Italy, popular as a vacation destination but also for purchasing a second home. More and more Dutch people are finding their way to Italy to buy a vacation home. The pleasant culture, stunning nature, and delicious food make it an ideal destination. So, have you always dreamed of owning a home surrounded by sunshine, breathtaking architecture, history, culture, and exquisite cuisine? Then Italy might be the perfect country for you to buy a house.

Start your Italian adventure

Browse through our guide and let yourself be inspired by the opportunities that Italy has to offer. Whether you’re dreaming of a peaceful retreat in the countryside, a luxurious villa by the water, or a cozy city apartment, we are here to help you make your dream a reality.

Whether you’re looking for a vacation home in the picturesque hills of Tuscany, a villa by the beautiful lakes in the north, or a charming apartment in a historic town, Italy offers a wide range of possibilities.

Anticipo

Next, an Anticipo (deposit, usually 2% to 5% of the property’s value) is typically requested upon signing the final offer. The Anticipo is often provided by the buyer in the form of a personal cheque. This Anticipo serves to confirm the offer and prevent the seller from accepting a higher bid. If you withdraw your offer after signing, you will lose your Anticipo.

The proposta (offer) may also include any conditional clauses. There are no strict rules for this, so the possibilities are theoretically endless. In Italy, it is generally uncommon to include a financing clause in the contracts. If you are dealing with an Italian seller, they will very rarely accept such a clause. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly common for parties to bypass a written offer and directly draft a (preliminary) purchase agreement. This can be a good choice, especially when both parties are eager to expedite the transfer.

Additionally, a purchase contract offers more legal certainty for both parties. If a proposta is accompanied by a deposit to the seller and is registered with the Italian tax office, a valid purchase agreement is considered to be in place.

Renting out a vacation home in Italy

If it is clear that the tenant is a tourist, renting for a short term, and has a permanent residence elsewhere, you will fall under the tourist rental regulations. In such a situation, the rental agreement is not subject to Italian tenancy laws. Most foreign property owners in Italy will opt for short-term/tourist rentals, as this generally yields the most income and allows the owner to also use their own property in Italy.

Italian tenancy law

Until recently, long-term rental agreements in Italy were subject to legal regulations (Italian tenancy law). Rent prices and increases could not be freely determined. Once a landlord entered into a rental agreement with a tenant, they automatically fell under the equo canone system. This rent protection resulted in a shortage of rental housing, as it was unattractive for many private owners/landlords to rent out properties. Tenants were protected in many ways, while landlords had very few rights.

Renting out a vacation home in Italy

Recently, this has changed, and private owners and landlords are now able to set rental prices according to market conditions. The free rental prices have encouraged many owners to rent out more homes/apartments. However, tenants remain protected from eviction from their rental property or apartment.