Buying Property as a Non-EU Citizen

✅ Australians can buy property in Italy.

Because Italy has a reciprocal treaty with Australia, you don’t need residency or a special permit to buy property in Italy. On paper, you’re good to go.

But here’s the catch.

Australia limits what Italians can buy—mostly new builds or land, and only with prior approval. Italy takes those restrictions into account when applying reciprocity. So even with a treaty in place, what happens in practice comes down to the Italian notary handling your purchase.

In Italy, the notaio (notary) is the legal authority who confirms the validity of the transaction. Some notaios are more cautious than others—especially in regions with stricter oversight or less experience with international buyers.

Best way to move forward:

• Work with a notary experienced in international transactions

• Consult with the notary before making an offer

• Make any formal offer contingent on the notary’s approval of your eligibility to purchase

⚠️ Canadians face significant restrictions when buying property in Italy.

Canada's 2023 ban on foreign residential property purchases has triggered reciprocal limitations in Italy.

What Canadians can buy:

• Properties in municipalities with fewer than 10,000 residents (outside major metropolitan areas)

• Commercial properties (typically less restricted than residential)

• Properties received through inheritance, separation, divorce, or donation

Important caveat: The final decision rests with the Italian notary (notaio) handling your transaction. Different notaries may interpret reciprocity requirements differently. Despite the restrictions, there are many examples of Canadians successfully buying property in Italy.

Best approach: Consult with a notary experienced in international purchases before making an offer.

✅ Chinese citizens can buy property in Italy.

A Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) signed in 1985 between Italy and China establishes property rights regardless of the restrictions China places on foreigners. This agreement supersedes the general reciprocity requirement.

What Chinese citizens can buy:

• Residential properties

• Commercial properties

• Property investments

Special considerations:

• Hong Kong and Macau citizens benefit from separate investment protection agreements with Italy

• Some regional notaries may require additional documentation

Note: While property ownership is unrestricted, residency for more than 90 days requires appropriate visas or permits.

✅ Swiss citizens can buy property in Italy with specific limitations.

A reciprocity agreement between Italy and Switzerland allows Swiss citizens to purchase Italian property under these conditions:

What Swiss citizens can buy:

• Holiday and vacation homes up to 200 square meters of living space

• Land attached to these properties up to 1,000 square meters

• Commercial-use properties without size restrictions

• Properties received through inheritance or from family members

What Swiss companies can buy:

• Properties used as company headquarters

• Properties for business operations related to company activities

Key restrictions:

• Properties cannot be purchased purely as capital investments (except commercial properties)

• Agricultural land requires special authorization

• The declared use of the property cannot be changed after purchase

Best approach: Verify all measurements and intended use with your notary before proceeding with any purchase.

✅ UK citizens can freely buy property in Italy.

Based on the principle of reciprocity, Italians face no citizenship restrictions when buying property in the UK, so UK citizens enjoy the same rights in Italy.

What UK citizens can buy:

• Residential properties without size or location restrictions

• Commercial properties and businesses

• Agricultural land

• Property shares and investments

Additional benefits:

• No restrictions on forming Italian companies or holding corporate positions

• Full inheritance rights for property in Italy

Note: While property ownership is unrestricted, residency for more than 90 days requires appropriate visas or permits.

✅ US citizens can freely buy property in Italy.

Based on the principle of reciprocity, Italians face no significant restrictions when buying property in the US, so US citizens enjoy the same rights in Italy.

What US citizens can buy:

• Residential properties without limitations

• Commercial properties and businesses

• Agricultural land

• Property shares and investments

Business activities: US citizens can form Italian companies, hold corporate positions, and acquire shares in Italian businesses without citizenship-based restrictions.

Note: While property ownership is unrestricted, residency for more than 90 days requires appropriate visas or permits.