Property taxes in Italy for foreigners in 2025–2026: how much does it really cost to own a house or apartment?
Have you already found a house in Calabria for €65,000 or an apartment in Rome for €180,000? Congratulations! But the purchase price is just the beginning. Now you need to find out what property taxes in Italy entail.
In Italy, property ownership comes with mandatory annual payments. These are property taxes in Italy. If you don’t know about them in advance, you could end up spending 15-25% more than you planned.
The Italiatut team has analyzed the current rates (2025–2026), regional differences, and benefits — and compiled everything into one guide. No fluff — just numbers, examples, and actions that will save you money.
Mandatory taxes and fees
1. IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica) — the main property tax
Who pays: owners of second and subsequent properties (the first residence is exempt if you are registered at the address and live there for more than 183 days a year).
Rate in 2025:
– 0.86% of the cadastral value (rendita catastale × coefficient) — base rate,
– +0.1–0.3% — may be added by municipalities (for example, in Rome — +0.1%, in Milan — +0.2%).
Example: an apartment in Calabria with a cadastral value of €50,000 → €430–€500/year.
Life hack: if you obtain residenza anagrafica (residence registration), IMU is canceled — even for foreigners.
→ Help from the Italiatut team
2. TARI (Tassa sui Rifiuti) — garbage collection tax
– Who pays: all owners, regardless of registration.
– Calculation: depends on the area + type of property (residential/commercial).
Current average values:
– €1.5–€2.5/m²/year — in the provinces,
– €2.5–€4/m²/year — in large cities (Rome, Milan, Naples).
Example: 70 m² apartment in Bari → €120–€180/year.
Important: if you are renting out your property, TARI can be included in the contract, but you are responsible for paying it.
3. TASI (canceled, but…)
Since 2020, TASI has been officially canceled — but some municipalities still include it in the bill as an “additional service charge.”
What to do: check your receipt — if TASI is included, request a recalculation.
Additional mandatory expenses (often overlooked!)
1. Utilities (electricity, water, gas):
€80–€150/month: Even if you don’t live there, you still have to pay the minimum charges (“subscription fee”).
2. Building management (amministratore)
€100–€250/year: Mandatory in condominiums. Includes: reporting, decision-making, coordination of repairs.
3. Natural disaster insurance
€150–€400/year: Recommended in areas at risk of earthquakes and flooding (south, mountains).
4. Technical inspection (manutenzione straordinaria)
€500–€2,000/once every 5–7 years: Roof, elevator, facade — paid proportionally to shares.
Tax breaks on real estate in Italy in 2025–2026: how to pay less?
Superbonus 110% (final phase)
Until December 31, 2025, you can receive compensation of up to 110% for:
– facade insulation,
– installation of solar panels,
– seismic reinforcement (especially relevant in the south!).
→ The amount is refunded through a tax credit or bank concession.
“First residence” (prima casa)
If you register your residenza anagrafica and live in the property for >183 days/year:
– IMU = 0,
– registration tax on purchase — 2% (instead of 9%).
→ Assistance with registration and residence permit
Property taxes in Italy: 3 hidden risks for foreigners
1. IMU/TARI debt owed by the previous owner
→ We always check the visura catastale and certificato di agibilità statements before purchase.
2. Penalties for late filing of declarations
→ From 2025, late payment penalties will be 5% of the amount + €50/month.
3. Incorrect cadastral class (categoria)
→ Error in class (e.g., A/2 instead of A/3) → underestimated cadastral value → additional charges for 5 years!
Want to see Italy from the inside?
Check out the GIDtut website — as part of our author’s tours, you can explore major cities and visit unique places!
Ready to buy real estate without any tax surprises?
Don’t take a chance.
Write to us on Telegram and we’ll tell you how to do it!
Knowing means paying less. And with Italiatut, you will know everything!
