Planning to buy a luxury property in Italy? Find out everything you need to know, from legislation to tips for a safe and risk-free buying and selling experience.
Buying a luxury home is a unique experience that goes beyond the real estate transaction. It is about becoming part of an exclusive world, immersed in history, art, and unparalleled Italian beauty. Dreamer Real Estate stands by prestige buyers to ensure a smooth purchase process, from the first meeting to the notarial deed.
Discover Dreamer’s exclusive services, specializing in luxury real estate.
Dreamer’s professional team has the skills to support and guide the seller, or the buyer during each step. An addressed topic in our Dreamer Talks, in which thanks to the contribution of Paolo Cosi – Partner & Head of Dreamer’s Legal Department, we delved into the steps to buy a luxury home in Italy.
The purchasing process involves some useful and necessary procedures that need to be completed according to precise guidelines. Let’s take a look at them, going over the key point process and analyzing what happens when the property is historically and artistically listed.
How to Buy a Luxury Home in Italy? Dreamer’s Guide
Buying a luxury property in Italy requires attention to detail and a deep knowledge of legal regulations. That’s why it’s important to trust a real estate agency as the partner for your sale or purchase.
Read Dreamer Magazine‘s guide on how to choose the best luxury real estate agency.
Dreamer Real Estate, specializing in exclusive real estate brokerage, guides its clients through every stage, ensuring a transparent and safe process.
Step 1: The Irrevocable Purchase Proposal
This first step is regulated by Article 1329 of the Italian Civil Code and consists of a formal offer made by the buyer to the seller to finalize the contract.
- Deposit: usually 10% of the property value.
- Advantages: reserves the property while legal verifications are completed.
- What happens next: if accepted, the proposal becomes a preliminary contract.
The irrevocable purchase proposal is the unilateral act by which the buyer, through Dreamer Real Estate, proposes to buy a property. It is transmitted to the seller according to the terms provided and Dreamer guarantees its credibility and concreteness.
The signing of the irrevocable purchase proposal is intended for Dreamer’s purpose of analyzing and identifying the property’s saleability. When the seller accepts it, the document becomes a preliminary sale agreement.
Step 2: The Preliminary Sale Agreement
This step legally ties the buyer and seller.
- Booking effect: transcription in the Italian Public Real Estate Registries to ensure security.
- Mortgage option: useful period for finalizing financing.
- Protection for both sides: neither can withdraw without penalty.
The preliminary agreement is the intermediate step in buying a property in Italy. It is a fundamental act to guarantee the exact sales process.
Dreamer Real Estate uses the time that elapses between preliminary and final to carry out actions functional to the sale, such as the mortgage practice, and allow the parties to bind themselves.
Step 3: The Notarial Deed
The last step that sanctions the transfer of ownership.
- Notarial act: signed before a notary public to be legally valid.
- Official transfer: the buyer becomes the effective owner.
- Registration of purchase and sale: the property is updated in official records.
The last step in the process of buying a property in Italy is called the final deed or notarial deed. This contract represents the only fundamental act of sale that must be executed by a notary public and allows the promissory to become the actual owner.
The sales process is thus concluded and ownership of the property is officially transferred to the new buyer.
Where to Find Luxury Houses in Italy?
Italy is a prime location for buying luxury properties, with locations that offer a unique quality of life: browse Dreamer’s portfolio.
Tuscany is one of the most sought-after regions, with cities such as Forte dei Marmi and Pietrasanta renowned for their elegant seaside villas. Lucca, with its timeless charm, is attracting increasing attention, as are Florence and Chianti, with villas nestled in the countryside.
Learn more about where and why to invest in Italy in 2025.
The Most Exclusive Luxury Properties Types in Italy
The investment opportunities in luxury real estate in Italy are endless. Castles and heritage villas are always a fascinating choice for those who seek to own a prestigious property, as are modern villas and exclusive apartments that offer ideal solutions. Luxury properties in Italy are designed to satisfy the most discerning buyers, with large areas, modern amenities, and unparalleled building quality.
Read our guide to the cadastral classification of luxury properties.
Historic Castles and Palaces
Castles and palaces are among the most prestigious properties in Italy:
- perfect for those seeking a piece of history with unique architectural legacies;
- ideal for representative residences or hospitality investments.
