Yes, you can get a mortgage in Italy even if you don't live there. Italian banks lend to non-residents buying city apartments, countryside homes and seaside villas. This guide explains who qualifies, how much you can borrow and how the process works.
Who Can Get an Italian Mortgage as a Non-Resident?
Non-residents from many countries, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and across the EU, can qualify for Italian mortgages. Banks lend to foreign buyers purchasing:
- Second homes
- Holiday residences
- Investment or rental properties
Typically, banks offer up to 60–70% financing of the property value, depending on your income, credit profile and the type of property. Italian citizens living abroad (registered with AIRE) can sometimes borrow more.
How Much Can You Borrow?
Two limits apply, and the bank lends the lower amount:
- Loan to value: the share of the property value the bank will finance, usually 60–70% for non-residents.
- Debt to income: all your loan payments should stay below about a third of your net monthly income.
Try the mortgage calculator to see which limit applies to you.
How the Italian Mortgage Process Works for Non-Residents
- Initial assessment. Work out your budget and check which banks lend to residents of your country. Not every Italian bank does.
- Pre-assessment. Ask a bank, or a regulated credit broker, for a preliminary assessment before you start your property search. It makes you a stronger buyer.
- Document collection. You'll need ID, codice fiscale, proof of income, bank statements and tax returns. Documents may need certified translations into Italian.
- Application and valuation. The bank reviews your file and commissions a property valuation (perizia). Compare offers on rate, fees and conditions, not just the headline rate.
- Signing at the notary. Once approved, the mortgage is signed in front of a notary, usually together with the purchase deed.
Fixed or Variable Rate?
Italian banks offer fixed, variable and mixed-rate mortgages. Fixed rates give certainty on payments for the whole term; variable rates follow the Euribor index. Read our comparison of fixed vs variable rate mortgages.
Secure an Italian Mortgage with Confidence
Getting a mortgage in Italy as a non-resident is possible and, with good preparation, straightforward. Know your budget, prepare your documents early and compare more than one offer.
