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PROPERTY

Why now is the ‘best’ time to buy property in Italy

If you’re looking at purchasing property in Italy, here’s why there are some major financial advantages to buying at the moment.

If you're considering a house purchase in Italy, now may be the time.
If you're considering a house purchase in Italy, now may be the time. Photo; Babak on Unsplash

Italy is famously full of abandoned homes on sale for a euro, and other unloved. rustic properties which may or may not be such a bargain once all is said and done.

But if you’re not in the market for a major renovation project in a remote area, the good news is that right now you’re likely to get a good deal no matter the property type or location you’re interested in.

READ ALSO: The real cost of buying a house in Italy as a foreigner

Costs could be relatively low even if you’re looking to purchase a modern home or a property in an area known for being expensive – such as in Italy’s major city centres, popular coastal areas, and other parts of the country favoured by the international market.

With record low interest rates on mortgages right now and property prices dropping back to pre-pandemic levels, chances are you could find a very reasonable deal in any part of the country.

Here’s a look at what buyers can expect at the moment.

Property prices falling again

For years, Italy has been the only European country where property prices overall were actually falling.

But even the sluggish Italian market wasn’t immune to the ‘pandemic effect’ as, like in many other countries, people scrambled to buy larger homes with gardens and office space as they re-evaluated priorities.

Last year this surge in buying and selling pushed up house prices in Italy overall (by +7 percent in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the end of 2019).

But data shows that the price increase hasn’t been sustained, and prices have since fallen – meaning the initial surge in interest in property purchases amid the pandemic didn’t reverse the long-term trend.

This is according to a study by mortgage website MutuiOnline.it, which found only a “brief initial recovery period” in early 2020, offset by a new decline in house prices in the second half of the year and in early 2021.

Photo: TIZIANA FABI/AFP

Of course this is an overall average and, just as before the coronavirus crisis, prices aren’t dropping in every market segment or in every part of the country.

The only parts of Italy still recording an increase in average prices per square metre in early 2021 were the island regions of Sicily and Sardinia, with +5 percent compared to 2020, the study found

Italy’s property market has long been weighed down by the large number of older, hard-to-sell properties around the country which often need extensive renovations and/or tend to be tangled in red tape, adding to the cost of buying significantly.

But categories such as new build homes and apartments in city centres continue to see price growth, while the international market (focused on second homes and investment properties in prestigious areas) has remained buoyant throughout the coronavirus crisis.

No matter where and what you want to buy however, there’s more positive news if you’ll be applying for a mortgage.

Lowest mortgage rates in a decade – and in Europe

Interest rates on mortgages for the purchase of the first home have been at their lowest for years in recent months.

Italian real estate experts stressed earlier this year that “now is the best time to buy a house”, with agency Selezione Immobiliare noting in May that “interest rates on mortgages for the purchase of the first home have been getting lower and lower in recent months and currently have fallen, for the first time in a long time, below 0.5 percent.”

This is due to a record drop in rates by the European Central Bank, according to newspaper La Stampa.

Interest rates have risen slightly since then, leading to speculation that inflation will mean current low interest rates won’t last much longer.

The average interest rate in Italy rose from 1.40 to 1.47 percent between July and August, according to the most recent figures from the Italian Banking Association (ABI).

However the ABI report notes that “interest rates on financing transactions remain at particularly low levels, at historic lows”.

For now, despite slight monthly fluctuations, lenders continue to offer some of the lowest interest rates seen in over a decade.

A row of houses by a lake in Lierna, Lecco

Photo: Michael Meyer/Unsplash

The average mortgage repayment in Italy has almost halved over the last 10 years – meaning people applying for a mortgage now will pay hundreds of euros less a month than they would have just a few years ago. 

READ ALSO: Italy’s building bonus: Can you really claim back the cost of renovating property?

Data from Italian consumer rights association Codacons showed that a mortgage of 100,000 euros over a duration of 25 years for the purchase of a first home in Milan today comes with a fixed interest rate of around 0.98 percent, with monthly repayments costing 370 euros per month. 

In September 2011, in fact, the fixed rate on the same loan was 4.25 percent, meaning a monthly payment of 542 euros.

Savings are even bigger at the moment on variable rates, Codacons noted.

Meanwhile, a joint study by price comparison websites Facile.it and Mutui.it found that Italy is the European nation with the lowest fixed mortgage rate – at 0.98 percent last month.

In Europe the second-lowest costs were found in Germany, at 1.18 percent.

Mortgages in Spain meanwhile attract a rate of 1.64 percent, and in Portugal the rate starts from 1.91 percent. The figure was recorded as 2.30 in Norway and 2.40 in the United Kingdom.

In Albania and Greece, borrowers find themselves paying considerably higher rates equal to 3.00 and 3.20 percent respectively, the report stated.

“Despite some significant differences, as in the case of Albania or Greece, rates in the eurozone remain fairly aligned with each other since all states use the same benchmarks,” stated Ivano Cresto, Managing Director of financing products at Facile.it.

“The changes in the rate on mortgages therefore are attributable to competitive dynamics between the credit institutions present in each country.”

“If on the other hand, we look at countries outside the EU, such as the US, where inflation has already started to rise, the rates are higher. If this should also increase in Europe, then we can expect a rise in rates throughout the continent, including Italy,” he said.

