Don’t Believe These Myths About Moving to Italy
Every week, someone messages us to say they’ve read online that you can buy a house in Italy for €1, renovate it without planning permission, drive around in your UK-plated car, and never need a visa—because someone in a Facebook group said so.
Welcome to the wonderful world of myths about moving to Italy. Let’s bust a few before you bust your budget (or your brain).
1. “You Don’t Need a Geometra for Small Renovations”
Ah, the classic. “It’s just a non-structural wall—we’ll knock it down ourselves.”
Except in Italy, everything might require planning permission, even changing your kitchen layout. And guess what? Only a registered tecnico—a geometra, architect, or engineer—can legally apply for that permission.
“But who’s going to know?” you ask.
Well, the comune (town hall/local authority) just might. They keep official floorplans (planimetrie catastali) of every home, and if yours doesn’t match what’s on file because you made DIY changes, it’s not just awkward—it can be illegal.
DO IT WITHOUT ONE?
Fines, legal action, insurance nightmares, and you could find your dream home is unsellable in the future. Not so dreamy after all.
Want to sell your house one day? You’ll have to pay the fines and hire a tecnico to update the plans before you even think about handing over the keys.
So yes, knock that wall down if you must—just be prepared to rebuild it with your wallet.
2. “There’s an Italian Price and a Foreign Price”
This one pops up a lot online—and while it feels true for some, it’s more about perception than policy.
There aren’t officially two prices. But some foreigners say they’ve been quoted more than locals for the same property. Why? Often because they don’t speak the language, don’t know the local market, or they’re relying on someone’s “English-speaking cousin” to guide them through the process.
It’s not a grand conspiracy—it’s just opportunism. And that happens everywhere.
AVOID IT:
Work with a reputable, independent geometra, lawyer, and (if needed) engineer. They’ll help spot any hidden structural issues, make sure everything’s properly registered with the Catasto and the Registro Immobiliare—Italy’s version of the land registry, and ensure you’re buying what’s actually on paper—not just what looks charming in the photos.
In short: speak the language of professional paperwork, not just holiday dreams.
3. “If I Buy a House and Apply for Residency, I Get a Tax Discount”
Yes, but also… no.
The reduced sales tax (2% instead of 9%) only applies if you actually establish official residency in the home within 18 months. That means registering with the comune, proving it’s your primary residence, and having the local police confirm you really live there.
GOING FOR CITIZENSHIP INSTEAD?
That doesn’t give you the discount unless you’ve formally become a resident first. Your ancestry may entitle you to a passport, but it won’t shave 7% off your purchase tax bill.
4. “Buying Land is Cheaper Than Buying a House”
Not necessarily. In fact, sales tax on land can be as high as 22% depending on how it’s classified and whether you’re considered a farmer (spoiler: you’re probably not).
And if it’s rustic or agricultural land, there are often rules around building, fencing, and even planting. It’s not the Wild West. It’s the Bureaucratic Boot.
5. “I’ll Hire a Lawyer and a Geometra After I Buy”
Please don’t. You need these professionals before you commit to anything. Your geometra checks what’s physically there versus what’s registered (because surprise—those aren’t always the same). Your lawyer checks for ownership issues, debts, unpaid taxes, dodgy clauses, or the unwritten agreement that gave the neighbour the two rooms above your new bedroom—which he now wants back.
SKIPPING THIS STEP?
In Italy, what you see isn’t always what you legally get. So get the right people on your side before you sign anything that ties you to someone else’s very creative property arrangement.
Failing to do this is like buying a car and then checking whether the brakes work on your way down a mountain.
6. “You Can Move to Italy on the Cheap”
Italy is many things. Cheap? Not usually. Sure, wine is cheaper than petrol and you can buy a house for the price of a London parking space. But navigating Italy’s rules, renovations, and bureaucracy takes time, patience, and yes—money.
HERE’S THE TRUTH:
If you’re trying to move here on the extreme-cheap—avoiding professionals, guessing your way through paperwork, and hoping for the best—you’re not moving to Italy. You’re starting a YouTube channel called “Our Italian Property Nightmare.” (And if that’s your plan, best of luck—just make sure the camera’s rolling when you find out your bedroom is technically a stable.)
Final Thoughts
Moving to Italy can be a dream come true—if you go into it with clear eyes and a solid team behind you. There’s no prize for doing it all solo or on a shoestring. In fact, it can cost you far more in the end.
Pay for expert advice. Ask the boring questions. Hire the geometra. And when you finally sit on your terrace with a glass of local wine, you’ll know you did it the right way.
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