Steps to buying

The process of buying a property shouldn't be complicated, but to make it run smoothly, get a reputable lawyer. On average, the process takes three to four months. To give you an idea of what will happen between finding your Italian home and picking up the keys, we've compiled this step-by-step guide:

Before you buy:

1. Find out how much you can borrow - This is dependent on your income and the type of mortgage you want. Bear in mind the maximum "loan to value" amount (how much of the property value your mortgage lender is prepared to lend to you) and that you should not over-stretch yourself to make your mortgage payments.
2. Set your budget - Be realistic as you calculate all the costs involved. You'll have a variety of professional fees, taxes and charges to pay on top of the price of your property. See our Costs to consider page for a breakdown of the costs involved in buying a property in Italy.
3. Search for a property - This is the most exciting part of the buying process. When it comes to finding a property, nothing beats actually going to a location to check it out in person. If nothing else, it's a great excuse for another holiday! The sheer choice of property out there is pretty daunting, so ask yourself some basic questions about what and where to buy so you can narrow down your search. Buyers with a young family looking for a holiday home are bound to have different requirements to retiring couples and investors. Ask yourself practical questions about airport, road connections and local amenities. Use the wealth of magazines, books, exhibitions and websites out there to get inspiration and to focus on what you want from your Italian home. If you use the services of an Italian estate agent, make sure he's registered with his local Chamber of Commerce. We can also recommend properties to help you along the buying process. Find out more.
4. Carry out a price check -It's so easy to find yourself falling in love with the first property you visit, but particularly when you are buying re-sale property, do some research on prices for comparable properties in the area where you want to buy. This will make sure you don't pay over the odds for your dream property. Unfortunately some sellers assume that a buyer, particularly from overseas, may not know the local market and set an unreasonably high sale price - don't get caught out!
5. Obtain your 'Codice Fiscale' - If you're serious about your search, before you go too far you'll need to apply for an Italian tax number. You'll need this tax code number for your mortgage application and in order to complete your purchase, so apply for one early on. You can apply direct to the consulate or get a lawyer to assist you.

With these matters dealt with, you're in a much better position to go ahead with the purchase once you've found your ideal property. The next steps for you are:

6. Appoint a notary ('notaio') - The buying process in Italy is rather different to the UK. You are required by law to employ a notary to oversee the purchase of your home. The notaio is a property lawyer and neutral government official whose job it is to ensure that all property taxes are paid and the property properly registered.
7. Appoint your own solicitor - As the notaio is a neutral official, favouring neither buyer or seller, you should consider appointing a separate qualified lawyer to represent your own interests. Your lawyer will need to have expertise in the Italian and UK legal systems and be able to communicate with you and the authorities in Italy, so try to find one who's bilingual.
8. Make an offer - At this point you can open negotiations with the seller by drawing up a 'proposta d'acquisto irrevocabile' which is an official written offer setting out price and terms, usually binding on the buyer's part for 7-15 days. It is common to make your first offer at 5-10% less than the asking price.
9. Pay a deposit - If the offer is accepted, a deposit of 2-5% is normally paid. At this stage, if you decide not to go ahead because your lawyer or surveyor finds a problem, you should be able to get this money back. If you decide to pull out for any other reason, you'll have to forfeit the money
10. Carry out a survey -This is compulsory if you are intending to take out one of our mortgage products but a sensible precaution if you are buying in cash for your own piece of mind.
11. Arrange your mortgage, or alternative finance - Barclays has a number of mortgages to help you buy abroad. Look at our Mortgages section to find out more.
12. Set up a local bank account - You'll need a bank account in Italy during and after the buying process. Apart from the property itself, you'll need to pay professional fees, taxes and charges on the purchase and utility bills and management fees once the property is yours. Look at our Everyday Banking section to find out more.
13. Begin legal investigations - Now is the time to instruct your estate agent, lawyer or 'geometra' to undertake searches on the property and current owners to establish that the sale of the property is legal and free of debts.
14. Sign the preliminary contract (compromesso) - At this stage the sale is formalised with the "compromesso", a binding contract, signed by both parties, setting out the conditions of sale. Have it translated so you know exactly what you're signing - at this stage, pulling out of the deal could be costly, so it's vital you know exactly where you stand before signing the contract.
15. Pay a deposit - When the preliminary contract is signed, a deposit is payable - usually 10-20% of the agreed purchase price. If you subsequently pull out of the deal, you'll forfeit your deposit. If the seller pulls out, he must pay you twice the sum of the deposit.
16. Wait for the notary's checks - The notaio now begins the official legal processes, including checking ownership of the property, any debts related to it and planning permission. These are the same checks that your own lawyer has undertaken already for you, but remember that whereas the solicitor is working for you, the notary is working independently for the government.
17. Completion - On the completion date, the final contract ("rogito") is drawn up by the 'notaio' and signed by both you and the seller. A translation is mandatory if you are not fluent in Italian.
18. Pay for the property and applicable taxes - The remainder of the purchase price is paid along with all fees and any other taxes due. We can help you budget for these costs when you arrange your mortgage and provide a hassle-free money transfer service to make these payments as quick and easy as possible for you. Check out our 'overseas payment services'.
19. Title will be registered at the Land Registry - The very final step of the buying process is when the notary registers the Deed of Sale with the Land Registry. You are now officially a homeowner in Italy - congratulations!