Buying Property in Marche, Italy: Legal Guide 2026

Last updated: July 2026

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Italian property law is complex and jurisdiction-specific. FrankVest strongly recommends engaging a qualified Italian notaio and a licensed commercialista before entering into any transaction. Information is accurate as of July 2026 but is subject to legislative change.

Why Marche Is Attracting Foreign Capital in 2026
Legal Capacity and Reciprocity Requirements for Foreign Buyers
The Italian Property Purchase Process: From Proposta to Rogito
Due Diligence Specific to Marche: Planning, Seismic Risk, and Rural Land
Taxes on Acquisition: Registration Tax, VAT, and Cadastral Charges
Ongoing Property Taxes: IMU, TARI, and IVIE for Non-Residents
Capital Gains Tax on Disposal
Frequently Asked Questions

Foreign investors buying property in Marche, Italy are discovering one of Europe’s most undervalued real estate markets. Marche sits quietly between the Apennine mountains and the Adriatic coast, and for that reason it has long been overlooked by international investors who gravitated toward Tuscany, Umbria, or Puglia. That dynamic is shifting. Since the 2016 earthquake that severely affected the inland provinces of Macerata and Ascoli Piceno, sustained public investment in reconstruction and seismic upgrading, combined with historically low entry prices, has repositioned central Marche as one of Italy’s most compelling value plays. Coastal towns such as Pesaro, Senigallia, and Porto San Giorgio attract a younger, wealthier domestic and European demographic, while the hilltop towns of the interior — Urbino, Macerata, Fermo — offer a cultural depth that rivals Florence at a fraction of the cost.

For foreign investors, Marche presents a full-spectrum opportunity: primary residences, holiday homes, agriturismo conversions, rural masserie, and small hospitality businesses. Entry prices for habitable farmhouses with land remain between €80,000 and €250,000 in the interior provinces, with coastal renovated apartments trading at €2,500–€4,500 per square metre. This pricing gap relative to comparable Tuscan and Umbrian stock is narrowing, which is precisely why transactional volume from non-Italian buyers has increased measurably since 2023.

This guide provides the legal architecture foreign investors need before committing capital. It covers acquisition procedure, mandatory due diligence, tax exposure at every stage, structuring options, and the practical hazards that legal teams at FrankVest consistently encounter when acting for clients in this region.

1. Why Marche Is Attracting Foreign Property Investment in 2026

Marche’s investment case rests on three structural factors. First, post-earthquake reconstruction under the framework established by D.L. 189/2016 (converted into Law 229/2016) has unlocked substantial public grants and tax credits for owners willing to undertake seismic upgrading on properties in the so-called “crater” municipalities. Eligible works can attract contributions of up to 100% of reconstruction costs through the Agenzia per la Coesione Territoriale mechanism, provided the owner meets residency and documentation requirements. Foreign buyers are not automatically excluded, but the bureaucratic process requires competent local legal representation.

Second, Marche benefits from EU Cohesion Fund allocations for the 2021–2027 programming period targeting rural development, agriturismo infrastructure, and digital connectivity. Properties used for agriturismo or rural tourism can attract co-financed grants under the Regional Rural Development Programme (PSR Marche 2023–2027), administered through ASSAM (Agenzia Servizi Settore Agroalimentare delle Marche).

Third, the region has no single dominant market that distorts pricing the way Florence does in Tuscany. Investors willing to conduct methodical due diligence can still identify undervalued assets.

2. Legal Capacity and Reciprocity Requirements for Foreign Buyers

Italy’s acquisition framework for non-EU nationals is governed primarily by Article 16 of the Preliminary Provisions of the Civil Code (Disposizioni sulla Legge in Generale, premesse al Codice Civile), which establishes the principle of reciprocity: a foreign national may acquire property in Italy only if Italian nationals enjoy equivalent rights in the buyer’s country of nationality.

In practice, the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale maintains a periodically updated list of countries for which reciprocity is confirmed. Citizens of EU and EEA member states face no restriction. US, UK, Australian, Canadian, and most OECD-country nationals currently benefit from confirmed reciprocity. Nationals of certain countries — including some Gulf states and a small number of African nations — require case-by-case verification through the Italian consular network before proceeding.

All foreign buyers must obtain a codice fiscale (Italian tax identification number) from the Agenzia delle Entrate or any Italian consulate abroad. This is a prerequisite for every stage of the transaction. Non-EU buyers who intend to take up residency must separately address visa status, which does not affect the right to purchase but determines the applicable tax treatment of the property.

3. The Italian Property Purchase Process: From Proposta to Rogito

The standard Italian acquisition sequence has three stages:

Proposta di acquisto (Letter of Intent/Offer): A preliminary offer, typically accompanied by a deposit of 1–3% of the purchase price. This is binding on the offeror once accepted and triggers estate agent commission obligations under Law 39/1989. Foreign investors should not sign any proposta without prior legal review.

Compromesso (Preliminary Contract, or Contratto Preliminare): Governed by Article 1351 of the Civil Code and Article 2645-bis of the Civil Code (which mandates transcription for preliminary contracts having as their object the conclusion of contracts transferring or constituting real rights over immovable property). The compromesso fixes price, assets, conditions precedent, and completion timeline. A deposit — typically caparra confirmatoria under Article 1385 of the Civil Code — of 10–30% is paid. If the buyer withdraws without justification, the deposit is forfeited; if the seller defaults, the buyer receives double the deposit. Transcription of the compromesso at the local Conservatoria dei Registri Immobiliari is highly advisable and protects the buyer against subsequent encumbrances registered against the property before completion.

