Can a French citizen buy property in Italy?

Buying Property in Italy

French citizens may freely acquire apartments, villas, country houses, luxury properties, commercial premises, offices, warehouses, development land, agricultural land and other real estate rights recognised under Italian law.

Before completion, the Italian Notary carries out a comprehensive legal review of the transaction. This includes verifying ownership of the property, checking the continuity of title, reviewing cadastral and planning compliance, identifying mortgages or other encumbrances, confirming the applicable tax treatment and ensuring compliance with Italian anti-money laundering legislation.

Where agricultural land is involved, the ordinary Italian rules governing agricultural pre-emption rights and planning restrictions continue to apply.

Buying Through a French Company

Companies incorporated under French law may also acquire real estate or corporate interests in Italy.

Before completing the transaction, the Italian Notary will verify the company's legal existence, constitutional documents, the powers of its authorised representatives, the beneficial ownership structure where required by law and the documentation relating to the origin of the funds used for the investment.

For complex investment projects, establishing an Italian company may also represent an appropriate alternative, depending on the investor's objectives.

Marital Property Regime

The matrimonial property regime is one of the most important legal aspects for French citizens purchasing property in Italy.

Under French law, the statutory regime is generally communauté réduite aux acquêts, which broadly corresponds to the Italian community of property system. As a general rule, assets owned before the marriage remain personal property, while assets acquired during the marriage ordinarily become part of the spouses' common estate.

However, French spouses may adopt a different matrimonial property regime by entering into a contrat de mariage, including separation of property or other arrangements recognised under French law.

Where international elements are involved, such as multiple nationalities, changes of habitual residence or a choice of applicable law, the Italian Notary will determine the governing matrimonial property regime in accordance with the relevant rules of private international law and, where applicable, Regulation (EU) 2016/1103.

For this reason, nationality alone is never sufficient to determine ownership rights between spouses.

Marital Agreements

If the spouses have entered into a contrat de mariage, its legal effects should be carefully assessed before the purchase takes place.

Such agreements may significantly affect ownership rights and should therefore be examined together with the rest of the transaction documentation.

Powers of Attorney Executed in France

If a purchaser cannot travel to Italy, it is generally possible to complete the transaction through a power of attorney.

Powers of attorney executed in France may be used for Italian notarial transactions provided that they comply with the applicable legal requirements.

Before relying on such a document, the Italian Notary will verify the identity of the principal, the formal validity of the power of attorney, the authority that authenticated it, the scope of the powers granted and its suitability for the intended transaction.

French Public Documents

As France is a Member State of the European Union, many public documents relating to civil status benefit from the simplified circulation rules established by Regulation (EU) 2016/1191.

For the categories covered by that Regulation, legalisation or Apostille is generally not required.

However, these simplifications do not automatically extend to powers of attorney or to documents intended to produce legal effects within the Italian land registration system. Each document should therefore be reviewed individually by the Italian Notary.

Translation of Documents

Documents issued in France that are intended to be used in connection with an Italian notarial deed may need to be accompanied by an appropriate Italian translation, depending on their nature and intended use.

Before completion, the Italian Notary will determine which documents require translation and verify that names, personal details and legal terminology are consistent throughout the documentation.

Cross-Border Successions

When an estate involves French citizens or assets located in Italy, Regulation (EU) No. 650/2012 on international successions may become relevant.

The law governing the succession depends on the circumstances of the individual case, including the deceased's habitual residence and any valid choice of law made during his or her lifetime.

Obtaining legal advice before the succession procedure begins is often advisable in order to avoid uncertainty.

Tax Considerations

French citizenship does not create any special tax regime for purchasing property in Italy.

The ordinary provisions of Italian tax law apply, including any reliefs or incentives available where the statutory conditions are satisfied.

The taxation applicable to the transaction will depend on factors such as the nature of the property, the purchaser's circumstances and the characteristics of the acquisition.

How an Italian Notary Can Help

Buying property abroad often involves unfamiliar legal systems, foreign documentation and cross-border legal issues.

An Italian Notary can assist French clients throughout the entire process by reviewing foreign documents, verifying the applicable matrimonial property regime, checking powers of attorney and ensuring that every stage of the transaction complies with Italian law.

Final Remarks

For French citizens, purchasing property in Italy is generally straightforward and is not affected by nationality-based restrictions.

Nevertheless, every international transaction deserves careful legal planning. Particular attention should be given to the applicable matrimonial property regime, the possible existence of a contrat de mariage and the correct use of foreign documentation.

Seeking professional advice before signing a reservation agreement, preliminary contract or deed of sale is often the best way to ensure that the transaction proceeds smoothly and with full legal certainty.