.).
• If the property is inherited or received as a gift, no tax is charged.
• If the property has been owned for more than 5 years or has been used as a primary dwelling, no tax is paid.
• The tax can be paid in two ways: directly to the tax inspectorate when submitting the declaration; or immediately to the notary at the conclusion of the transaction (in this case, he will withhold 26% and transfer it to the budget).

The Luxury Tax (Imposta sul lusso)

In Italy, there is no separate luxury tax in the classical sense for residential real estate. However, high-end real estate classified as A/1 (villas), A/8 (castles), and A/9 (historical residences) is subject to increased rates of other taxes:

• The IMU is charged even if it is the main dwelling, unlike ordinary properties.
• VAT and registration tax upon purchase are also applied at the full rate (usually 10–22%), without benefits.

Utility Costs

Property owners in Italy incur regular utility costs, which include electricity, gas, water supply, heating, Internet and, in apartment buildings, maintenance costs for the common parts of the building (spese condominiali). The amount of utility bills depends on the area of the facility, the type of housing (apartment or house), the region, the season, and the availability of central or autonomous heating.

Electricity

It costs an average of 0.25 to 0.35 euros per 1 kWh. The typical monthly amount for an apartment of about 80 m2 is 50–90 euros with moderate consumption. The consumer can choose an energy supplier on the free market or stay on a regulated tariff (Servizio di Maggior Tutela), which is gradually being reduced.

Gas

It is widely used for heating, water heating and cooking. The average price is 1.10–1.40 euros per cubic meter. In winter, gas costs for autonomous heating can reach 100–200 euros per month, in the off-season — about 30–50 euros.

Water

It is paid based on the volume of consumption and the number of residents. The average cost is 1.50–2.00 euros per cubic meter. A family of 3–4 people pays about 200–400 euros per year. In some regions, there are fixed fees and additional taxes for wastewater disposal.

Internet and Phone

They cost an average of 25–35 euros per month. Most providers offer unlimited internet access with basic speeds. The most popular operators are TIM, Fastweb, Vodafone and WindTre.

Spese condominiali

Mandatory contributions in apartment buildings for the maintenance of elevators, lighting, cleaning, security, landscaping and other common areas. Their amount varies from 50 to 300 euros per month, depending on the level of infrastructure of the building. In residential complexes with a high level of service (for example, a swimming pool, gym, concierge), the amount can reach up to 500–600 euros per month.

Property Insurance

In Italy, real estate insurance is not mandatory by law, but it is highly recommended, especially if the property is purchased with a mortgage loan or rented out. The insurance policy protects the owner from various risks: fire, flood, burglary, natural disasters, damage to engineering systems and liability to third parties (for example, neighbors in the event of a leak or fire).

The cost of insurance depends on the area of the property, the location, the year of construction, the package of the policy and the risks involved. The average insurance premium is:

• 150–300 euros per year for small apartments;
• 400–700 euros per year for medium-sized houses and villas;
• up to 1,000 euros or more for luxury properties with extended coverage.

Italian insurance companies offer flexible policies that can be customized to a specific facility. Popular insurers include UnipolSai, Generali, AXA Assicurazioni, Allianz, Reale Mutua, and others.