Nowadays getting a mortgage in Italy to buy a property is one of the most controversial issues for non-Italian house hunters.

So we have interviewed the Fidea team that with its Top Italian Mortgage brand specializes in helping those with non-Italian residency and income who are interested in buying real estate in Italy to get a mortgage with a bank in Italy.

Does the procedure of getting a mortgage in Italy as a foreigner vary depending on the country of residence?

“Yes, it varies according to a few main factors:

  • country of residence
  • employment (employed, self-employed or retired)
  • currency in which you receive income

Each credit institute has its own procedure for submitting the application.

The maximum amount to apply for is 60% of the purchase price.”

Is it better to take out a mortgage in euro or another currency?

“Most Italian banks work with mortgages in euros and not in other currencies. However some also accept operations in other major currencies such as US dollar, Swiss franc and British pound. It depends on your case and can be assessed with the help of your consultant.”

Once you have chosen a currency, with the mortgage already in place, can you convert it to your own currency?

“In compliance with the 2017/17/EU MCD (Mortgage Credit Directive), the bank guarantees the possibility of converting the currency in which the loan is denominated (e.g. Euro) into the currency in which the client earns income or into the currency that is legal tender in the country in which he or she resides (e.g. US Dollar). This is only possible in the case in which the currency in which you want to convert your mortgage loses more than 0.20% compared to the currency in which you got the loan.”

Are there differences between overseas buyers who receive income in Italy and those who do not?

“What is relevant for the Italian credit institute is not the citizenship, but the country where you reside and where you receive and declare your income.

  • In case you have non-Italian citizenship who receives income in Italy can submit a request to all credit institutes in Italy and the procedure will be the same as for Italian customers with income in Italy.
  • In case your residence and income are abroad the banks able to assist you and the procedures are different and it is very useful to seek the help of a consultant who knows the market and can assist in your specific case.”

Can an overseas buyer take out a loan for a non-habitable house to be renovated?

“Nowadays taking out a loan for a house to be renovated can be very diccifult for a non-resident buyers. However, it is possible to assess the request on a case-by-case basis.”

Can an overseas investor buy a property in Italy as a ‘first home’ in Italy?

“There are to main cases:

  • an Italian citizen who is resident abroad but registered with the Registry of Italians Residing Abroad (AIRE) and who is not already the owner of a property on the Italian territory as his/her ‘primary residence’, can buy real estate without the need to transfer his/her residency to Italy.
  • a non-Italian citizen who is resident abroad and wants to buy a property in Italy taking advantage of the ‘first home’ benefits must transfer his/her residence to Italy. In this case if he/she wants to get a mortgage the bank requires proof − confirmation of his/her situation from his/her employer, etc. − that the client will continue to receive his/her income and will be able to maintain his employment. We always recommend that clients check with their accountant about tax implications if they change their residency.”

What about taxation?

“From a fiscal point of view, tax on the loan is 2% of its amount if you buy a second home, and 0.25% if you buy a first home. The tax is paid as a one-off payment when the mortgage is signed and is withheld by the bank as withholding agent.”

Do you have other questions or doubts? Let us know in comment below.