Real estate investment in Italy
Foreigners can buy, sell and rent out real estate without restrictions in Italy.
Statistics confirm the liquidity of investments: the price of residential real estate grows every quarter by an average of 1%. Five years ago, an apartment of 100 m² cost an average of €290,000, and today it is sold for €309,000.
3090 €
Average price per 1 m²
of housing in Italy
of housing in Italy
1%
Average price per 1 m²
increase per quarter
increase per quarter
9—33%
Buyers’ related expenses,
of the transaction amount
of the transaction amount
How the residential property price index is growing in Italy
Cost of a 3-bedroom apartment in Italy
€2.5 million
Apartment in the historic centre of Milan
€1.5 million
Apartment in a 10-minute drive
from the Milan Cathedral
€400,000
Apartment in Genoa, Turin
What do investors buy?
The most expensive real estate is in the Italian Alps on the border with Austria, Milan, Rome, and the northwest coast.
Apartments
- penthouses and attic apartments
- duplexes
- apartments
Houses
- townhouses and mansions
- villas
- historical villas
Italy residence permit or citizenship by real estate investment
Obtaining an Italy residence permit and citizenship is not connected with purchasing real estate. Italy has a program for getting a residence permit by investing in the country’s economy. The investment amount ranges between €500,000 and €2,000,000. There is no option for investing in real estate.
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Taxes and associated costs
Taxes
Property owners pay an annual tax of 0.4% to 0.76% of the cadastral value.
Rental income is included in the income tax base. The income tax rate is progressive from 23% to 43%.
€1,920 Approximate annual costs for maintenance of an apartment
Communal payments
Electricity, gas, water, heating, and garbage collection |
€100—280per month |
Internet, TV and telephone |
€25—40per month |
If the seller has owned a property for less than five years, they pay a capital gains tax. The income tax base includes the difference between the sale and purchase prices. The income tax rate is progressive from 23% to 43%.
The agency fee ranges from 2% to 5%.
0—43% Capital gains tax on the sale
of real estate in Italy
of real estate in Italy
Expenses on the sale
Capital gains taxPaid on the difference between the purchase and sale prices |
0—43% |
Agency fee |
2—5%VAT included |
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner buy a house in Italy?
Yes. All foreigners are allowed to buy real estate in Italy. There are also no restrictions on the sale and rental of real estate, either.
Is Italy a good place to buy real estate?
Yes. Real estate properties in Italy are liquid assets. the price of residential real estate is growing every quarter by an average of 1%. Five years ago, an apartment of 100 m² was worth an average of €290,000, and today it can be sold for €309,000.
Foreigners in Italy can also freely buy, sell, and rent out real estate.
How much is real estate tax in Italy?
Buyers of real estate in Italy pay value-added tax for new buildings or registration tax for secondary real estate and additional fees. The associated costs will be from 9% to 33% of the contract’s value.
Property owners pay an annual ownership tax — from 0,4% to 0,76% of the cadastral value.
Sellers of real estate pay capital gains tax on a progressive scale from 0 to 43%.
Do you get citizenship if you buy a house in Italy?
No. Italian citizenship cannot be obtained by investment. But foreigners can partake in the Italy residence permit program first. After 10 years of permanent residence in the country, they can get Italian citizenship by naturalization on a general basis.
To get a residence permit in Italy, investors can choose one of four options:
- from €250,000 — investments in innovative startups;
- from €500,000 — investments in the authorized capital of Italian companies;
- from €1,000,000 — investments in socially significant projects;
- from €2,000,000 — purchase of government bonds.
