There’s always loads of legal stuff involved in buying any property, but as a foreigner in Italy you’ll have extra paperwork to do. To buy a house, get a mortgage or even live there for anywhere over 90 days, you’ll need the following documents:
Passport: You can’t buy any property without one, or even visit a property because most estate agents won’t accept customers without ID. You’ll also need to show it to the notary when you sign the contract and other documents, and for any service necessary to be an Italian resident. It’s easier for E.U. citizens than for people from other countries, but don’t worry – Brexit shouldn’t cause too many changes in this department; the authorities will just inspect your passport more carefully.
Codice Fiscale: This is basically your equivalent of a National Insurance number, and you’ll need it to make any transaction and pay taxes. You can get one from any Italian Embassy by presenting your passport and residency permit of up to 90 days, also available from the Embassy. If you’re buying a permanent residence, you don’t have to worry about applying for a Codice Fiscale because the estate agent will get you one that doesn’t also need a residency permit. However, if you’re buying a holiday home you will need the permit.
Residency: To live in Italy, you must be a resident. If you wish to stay in the country for more than 183 days of the year, you should become a resident as soon as possible. This 183-day rule applies to all countries and you can be a resident of any country, even if you’re a citizen elsewhere. Being an Italian resident gives you all the same rights as an Italian citizen. For E.U. citizens, it’s a fairly simple application process, but the time it takes may vary depending on the local authorities.
Move your money to Italy
Bank account: International transfers are not accepted for the purchase of a property in Italy, so the law requires that you have an Italian bank account. To open one, you just have to show your ID and proof of address, which could even be a letter from your estate agent. You will also need, of course, the codice fiscale. It’s worth noting that Lloyds TSB has an Italian presence and the best offers among the UK branches.
