Property
Italy — Property: Can Foreigners Buy?
Who may own property in Italy: free for EU/EFTA citizens, reciprocity for others. From the ELRA contribution by the Agenzia delle Entrate (undated).
VerifiedProfessional tax guide — not a government sourceEuropean Land Registry Association (ELRA) - Italy contact point contribution, limitations to foreignersLast reviewed: 2026-10-26
Key facts
- EU and EFTA citizens, and stateless persons resident in Italy for more than three years, face no limits or conditions.
- Foreigners not legally resident can buy only if an international treaty allows it or reciprocity applies (Art. 16 of the Provisions on the General Law; Art. 20 of Law 218/1995); reciprocity can be checked on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
- Regularly resident foreigners, family members and stateless persons resident for under three years need a residence permit or card.
- Parties to the deed need an Italian tax code from the Revenue Agency because the deed must be registered.
- The land registrar only does a formal check; a notary or similar public official checks whether a non-EU buyer meets the requirements.