The Notary: Your Key Ally in an Italian Property Purchase
Buying property in Italy is not just about signing a contract — it’s a legal process with the notary (notaio) at its core. This highly respected professional plays a crucial role in ensuring the deal is legal, transparent, and secure.
Who is the notary and what do they do?
In Italy, a notary is a public official with advanced legal training. Their role is governed by strict regulations, and Italians place great trust in their impartiality and professionalism. The notary is seen as a neutral party who ensures that the interests of both buyer and seller are protected.
When purchasing property in Italy, the notary:
Who chooses the notary?
Since the buyer pays for the notary’s services, it is their right to choose the notary. If you’re unsure whom to work with, we’re happy to recommend trusted professionals we’ve been collaborating with for years — including notaries who speak English and are experienced with international clients.
How much does a notary cost?
It’s also important to note that lower property prices don’t always mean lower notary fees. Older properties — which are common in Italy — often require more in-depth document checks, clarification of ownership rights, planning permissions, or inheritance matters. All of this increases the notary’s workload and, therefore, their fee.
As a very general estimate, notary fees (excluding taxes) in Abruzzo typically range between €1,900 and €3,000.
Notary escrow account: added protection for buyers
In Italy, it’s common to use a dedicated notary escrow account (conto dedicato). This means that the buyer wires the funds to the notary before the deed is signed, but the seller receives the money only after the deed is officially registered. This offers additional security and peace of mind for both parties.
Notaries and real estate agents: working together for your benefit
A successful property transaction in Italy relies on strong collaboration between the notary and your real estate agent. We work closely with notaries throughout the entire process to ensure documents are in order, deadlines are met, and everything runs smoothly — so you don’t have to worry about the details.
You’re in safe hands
We support our clients from the first viewing all the way through to the final signature with the notary. We make sure you understand every step of the process and remain available to you long after the deal is closed.
If you’re planning to buy property in Abruzzo or Molise, you can trust that you’ll be supported by a team of experienced professionals who care about your goals and peace of mind.
Buying property in Italy is not just about signing a contract — it’s a legal process with the notary (notaio) at its core. This highly respected professional plays a crucial role in ensuring the deal is legal, transparent, and secure.
Who is the notary and what do they do?
In Italy, a notary is a public official with advanced legal training. Their role is governed by strict regulations, and Italians place great trust in their impartiality and professionalism. The notary is seen as a neutral party who ensures that the interests of both buyer and seller are protected.
When purchasing property in Italy, the notary:
- Checks the property’s ownership status and ensures there are no outstanding debts or legal issues;
- Drafts and authenticates the final deed of sale (rogito);
- Registers the deed with the tax authorities (registrazione) and records it in the public land registry (trascrizione);
- Calculates and collects the taxes due on the transaction (these are fixed by law and are the same regardless of which notary you choose).
Who chooses the notary?
Since the buyer pays for the notary’s services, it is their right to choose the notary. If you’re unsure whom to work with, we’re happy to recommend trusted professionals we’ve been collaborating with for years — including notaries who speak English and are experienced with international clients.
How much does a notary cost?
- Notary fees in Italy are not one-size-fits-all. They can vary depending on:
- The purchase price of the property;
- Whether the deed needs to be bilingual (which may involve additional work and cost);
- The complexity of the transaction (e.g., inheritance issues, multiple owners, old or unclear documentation);
- The location of the property — for example, fees in Milan are typically higher than in Pescara, and Pescara fees can be higher than in nearby rural areas.
It’s also important to note that lower property prices don’t always mean lower notary fees. Older properties — which are common in Italy — often require more in-depth document checks, clarification of ownership rights, planning permissions, or inheritance matters. All of this increases the notary’s workload and, therefore, their fee.
As a very general estimate, notary fees (excluding taxes) in Abruzzo typically range between €1,900 and €3,000.
Notary escrow account: added protection for buyers
In Italy, it’s common to use a dedicated notary escrow account (conto dedicato). This means that the buyer wires the funds to the notary before the deed is signed, but the seller receives the money only after the deed is officially registered. This offers additional security and peace of mind for both parties.
Notaries and real estate agents: working together for your benefit
A successful property transaction in Italy relies on strong collaboration between the notary and your real estate agent. We work closely with notaries throughout the entire process to ensure documents are in order, deadlines are met, and everything runs smoothly — so you don’t have to worry about the details.
You’re in safe hands
We support our clients from the first viewing all the way through to the final signature with the notary. We make sure you understand every step of the process and remain available to you long after the deal is closed.
If you’re planning to buy property in Abruzzo or Molise, you can trust that you’ll be supported by a team of experienced professionals who care about your goals and peace of mind.