Regional Information - Foreign Ownership > Italy, Europe

Feature Island

Regional Information

Italy’s islands provide a unique twist on private island living. Some of this country’s islands are located in the Venetian lagoon, providing privacy, but just a short boat ride away from all amenities. Imagine exploring the canals of Venice from your own front door. Italy’s islands usually have some interesting history, whether they house an ancient castle or were used as a medieval fortress. Italy offers much in the way of romance; with its sumptuous landscapes, expansive history and tasty cuisine, it’s hard not to fall in love with this country. Private islands in this region are available to foreigners on a freehold basis.

Italy, Europe

Foreign Ownership of Islands in Italy, Europe

Italy doesn’t have many restrictions of foreign ownership but the country does have a lot of red tape when in comes to buying property. Make sure to use a bilingual lawyer if you don’t speak Italian. Lawyers generally charge 4-6% of the purchase price, but they are very necessary in navigating the real estate laws of Italy. Closing costs in Italy can reach as high as 20%. The lawyer should ensure that the private island has no debt against it. In Italy, debt remains attached to a property, not a person, even after sale. A lawyer will also check the title, local planning restrictions and ensure the vendor has the right to sell.

Regional Statistics for Italy, Europe

Location:: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia
Population:: 58,133,509
Languages:: Italian (official), German, French, Slovene
Capital:: Rome
Currency:: Euro
Climate:: predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south
Temperature Range:: +5 to +38
Terrain:: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands
Natural Hazards:: regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice