10 STEPS TO BUYING A HOUSE IN ITALY

diego mascellino
May 7
2 min read

1. Why Choose Italy? The Advantages for German Real Estate Buyers

Italy offers a high quality of life, a pleasant climate, and attractive property prices – especially in the south as well as in Sicily and Sardinia.Main reasons for German buyers:

Geographical proximity and good accessibility
Legal security in real estate transactions
Use as a holiday or permanent residence
Long-term appreciation potential

2. The First Step: The Tax Number (Codice Fiscale)

Before purchasing real estate in Italy, you need the Codice Fiscale, comparable to the German tax ID. It is required for:

Notarial contracts
Italian bank account
Registration for electricity, gas, water

Application can be made directly at the Agenzia delle Entrate or through an authorized representative.

3. Finding the Right Property

Whether a Tuscan country house or a villa by the sea – a local real estate agent is essential for a safe purchase. Benefits of an experienced agent:

Understands your wishes
Knows the local market
Checks all documents
Guides you through the entire purchasing process

4. Purchase Offer and Preliminary Agreement (Compromesso)

After selecting the property, a binding purchase offer is made, which, upon acceptance, leads to the preliminary contract:

Sets price, deadlines, and conditions
Includes deposit (caparra confirmatoria)
Can be registered for legal protection

5. Financing and Mortgage in Italy

German buyers can take out a mortgage with Italian banks or use German loans.Key requirements:

Verifiable income
Codice Fiscale
Property valuation

Italian banks finance up to 60–70% of the purchase price for foreigners.

6. The Notarial Purchase Agreement (Rogito)

The final step is the Rogito, the official purchase contract signed before an Italian notary.The notary:

Verifies the legal status of the property
Registers the change of ownership
Checks payment of all taxes

After signing, you are the legal owner.

7. Legal Support and Translations

Despite the notary, additional legal advice is useful:

International real estate lawyers
Certified translations of important documents
Review of contract clauses

If you lack Italian language skills, a sworn interpreter may be necessary.

8. Tax Benefits for Property Buyers

When purchasing a primary residence in Italy, buyers benefit from tax advantages:

Reduced property transfer tax
Reduced VAT when buying from a developer
Local tax exemptions upon taking up residence

Benefits depend on the intended use and buyer type.

9. Property Purchase by Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU citizens may only buy property in Italy if:

A bilateral agreement exists
A valid long-term residence permit is held

German citizens face no restrictions.

10. Our Service for International Buyers

Buying property abroad is complex. Our German-speaking team offers:

Customized property search
Mediation with agents and sellers
Legal, notarial, and tax support
Official translations and document services