How to buy a villa in Italy: US guide

Buying an Italian villa is an enticing prospect for investors around the world. You can purchase a beautiful second home for your family or retire to Italy for an exciting new way of life.

But can you buy a villa in Italy as an American? How much does it cost to move from the US to Italy? Let’s take a look at everything you need to know, including restrictions, fees, and exactly how to buy property in Italy.

We'll also introduce Wise — your international money transfer alternative. Use Wise to send stress-free transfers to over 140 countries - all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.

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Table of contents
What is considered a villa in Italy? Can I buy a villa in Italy as an American? How much does it cost to buy a villa in Italy? Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise How to buy a villa in Italy: step-by-step Is buying property in Italy a good investment?

What is considered a villa in Italy?

An Italian villa is a large property, often very popular with vacationers. Although villas can be any shape or size, they’re typically found in the countryside.

Villas were first built to help wealthy Italian citizens escape from busy local neighborhoods. Living in a villa gives you the chance to get away to Italy’s stunning coastal or countryside spots, all while enjoying a luxurious — even opulent — lifestyle.

They offer a certain level of seclusion for foreign buyers, with features like swimming pools, terraced gardens, and vineyards.¹

Can I buy a villa in Italy as an American?

Yes, you can buy a villa in Italy as an American. The country welcomes non-EU buyers, so you should find the process relatively easy to navigate. Your ownership rights will also be fully recognized under Italian law.

To purchase a villa in Italy, you’ll first need to apply for a Codice Fiscale. This is an Italian tax identification number, which you can get via the Italian consulate in the US.

You’ll also need to pay a few fees and taxes for your new home, such as property registration tax and a 10% to 20% deposit.²

Italian residency and citizenship

You don’t need to be an Italian resident to buy property, but you’ll need to obtain a visa or residency permit if you want to live in your new home long-term.

If you can financially support yourself without working, you can apply for an Elective Residence Visa. This is particularly popular with retirees.

You can also apply for an Investor Visa if you’re willing to invest a large chunk of money in Italian government bonds or a local business.

Once you have a visa, you can obtain a residency permit, known as a Permesso di Soggiorno. You may also be able to apply for Italian citizenship further down the road.²

Italy’s Golden Visa program

You can also apply for an Italian Golden Visa. This type of visa is common for wealthy expats who want to retire in Italy.

To qualify for the Italian Golden Visa, you’ll need to invest a certain amount of money in government bonds, an Italian business, or local philanthropic endeavours.

By following the Golden Visa program, you can get residency in Italy for 2 years, with the option to extend your permit for 3 years. You may also be eligible for citizenship after 10 years.³

This is an easier way to get residency or citizenship, but you’ll need significant funds to qualify.

How much does it cost to buy a villa in Italy?

Italy has an appealing and affordable real estate market, with a range of beautiful residential properties available for foreign investors.⁴

The price of your Italian villa may depend on a number of factors, including its location, size, and available amenities. The cost of living in Italy can also depend on your lifestyle, healthcare expenses, and commute costs.

Let’s take a look at the price of a villa in a few popular Italian locations. These are rough estimates — prices may vary depending on the size and type of property you want to buy.

Location	Price in EUR
Tuscany⁵	2,364 EUR/m
Florence⁶	2500 EUR to 4000 EUR/m
Milan⁷	10,950 EUR/m
Rome⁸	3 to 12 million EUR
Verona⁹	2,692 EUR/m

Wondering how much that would cost in USD? Check out this handy conversion calculator

Buying a villa in Italy: taxes and fees

As with any property purchase, you’ll need to cover some additional taxes and fees for your Italian villa.

These taxes may depend on whether you want to buy a first or second home. If you’re a resident looking to purchase your first home, your registration tax may only be 3%, for example.

However, if you’re a non-resident or you’re purchasing a second home, you’ll pay 7% of the declared value of your property of choice. This only applies to old properties. If you want to buy a new villa, you’ll pay Value Added Tax (VAT) instead.

You may also need to cover Capital Gains Tax for your property. Consult an Italian tax specialist for more information.¹⁰

Let’s take a closer look at some of the fees you can expect to pay to buy property abroad as an American.

Type of fee	Price
Real estate agent commission	Roughly 2% to 3% of your villa’s real value¹⁰
Notary fees	1% to 1.5% — depends on the value of the property and which notary you use¹⁰
Registration tax	3% to 7% — depends on your property type¹⁰
Deposit	Usually 10% to 20% of the purchase price²
Imposta Municipale Unica (IMU)	This is a specific kind of property tax that applies to second homes and luxury properties — cost can vary²
Exchange rate charges	Most banks charge a fee for currency conversion when you exchange your US dollars for euros For large transfers like a deposit or down payment, these costs can really add up! Wise always uses the mid-market exchange rate — this is the standard ‘fair’ rate, with no markups or hidden fees Save on international payments

Buying property abroad? Send money the hassle-free way with Wise

Now that we covered some of the basics, the only question left is: how to send money to pay for your property overseas?

