Buy an apartment in Italy in 2026: prices, taxes, residency
The average home costs about $190,000, about $140,000 in the South, and there is no residency for buying. Prices by city, purchase taxes, payment for Russian citizens and pitfalls.
A Russian citizen can buy an apartment in Italy, and no residence permit or special approval is needed. The average home sold in the country in 2025 cost about $190,000, about $500,000 in Milan and about $95,000 in the towns of the Palermo province. Purchase tax on a private sale is based not on the price but on the cadastral value, which is usually lower than the market price.
The main disappointment is worth knowing straight away: Italy does not grant residence for buying property. The full deal walkthrough is on the property in Italy page; here is the short answer.
How much an apartment in Italy costs in 2026
In 2025 Italy sold 766,757 apartments and houses, 6.4% more than a year earlier. The average home sold was 107 m². Average deal values from the Italian Revenue Agency:
| Where | Average home sold |
|---|---|
| Milan | ~$500,000 |
| Florence | ~$320,000 |
| Rome | ~$310,000 |
| Bologna | ~$310,000 |
| Naples | ~$230,000 |
| Turin | ~$210,000 |
| Palermo | ~$150,000 |
| The South | ~$140,000 |
| Italy average | ~$190,000 |
Cheap and by the sea means the South and the islands. The average deal there is almost 30% below the national average, and in the towns of the Palermo province an apartment sells for $95,000 on average. Milan is a separate universe: its average deal is five times higher.
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Italy
Yes. Non-EU citizens buy on the basis of reciprocity: the deal is allowed if their country lets Italians own homes. Russia does. The deal requires an Italian tax code, issued free of charge by a consulate or the tax office.
Money is the harder part. EU sanctions rules restrict banks from accepting large deposits from Russian citizens without an EU residence permit. So the payment route has to be planned before the deposit to the seller, not on the day of the deal. Personal accounts are covered on the bank account in Italy page.
How the purchase works
- Tax code. No contract can be signed without it.
- Checking the apartment. Title, debts, consistency with the cadastre and building permits.
- Preliminary contract. The deposit and the timeline are fixed in writing.
- Deed at a notary. The notary checks the property, withholds the taxes and registers the transfer.
- Utilities. Transferring the accounts, and registering with the municipality if the buyer moves in.
Purchase costs: taxes on buying
On a private sale, a buyer of a second home pays 9% of the cadastral value, but no less than $1,200. On top come two fixed taxes of $60 each. If the buyer moves and registers residence in the same municipality within 18 months, the rate drops to 2%. When buying from a developer, VAT applies instead: 10%, or 4% for a first home.
In total, from $1,300 in taxes on a private sale. The exact amount depends on the cadastral value of the specific apartment. This excludes the price itself, the notary, the agent's fee, document translations and Murblz support. A manager will calculate the support fee in chat.
Tax from $1,300, but a cadastre mismatch costs more
The law does not stop you from buying an apartment in Italy on your own. But mistakes cost more than the taxes: a layout that does not match the cadastre and a notary who refuses to complete the deal; a lost first-home relief with extra tax and a fine; a deposit paid before the payment route accounts for banks' sanctions restrictions. Murblz support removes these risks: Murblz specialists obtain the tax code, check the apartment against the cadastre and permits, set up the payment route and run the deal with the notary. We guarantee professional work and a transparent process, and in most cases a result on the first filing.
The support fee depends on the region, the apartment price and whether you need a visa to move; a manager will calculate it in chat.
Owner taxes and residence
The owner of a second home pays municipal property tax every year: the base rate is 0.86% of the cadastral base, and the municipality may raise it to 1.06%. Other rates are on the taxes in Italy page.
An apartment meets the housing requirement for the visa for living without work, but the income still has to be proven: about $35,000 a year. The investor visa is not issued for property. All routes are in our guide on how to get Italian residency, and for those moving in retirement, retiring in Italy.
Pitfalls
- The cadastre does not match the layout. The notary may refuse to complete the deal until the mismatch is fixed.
- A lost first-home relief. Not moving within 18 months means paying the difference plus a fine.
- Counting on residence for the purchase. There is no such route.
- Payment. A large transfer from a Russian citizen without an EU residence permit runs into banks' sanctions restrictions.
Which apartment in Italy fits the plan? Tell us whether it is for living, moving on a visa or renting out, which region and what budget. We will find the property, check the cadastre and plan the payment before the deposit.
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy an apartment in Italy?
How much does an apartment in Italy cost in 2026?
Where can you buy a cheap apartment in Italy by the sea?
What taxes are paid when buying an apartment in Italy?
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Don’t want to figure this out alone?
We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.
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