The Process
The Process
info@nordicql.com
Buying abroad is open to foreign buyers everywhere we work, but the legal, financial and administrative steps differ from one country to the next, and from anything you will have done at home.
This guide sets out the process country by country, because the process genuinely is different in each. We connect you with trusted local agencies and act as your consultant from the first call to the keys.
Where are you buying?
Italy and North Cyprus open a full step by step guide below. Select any other country and we will send you its buying process.
Eight steps, from a tax code to the notary’s deed. These are Italian legal instruments and apply to purchases in Italy only.
Foreigners, including citizens of Nordic countries, are generally permitted to purchase property in Italy. Buyers from EU/EEA countries enjoy the same rights as Italian citizens when buying real estate.
Although this process is usually straightforward for Nordic buyers, eligibility rules and administrative requirements can sometimes raise questions. We can help you clarify your status, confirm your eligibility, and review any nationality-based requirements before you begin your property search, so you can move forward with confidence and avoid potential complications later in the process.
Before signing any contract in Italy, buyers must obtain a Codice Fiscale, which is an Italian tax identification number. This number is required to sign purchase contracts, open an Italian bank account, pay taxes and fees, and finalize the notarial deed when the property is transferred.
Foreign buyers can apply for a Codice Fiscale either through the Italian consulate in their home country or directly while in Italy. We guide you through the application process and ensure all necessary paperwork is completed and submitted correctly.
Before starting property viewings in Italy, it is important to have a clear financial plan in place. Buyers should define their total budget, decide whether they will purchase with their own funds or seek financing, and gain a basic understanding of the additional costs involved. These typically include real estate agent fees, notary fees, taxes, and registration charges, which together are usually around 8 to 10% of the purchase price.
We work closely with you to clarify all expected costs, explain how Italian taxes and fees work, and help you build a realistic budget so that there are no unexpected expenses later in the process.
We work closely with Italian real estate agencies and have access to more than 1,000 listings, enabling us to help you find a property that truly matches your needs and preferences.
As your consultant, we help you define your search criteria, including location, budget, and property type. We communicate directly with Italian agencies on your behalf, arrange viewings (either in person or online), and remain actively involved throughout the process. This role as your local representative and trusted partner is one of the most important ways we add value.
Once you have found a property you wish to purchase, the next step is to submit a formal purchase offer, known in Italy as a proposta d’acquisto. This is a written document that sets out the main terms of your proposal, including price and conditions. If the seller accepts the offer, the property is effectively reserved under the agreed terms.
We guide you through this stage by explaining all key elements of the offer, such as the required deposit, deadlines, and any conditions. We can also submit the offer to the seller on your behalf and coordinate the next steps.
After your offer has been accepted, the next step is signing the preliminary contract, known in Italy as the compromesso. This is a legally binding agreement that confirms the final purchase price, secures your deposit (typically between 10 and 30% of the purchase price), and sets out all conditions, responsibilities, and deadlines leading up to the final deed of sale.
Because this contract is enforceable under Italian law, it must be carefully and clearly drafted. We review and explain the preliminary contract with you in straightforward language, making sure your interests are protected.
The final step in the process is signing the deed of sale in front of an Italian notary (notaio), who is a public official responsible for overseeing the legal transfer of ownership. At this stage, the buyer pays the remaining balance of the purchase price along with applicable taxes and fees, and the notary formally registers the property in the new owner’s name.
We coordinate directly with the notary. We can also attend the signing with you or represent you via power of attorney if you cannot be present.
Once ownership of the property is officially transferred to you, there are several ongoing responsibilities to manage. This includes setting up essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and internet. You will also be responsible for local property taxes, including IMU (municipal property tax) and TARI (waste and municipal services tax).
If you wish, we can assist you with the entire post-purchase setup process. We can also introduce you to trusted partners, including accountants, tax advisors, and property management companies.
A different system entirely. There is no codice fiscale and no Italian notary here. Purchases run through a Permission to Purchase from the authorities, and most new-build is bought directly from the developer on interest free instalments.
A reservation holds the unit while contracts are drawn. On signing, the contract is registered at the Land Registry, which is what protects your position before the title deed transfers.
Foreign buyers apply to the authorities for consent. It is a formality in the ordinary case, but it takes months rather than weeks, and you can take possession while it is pending.
New build is typically bought direct from the developer with a deposit and the balance spread interest free through to completion, commonly 36 months on the projects we represent.
VAT falls due at handover, and the title deed transfer fee on full payment. Appoint your own lawyer, independent of the developer, before you sign anything.
Purchase taxes are calculated on 70% of the declared price and total roughly 14.5% of that figure.
| Cost | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Contract registration fee | 6% | On signing |
| Stamp duty | 0.5% | On signing |
| Permission to Purchase (PTP) | Half the local minimum wage | On signing |
| VAT | 5% | At handover |
| Title deed transfer fee | 3% | On full payment |
| Transformer & generator connection | £5,500 fixed | At handover |
| Legal fees | from £750 | On appointment |
Illustrative only and not tax advice. Confirm every figure with your own lawyer before committing to a purchase.
Navigating an unfamiliar property market can be an exciting opportunity, but it can also feel unfamiliar and complex for many buyers. Differences in language, paperwork, and local procedures often make the process less straightforward than what buyers are used to at home.
To reduce confusion, we help explain the key documents, concepts, and terminology in Danish, Norwegian, Icelandic, or English, so you have a clearer understanding of what is being discussed and agreed upon.
We act as your trusted local bridge throughout the process. Once we introduce you to local real estate agents, we remain actively involved by supporting the communication between both parties. We help clarify messages, align expectations, and ensure important details are understood correctly.
Our role is to guide and support you through the journey while ensuring you are well-informed at every step. You maintain direct contact with the professionals handling your purchase, while also benefiting from our local insight, experience, and language support, giving you greater confidence and clarity as you progress with your investment abroad.
We speak
Write to us in any of them. The website itself is in English.