Italy
Legal & Ownership — Italy
Title checks, cadastral conformity, agricultural pre-emption, and heritage restrictions in Italy.
Updated February 2026
Italy
Italy applies a principle of reciprocity (reciprocità) for non-EU buyers. In practice, this means non-EU citizens from countries that allow Italian citizens to purchase property can buy in Italy — which includes virtually all major Western countries.
Key practical points
- EU citizens: no restrictions whatsoever
- UK nationals post-Brexit: reciprocity confirmed — no restrictions apply
- US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand: all covered by reciprocity
- You can purchase in your personal name, jointly, via an Italian SRL, or via a foreign holding company
- A Codice Fiscale (Italian tax identification number) is mandatory for all buyers and must be obtained before signing any contract — obtainable at any Italian consulate or the Agenzia delle Entrate
Financing
Italian banks lend to non-residents, but LTV limits are lower (typically 50–60% for non-EU buyers, 60–70% for EU non-residents vs 80% for Italian residents).
Based on Agenzia delle Entrate, Ministero della Giustizia
Last reviewed: Feb 2026