These mansions, often dating back centuries, boast fine architectural features and a dominant position in the region, making them ideal for those seeking an imposing property. Many of these estates have specific laws protecting their historical and cultural value. Due to their great beauty, they are sought after by international collectors and investors.
Luxury Villas
Luxury villas are the most popular homes for those seeking a combination of elegance, space, and modern comfort. Italian villas include:
- Tuscan villas with large land, olive groves, and vineyards.
- Coastal villas with stunning sea views, such as those in Versilia or Argentario.
- Renaissance villas and heritage mansions with original frescoes and period architectural details.
- Art Nouveau villas with fine decorative details, artistic stained glass windows, and ornate facades.
- Modern villas with infinity pools and unique design.
These properties offer privacy and quiet, with private pools, manicured gardens, and high-quality finishes.
Country Houses
For those seeking a retreat immersed in the heart of nature, country houses are the ideal choice. These charming rural homes, typically found in Tuscany and Umbria, are the perfect blend of tradition and luxury. The rustic mansions, often restored with typical local materials such as stone and wood, offer spaciousness, tranquility, and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. These properties are ideal for those who want an elegant but rustic home away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but still close to historical and cultural centers.
Historic and Artistic Interest Properties
Dreamer Real Estate deals with many historically and artistically valuable properties, such as castles, period villas and heritage buildings. When buying a property protected by Fine Arts, it is necessary to know the Italian regulations.
According to Law 1089/1939, the Italian State has a right of pre-emption, meaning that once the deed is signed, the buyer must wait 60 days, during which the State can exercise its preferential purchase right. If this does not happen, the sale is finalized and the buyer officially becomes the owner.
Buying a listed property may seem complex, but Dreamer takes care of all the bureaucratic and legal aspects, ensuring that every transaction takes place in complete security: 100% of completed negotiations have gone through without the state exercising its right of preemption.
Discover the timeless charm of historic villas and period mansions.
Why Buy a Luxury Property in Italy?
Buying a luxury property in Italy is more than a real estate investment. Here are the reasons why:
- Breathtaking locations: from enchanting Tuscany to green Umbria and coastal areas, Italy is renowned for its natural beauty and scenery.
- Cultural heritage: living in Italy means immersing yourself in the country’s history, art, and culture, with properties often located near world-renowned monuments and attractions.
- Investment potential: luxury properties in Italy are likely to maintain or increase in value over time, thanks to strong international demand.
- Italian lifestyle: Italy is synonymous with high quality of life, with gastronomic excellence, fine wines, and a climate ideal for living in all seasons.
If you are seeking to buy a luxury property in Italy, Dreamer Real Estate is the ideal partner to guide you through every step of the process. Our team of experts is ready to offer you tailored advice and support for your purchase, ensuring that every step is taken with confidence and professionalism: contact us.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Buying a Luxury Property in Italy
To help you better understand the process of buying a luxury property in Italy, we have collected some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our international clients.
1. What are the requirements for buying a luxury property in Italy?
- Have an Italian tax code (easily obtained even for foreigners or expats).
- Possess an Italian bank account to facilitate transactions.
- Check for any tax or urban planning restrictions on the property.
- Rely on experienced professionals for due diligence and legal management.
2. How much is the cost of buying a luxury home in Italy?
The price of a luxury property varies depending on the location, features, and historical/artistic property value.
3. Where are the best locations to buy a luxury villa in Italy?
Italy offers many exclusive destinations for buying a luxury property. Some of the most sought-after include Tuscany and Umbria:
- Historic cities: Florence, Lucca, Arezzo, Pisa, Siena, Perugia.
- Coastal resorts: Versilia, Forte dei Marmi, Argentario, Sardinia.
- Countryside and hills: Chianti, Val d’Orcia, Maremma.
4. How long does it take to complete a luxury property purchase in Italy?
The purchase process varies depending on the complexity of the transaction, and Dreamer Real Estate guarantees a quick and hitch-free process due to its expertise in luxury real estate.
5. Can I rent out my luxury real estate once I have purchased it?
Yes, many investors buy luxury real estate for short rentals: you can rely on property management companies to fully manage the rental.
6. Why choose Dreamer Real Estate to buy a luxury home in Italy?
- A team of experts specialized in buying and selling luxury properties.
- A wide selection of exclusive properties in the best Italian locations.
- Legal, tax, and bureaucratic assistance at every stage of the purchase.
- Personalized consulting to find the perfect property for you.
