Purchase Offer (Proposta di Acquisto):

To establish the price of the property the buyer formulates a written purchase offer, which we will draw up for you. The intention to buy is emphasized through a deposit (Caparra Confirmatoria). Once there is an agreement on price between the buyer and the seller and the seller has accepted the deposit, we proceed with the preliminary contract.

Preliminary Contract (Preliminare di Compravendita Immobile):

This private, legally secured purchase and sales promise guarantees the property to the buyer on the one hand, and on the other hand gives the seller the security that the buyer is committed to buy. The preliminary contract is, in its contents and formulation, very similar to the subsequent notarial contract of purchase and, owing to the contractual promise of both parties, it represents an obligation on both sides. It includes all terms and conditions, methods of payment, dates for the final contract and any other details deemed important. We recommend that this be done with the assistance of a public notary. The preliminary contract comes into force with a deposit (Caparra Confirmatoria), which amounts to approx. 30% of the purchase price.

Caparra Confirmatoria:

The Caparra Confirmatoria is regulated by §1385 of the Codice Civile (Italian Civil Code), which is applicable to sales offers and preliminary contracts. This deposit signifies the buyer’s serious intention to purchase the property, and by accepting the deposit, the seller expresses his commitment to sell. Should there be a failure to comply with the contract of the Caparra Confirmatoria, the regulations are as follows. Should it be the fault of the buyer, he loses his deposit. Should the seller withdraw from the contract, he is committed to refund the full amount of the deposit plus an equal amount to the buyer. This represents an equal security for both parties.

Final Contract (Atto Notarile di Compravendita Immobile):

The final contract of purchase is usually signed one to six months after the purchase offer / preliminary contract has been signed. Beforehand, the public notary investigates whether the legal and historical origins of the property are incontestable, and after the contract has been signed, he orders the transfer of title in the land registry. The final contract will be registered in the property registration office (Ufficio Catastale and the Conservatoria dei Registri Immobiliari). Now, the remainder, the notary's fee and taxes are paid. To guarantee complete understanding of both parties, a certified interpreter will be present to translate the final contract.

Additional Expenses:

On signing the final contract taxes are to be paid, which the notary will retain. The calculation of the taxes is not based on the purchase price, but on the property’s value documented in the land registry (Reddito Catastale).

Registration of a Preliminary Contract:

0.5% of the deposit (which will be reimbursed at the final contract)
Euro 168 (½ the buyer, ½ the seller)
Euro 14.62 for every 4 pages (½ the buyer, ½ the seller)
Euro 0.52 for each sheet of attachment (½ the buyer, ½ the seller)

Primary Residence (Residenza) when buying from a private individual:

3% Registration Tax (Imposta di Registro)
Euro 168 Land Registry Tax (Imposta Catastale)
Euro 168 Mortgage Tax (Imposta Ipotecaria)
1% - 1.5 % Notary fee on the declared value in the final contract

Primary Residence (Residenza) when buying from a developer:

4% IVA (VAT)
Euro 168 Registration Tax (Imposta di Registro)
Euro 168 Land Registry Tax (Imposta Catastale)
Euro 168 Mortgage Tax (Imposta Ipotecaria)
1% - 1.5 % Notary fee on the declared value in the final contract

Second Home (Domicilio) when buying from a private individual:

7% Registration Tax (Imposta di Registro)
1% Land Registry Tax (Imposta Catastale)
2% Mortgage Tax (Imposta Ipotecaria)
1% - 1.5 % Notary fee on the declared value in the final contract

Second Home (Domicilio) when buying from a developer:

10% IVA (VAT)
Euro 168 Registration Tax (Imposta di Registro)
Euro 168 Land Registry Tax (Imposta Catastale)
Euro 168 Mortgage Tax (Imposta Ipotecaria)
1% - 1.5 % Notary fee on the declared value in the final contract

Purchase of a Corporation:

20% IVA (VAT) on the sales price