Buying a home in Sicily from abroad, step by step

Buying a home in Italy follows a different path from the US: the notary has a central role, and some papers bind you earlier than you might expect. These are the steps, in order.

Every buyer needs an Italian tax ID number (codice fiscale). You usually authorize someone in Italy, often the notary, to request it from the Italian Revenue Agency with form AA4/8; consulates handle it only in limited cases.

Pick your notary before you sign a purchase proposal or a preliminary contract: both can already bind you. The notary's fee is not fixed by law; ask for a written quote.

Usually you make a written offer, then sign a preliminary contract with a deposit. For a home still to be built, the preliminary contract must be signed before a notary and comes with a guarantee on your deposits.

You can sign through someone else with a power of attorney. For a foreign citizen it is usually drawn up with an Italian notary, translated, signed before a US notary with an apostille, and then translated for use in Italy. Italian consulates prepare powers of attorney only for Italian citizens.

The final deed is signed before the notary, who checks the property, registers the sale and collects the taxes. For non-EU citizens the notary also checks the legal conditions for buying in Italy. Taxes depend on the case: a new home from a builder pays VAT (4% if it becomes your main home and you move your residence there within 18 months, 10% otherwise); a second home bought from a private seller pays 9% registration tax (minimum €1,000) plus two fixed taxes of €50 each.

General information updated on October 9, 2026, not legal or tax advice. Timing depends on each case. Have every step checked by a notary. Trupiano Visual is not a real estate agency.

Give a buyer abroad the order of the steps and who does what.

• Buyers in the US: who want to understand the process before choosing a home.
• Families with roots in Sicily: buying for the first time from abroad.