{"id":10115,"date":"2026-11-14T14:54:27","date_gmt":"2026-11-14T13:54:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shimmigrations.com\/buying-a-house-in-italy-as-a-foreigner\/"},"modified":"2026-11-14T15:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-11-14T14:04:58","slug":"buying-a-house-in-italy-as-a-foreigner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shimmigrations.com\/en\/buying-a-house-in-italy-as-a-foreigner\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a house in Italy as a foreigner: reciprocity, tax code and visas"},"content":{"rendered":"

In short.<\/strong> Foreigners can buy a house in Italy. EU citizens and non-EU nationals who live in Italy with a valid residence permit face no special limits; people who live outside the EU, for example in the United States, can buy if the “reciprocity condition” exists between Italy and their country, which the notary checks case by case. You need an Italian tax code (codice fiscale). Buying a home does not give you a visa or a residence permit: to live in Italy you need a visa, for example an elective residence visa.<\/p>\n

This guide explains who must check reciprocity, how to get a tax code from abroad, what changes if you want to move to Italy and the mistakes to avoid before you sign a preliminary contract.<\/p>\n

Updated on 14 November 2026.<\/strong> These are general rules based on official sources, not personal advice: the final check is up to the notary, and taxes and costs depend on each purchase.<\/p>\n

Can a foreigner buy a house in Italy?<\/h2>\n

Yes. The basic rule is Article 16 of the Italian “provisions on the law in general”: foreigners are admitted to enjoy the civil rights of Italian citizens on condition of reciprocity. In practice, if you do not live in Italy, you can buy if your country lets Italians do the same. Many foreigners, however, are exempt from this check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Who is buying<\/th>\nIs reciprocity needed?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Non-EU nationals living in Italy with a residence card or permit for work, business, family, study or humanitarian reasons<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Refugees and stateless persons living in Italy for at least 3 years<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Citizens of countries with an investment treaty with Italy<\/td>\nUsually no<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Other non-EU nationals living abroad<\/td>\nYes, checked by the notary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

For people who live legally in Italy, Article 2 of the Italian Immigration Act also applies: foreigners who are legally resident enjoy the civil rights granted to Italian citizens.<\/p>\n

Who checks reciprocity, and how?<\/h2>\n

The notary who draws up the deed. The Italian National Council of Notaries explains that the check is made case by case, with the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if needed. If you live in Italy, you must show the notary a valid residence permit or a long-term residence permit before the deed is signed.<\/p>\n

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself warns that its information on individual countries has no legal value and is only a general indication. So ask the notary to check reciprocity at the start of the negotiation, before you sign a preliminary contract (compromesso) or pay a deposit.<\/p>\n

If you are a US citizen living in the United States, reciprocity is the first point to check with the notary. If you already live in Italy with a residence permit, the check is not needed.<\/p>\n

Do you need an Italian tax code to buy a house?<\/h2>\n

Yes, the codice fiscale is needed for the purchase deed. It is issued by the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). If you buy from abroad, there are two routes:<\/p>\n