Buying Property

Buying Property Without Speaking Italian: What You Are Getting Into

Thousands of people buy property in Italy without speaking Italian. It is absolutely possible. But it requires more professional support, more money, and more patience than buying in your own language. Understanding what you are managing helps you plan properly and avoid the most common frustrations.

The Reality

Italy is not particularly accommodating to non-Italian speakers in official matters. Unlike countries with significant English-speaking immigrant populations, Italy's bureaucracy operates almost entirely in Italian. Forms are in Italian. Notices are in Italian. Phone calls to utility companies are in Italian.

In tourist areas and with businesses that work with foreigners, English is common. Estate agents, lawyers who specialise in foreign clients, and international removal companies all speak English. But the official machinery of Italian life assumes Italian.

The key point: You can buy property without Italian, but you cannot navigate everything yourself without Italian. You will depend on intermediaries more than you might expect, and that dependency has costs, both financial and in terms of control.

Documents and Contracts

Every official document in your property purchase will be in Italian:

The proposta (purchase offer)
The compromesso (preliminary contract)
The rogito (final deed)
Cadastral documents and property records
Technical reports from geometra or surveyor
Permit applications and approvals
Utility contracts
Tax forms and notices
Condominium regulations (if applicable)

You will need translations of key documents for your own understanding. But the legal versions are Italian. That is what you sign. That is what is enforceable.

Translation costs: Professional translation of a standard property contract typically costs 200 to 400 euros. Technical documents may cost more. Budget 500 to 1,000 euros for translations during the purchase process.

Working with Professionals

Experienced professionals exist but are less numerous and typically charge more:

Lawyers (Avvocati)

English-speaking property lawyers are available, especially in larger cities and areas popular with foreign buyers. Expect to pay 20 to 50 percent premium over local rates. Worth it for the ability to communicate directly about complex matters.

Geometri (Surveyors)

Fewer geometri speak English well. You may need to work through your lawyer or agent as intermediary. Finding one who does speak English is valuable but may require looking beyond the immediate area.

Notaries (Notai)

Some notaries speak English; many do not. If your notary does not speak English, Italian law requires a sworn interpreter at the rogito. This is not optional.

Estate Agents (Agenti Immobiliari)

Many agents speak some English, especially those marketing to foreign buyers. Quality varies significantly. "English speaking" can mean anything from fluent to basic tourism vocabulary.

Builders (Imprese Edili)

Most local builders speak only Italian. Renovation projects require an intermediary (usually your geometra) to communicate specifications, changes, and problems.

The practical impact: you will pay more for professional services, and you will have fewer choices when selecting professionals. This is a real constraint, especially in rural areas where the pool of English-speaking experts is small.

The Notary Appointment

The rogito (final deed signing) has specific legal requirements for non-Italian speakers:

Interpreter Requirement

If you do not speak Italian, a sworn interpreter (interprete giurato) must be present at the rogito. This is a legal requirement, not optional. The interpreter translates the deed as the notary reads it aloud, ensures you understand what you are signing, and co-signs the document.

Cost: 250 to 400 euros typically
Must be officially registered as a sworn interpreter
Usually arranged by the notary or your lawyer
Book in advance, especially in areas with fewer interpreters

What Happens at the Rogito

The notary reads the entire deed aloud in Italian
The interpreter translates each section as it is read
You can ask questions through the interpreter
You sign the deed in multiple places
The interpreter signs a declaration that they translated accurately
The whole process typically takes 1 to 2 hours

Prepare in advance: Review a translated draft of the deed before the appointment. The rogito is not the time to discover surprises. All questions and clarifications should be resolved beforehand with your lawyer.

Post-Purchase Challenges

The language challenge does not end when you have the keys. Ongoing property ownership involves regular interactions with Italian systems:

Utilities

Contracts are in Italian
Customer service is typically Italian only
Bills and notices are in Italian
Online accounts may or may not have English options

Taxes

IMU notices come from the comune in Italian
TARI bills are in Italian
F24 payment forms require understanding the coding system
Agenzia delle Entrate (tax office) operates in Italian

Comune and Administration

Residency applications are in Italian
Building permits and planning applications are in Italian
Official correspondence comes in Italian
Counter staff typically speak only Italian

Emergencies and Problems

Finding an emergency plumber who speaks English is difficult
Police reports are in Italian
Insurance claims require Italian documentation
Medical care (if you become resident) is in Italian

Practical Solutions

1. Learn Some Italian

Even basic Italian makes a significant difference. You do not need fluency. Survival Italian, numbers, common phrases, and the ability to read simple documents helps enormously. It also signals respect and builds goodwill.

Learn property and construction vocabulary specifically
Practice numbers (essential for prices, dates, measurements)
Learn common bureaucratic terms
Apps like Duolingo provide basics; consider formal lessons for more

2. Build a Support Network

Identify Experienced professionals and contacts before you need them:

English-speaking lawyer for ongoing questions
English-speaking accountant/commercialista for tax matters
Local expat contacts who can help in emergencies
Property manager if you are not there full-time

3. Use Technology

Google Translate on your phone for documents and signs
DeepL for more accurate translations of official documents
Google Lens for instant translation of printed text
WhatsApp for easy communication (standard in Italy)

4. Budget Appropriately

Accept that the language barrier has financial costs:

Premium for Experienced professionals
Translation costs for documents
Interpreter fees at notary
Possible property management fees if not resident
Occasional professional help for dealing with bureaucracy

5. Join Expat Communities

Other foreigners who have been through the process are invaluable resources:

Facebook groups for expats in your area
Online forums for foreign property owners
Local expat social groups
Recommendations for professionals and tradespeople

The Bottom Line

Not speaking Italian is a significant but manageable challenge. Thousands of people do it successfully. The keys are:

Accept you will need more professional support
Budget for the additional costs this creates
Build your support network before you need it
Learn at least basic Italian
Be patient with processes that take longer than they would at home

The alternative is to invest seriously in learning Italian before you buy. If you plan to spend significant time in Italy, this investment pays dividends far beyond the property purchase.

Related Guides

The Purchase Process - understanding each stage
Renovation in Abruzzo - managing projects without fluent Italian
Italian Estate Agents - how they work
Living in Abruzzo - practical daily life

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