Wise offers you a quick, secure and transparent way of sending money to Italy. You get the mid-market exchange rate for your payments and see how much it’s charged for the transfer before sending the money from your bank.

With the Wise Account you can also hold 40+ currencies, spend money in 150+ countries, and receive like a local in 8+ different currencies.

Get started with Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

How to buy a villa in Italy: step-by-step

Moving to Italy is a popular choice for families and retirees looking for sun, great food, and a high quality of life.

Villas bring a certain degree of luxury, with hundreds of attractive properties across the country, from Rome to the Amalfi Coast.

Let’s take a look at exactly how to buy a villa in Italy — your step-by-step guide.

Find your dream Italian villa

You can find villas for sale in Italy online or via your real estate agent. Use sources like Immobiliare Italiano® and Kyero® to browse properties.

Here are some other tips to find your villa:

• Drive around your chosen location
• Speak to local communities about potential properties for sale
• Check out online forums for recent listings

Consult a real estate agency with experience in the Italian property market. This may mean working with a local agency or an international agent.

Get a Codice Fiscale

You’ll need to get a Codice Fiscale to start the property purchase process. This is an Italian tax identification number. You can get your code from the Italian consulate or online.²

You may also want to open an Italian bank account. This ensures you have the necessary funds to cover your property price, taxes, and fees. You can also avoid hefty exchange rate charges for spending in euros using your US bank account.

Do your due diligence

Once you’ve chosen your dream property, it’s time to do your due diligence. This means checking for any structural or environmental issues with your property, for example.

You’ll need to complete these checks before you pay your deposit or make an official offer on your villa.

Reach out to the appropriate professionals for support, including a lawyer, real estate agent, and architect.

Make an offer and pay your deposit

Once you’ve completed all your checks, it’s time to make an offer. Your real estate agent can advise you about how to bid the best price for your villa.

You’ll also need to pay your deposit. This is typically 10% to 20% of your property purchase price.²

Work with a notary to complete your purchase

To complete your purchase, you’ll need to sign the final contract — known as the *Rogito *— in the presence of a notary.

The notary can check that everything looks right. You may also need to pay any fees and taxes for your villa at this stage of the process.

Your notary will register the property with the local land registry to ensure you have full ownership rights.² This is the final step — the villa is now yours!

Is buying property in Italy a good investment?

Buying property in Italy is typically a good investment. Non-residents only pay tax on income generated within Italy — and you may qualify under a double taxation treaty. This provides favorable conditions for foreign property investors.²

If you don’t want to live in Italy full-time, you can rent out your villa year-round. Gorgeous villas in lucrative areas like Rome and Florence are very popular with tourists looking for short-term accommodation abroad.

Here are some tips for Americans investing in Italian property:

• Understand your budget — make sure to factor in fees and costs
• Choose your location carefully
• Plan your financials — you may need to pay some property taxes
• Speak to local experts for the best advice and support

You can get a mortgage in Italy as an American, but you’ll need to look into your lender’s rules and restrictions for foreign buyers.²

If you decide to get a mortgage in Italy, you’ll need to pay for an atto di mutuo. This is an Italian mortgage contract — and it must be officially registered by a notary.¹⁰

Consult a mortgage advisor or financial planner for more information about your loan options.

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Italian villas are an attractive investment for American buyers. You can purchase a villa for your holiday home or make money on short-term rental income throughout the year.

However, you’ll pay registration taxes and notary fees to complete your purchase. You may also pay an exchange rate markup to convert your funds from USD to EUR. Make sure to look into these costs before going ahead with your purchase.

To send and receive money in the US and Italy — all at the standard mid-market exchange rate — check out Wise.

Sources

1. The Lux Authority - What is a villa?
2. Lexidy - How to buy property in Italy
3. Get Golden Visa - Italy Golden Visa
4. IAD Overseas - Is buying a property in Italy in 2025 a smart investment?
5. Idealista - Buy property in Tuscany
6. Victoria House - Property for sale in Florence
7. Idealista - How much does a luxury home in Milan cost and where to get the best deals
8. World of Gadait - How much does a luxury villa cost in major European cities?
9. Immobiliaire - Housing prices in the municipality of Verona
10. A Place in the Sun - Property purchase costs in Italy
11. A Place in the Sun - Property purchase costs in Italy

Sources checked 04/16/2025