Help to buy for under-36s

The Italian goverment is currently offering to help young people (which it defines as those aged under 36) with the cost of buying a first home.

Financial help is available to those who have an ‘ISEE’ – a social-economic indicator of household income – of up to €40,000. There is no restriction on non-Italian citizens claiming.

If you fall into this category, you can benefit from a VAT cut and other exemptions on registration, mortgage and land registry tax, saving up to €9,000 on the costs of buying a first home. Find more details here.

See more in The Local’s Italian property section.

Member comments

  1. I would be interested to know how anyone buys or sells any property in Italy?? I cannot get the most straightforward information from any agent in my area (Terni)
    I have found that whether it be an enquiry about a house I am interested in or about selling my own property, they just do not seem interested!

  2. We initially had that same frustration as well. But we happened upon Via dei Colli, a small real estate company in Umbria. Fabio and Stefano were fantastic and helped us every step of the way in buying a place near your area of Umbria. And they continued to help us through the renovation process and getting to know our new region. We highly recommend them. Good luck!

  3. The headline on interest rates sounded exciting to us but so far I am being told by banks they will only extend mortages terms to age 70. So the payment on, in our case, a 5 year mortgage makes for a big monthly payment. I would love to hear about any financial institution that will provide 20 or 30 year term mortgages to home owners who are 65.

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For members

PENSIONS

Can you transfer your Italian pension if you move abroad?

If you work in Italy and then move to another country, will you be entitled to an Italian pension - and can you take it with you? The Local asks financial experts how the system works.

Can you transfer your Italian pension if you move abroad?

For those living in another country long-term, future planning around pensions is often a high priority on the list.

Unlike Switzerland, for example, where working for at least one year makes you eligible for a Swiss pension, or the United Kingdom where the minimum contribution period is 10 years, Italian law stipulates 20 years of contributions in Italy to get the minimum pension amount. This rule applies to all workers, regardless of their nationality.

EXPLAINED: How your Italian pension works

So if you’ve worked in Italy and contributed to a pension, what happens to it if you then move back to your home country, or elsewhere?

The Local asked Emilio Martinotti, tax and business consultant at international advisory firm Ecovis, whether or not it is possible to transfer an Italian pension overseas.

Q: Can a foreign national who is eligible for an Italian pension receive it if they leave Italy?

A: “Yes, it’s possible for a foreigner who is eligible for an Italian pension to receive their pension even if they leave Italy. Italy has bilateral agreements with many countries to ensure that individuals can receive their pensions abroad.

“This includes all 27 EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Quebec, Israel, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, Mexico, Countries of former Yugoslavia, Principality of Monaco, Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Korea (posting only), Republic of San Marino, the Holy See, Tunisia, Turkey, USA (United States of America), Uruguay and Venezuela.”

Are there any countries where this is not possible? Do some countries not allow people to transfer foreign pensions?

“While many countries have agreements in place to allow for the transfer of pensions, there are exceptions.

READ ALSO: Pensions in the EU: What you need to know if you’re moving country

“Some countries may not allow pensions from other states, or there may be limitations or restrictions on how pensions are transferred. It’s essential to research the specific regulations of both Italy and the destination country.”

What is the procedure the foreign national has to go through to transfer their Italian pension? What documents must they show?

To receive their Italian pension, individuals typically need to apply through the appropriate Italian government agency, such as the National Social Security Institute (INPS).

“Foreigners may need to provide documents such as identification, proof of residency or work history, and any relevant information about contributions made to the Italian social security system.”

Is it the same for employees as it is for freelancers?

The procedure may vary slightly depending on whether someone is an employee, or in the gestione separata (‘separate management’, the INPS scheme used by most partita IVA holders), but the overall process of applying for and receiving the pension is generally similar.”

Is there a cost at all?

“There may be administrative fees associated with processing the pension application, but these costs are typically minimal compared to the benefits received.”

What can people do to make the procedure easier?

“Having all necessary documentation in order and being familiar with the application process can make the procedure easier. Additionally, seeking assistance from knowledgeable professionals or organisations specialising in pension matters can streamline the process.”

When is the foreigner eligible for an Italian pension allowed to draw it? Do they get in when they leave Italy even if they are not at the retirement age? Do they get it for the retirement age of their new country? Or do they get it for the Italian retirement age?

The eligibility and timing of receiving an Italian pension abroad can depend on various factors, including the individual’s age, contributions, and the regulations of both Italy and the destination country.

“Generally, individuals can start receiving their Italian pension when they meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of their location. However, the amount may be adjusted based on factors such as the cost of living in the new country.”

Have you noticed any problems foreign nationals have when they try to get their Italian pension? Is it difficult?

“Some foreigners may encounter challenges when applying for their Italian pension, such as language barriers, unfamiliarity with the Italian bureaucratic system, or difficulty in gathering the necessary documentation.

“While the process can be complex, seeking guidance from experts or organisations experienced in pension matters can help navigate any issues that arise.”

Please note that The Local cannot advise on individual cases. For more information about how Italy’s pension rules may apply in your circumstances, see the INPS website or consult a qualified tax professional.

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