Rogito (Final Deed of Sale): Executed before a notaio, who is legally a public official and whose function is distinct from the parties’ legal advisors. The notaio verifies title, checks for mortgages and judicial encumbrances (ispezione ipotecaria), ensures cadastral conformity, and registers the transfer. The notaio’s fee is no longer regulated by a fixed tariff following the liberalisation under D.L. 1/2012 (converted into Law 27/2012), but in practice typically ranges from 1–2.5% of the declared transaction value. Foreign buyers should appoint an independent avvocato or consulente in addition to — not instead of — the notaio.

4. Due Diligence Specific to Marche: Planning, Seismic Risk, and Rural Land

Marche’s particular geography creates due diligence requirements that go beyond the standard Italian checklist.

Seismic classification: Under the Ordinanza del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri (O.P.C.M.) 3274/2003 and the updated National Seismic Map (Mappa di Pericolosità Sismica) approved by D.M. 14/01/2008 (Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni), virtually all of inland Marche falls within seismic zones 2 and 2A. Any structural intervention on a building in these zones requires prior authorisation from the Genio Civile (Regional Civil Engineering Office) under D.P.R. 380/2001 (the Consolidated Building Code, Testo Unico Edilizia), Articles 93–94. Failure to obtain this authorisation renders works technically abusive and can block future sale or rental.

Planning conformity (conformità urbanistica e catastale): The notaio is obliged under Article 29, paragraph 1-bis, Law 52/1985 (as amended by Law 122/2010) to verify that cadastral data matches the actual state of the property. However, in rural Marche, informal extensions, barn conversions, and outbuildings built without permits are common. A technical survey (perizia tecnica) by a geometra or ingegnere is essential before signing the compromesso.

Agricultural land pre-emption rights (diritto di prelazione agraria): Under Law 590/1965 and Law 817/1971, neighbouring farmers and tenants holding affitto agrario (agricultural lease) contracts hold a right of first refusal over agricultural land. If the property includes land designated as agricolo in the PGT or PRG (Piano Regolatore Generale) of the relevant Comune, the vendor must formally notify adjacent landowners and qualifying tenants before sale pursuant to Article 8 of Law 590/1965. Failure to comply allows a prelation action within one year of the transfer under Article 8, paragraph 5, Law 590/1965. This is one of the most frequently missed issues in rural Marche transactions.

5. Taxes on Buying Property in Italy: Registration Tax, VAT, and Cadastral Charges

Tax on acquisition is determined primarily by whether the seller is a private individual or a VAT-registered entity (impresa costruttrice), and whether the buyer qualifies for agevolazioni prima casa (first home reliefs) under Note II-bis to Article 1 of the Tariffa, Parte Prima, attached to D.P.R. 131/1986 (the Testo Unico dell’Imposta di Registro).

Standard rates (private seller, non-first home):

Registration tax (imposta di registro): 9% of the cadastral value (valore catastale), pursuant to Article 1 of the Tariffa, Parte Prima, D.P.R. 131/1986
Cadastral tax (imposta catastale): €50 fixed, pursuant to Article 10, D.Lgs. 347/1990
Mortgage tax (imposta ipotecaria): €50 fixed, pursuant to Article 4, D.Lgs. 347/1990

First home relief (prima casa):

Registration tax: 2% of cadastral value
Cadastral and mortgage taxes: €50 each (fixed)
Requires the buyer to establish Italian residency within 18 months of the deed, or to already be resident in the municipality of the property, pursuant to Note II-bis, paragraph 1, letter a), Tariffa, Parte Prima, D.P.R. 131/1986

Developer sale (VAT-applicable):

VAT at 10% on residential units not classified as luxury (22% for luxury properties classified in cadastral categories A/1, A/8, A/9), pursuant to Article 10, paragraph 1, number 8-bis), D.P.R. 633/1972
Registration, cadastral, and mortgage taxes at €200 each (fixed), pursuant to Article 40 D.P.R. 131/1986 and D.Lgs. 347/1990

Foreign buyers frequently overestimate the tax burden because they apply purchase price rather than cadastral value as the tax base. For older rural properties in Marche, the cadastral value can be as low as 20–35% of market price.

6. Ongoing Property Taxes in Italy: IMU, TARI, and IVIE for Non-Residents

IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica): Governed by Article 1, paragraphs 739–783, Law 160/2019 (Legge di Bilancio 2020), IMU is levied annually on all real property other than the owner’s main residence (abitazione principale). Non-resident foreign owners pay IMU on all Italian-held property. The standard base rate is 0.86% of the revalued cadastral value (rendita catastale × 1.05 × the relevant multiplier, which is 160 for residential property classified in cadastral groups A, C/2, C/6, and C/7, excluding A/10). Municipal authorities in Marche can adjust rates within a band of 0%–1.06% pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 754, Law 160/2019. Since 2021, foreign nationals who are pensioners resident in a country with a bilateral social security agreement with Italy benefit from a 50% IMU reduction on one Italian property used as a secondary residence, under Article 1, paragraph 48, Law 178/2020 (Legge di Bilancio 2021).

TARI: The waste collection tax is governed by Article 1, paragraphs 641–668, Law 147/2013 (Legge di Stabilità 2014) and is set by each municipality. It is generally €150–€600 per year for a residential property, depending on size and local tariffs.

IVIE (Imposta sul Valore degli Immobili all’Estero): Governed by Article 19, paragraphs 13–17, D.L. 201/2011 (converted into Law 214/2011), IVIE is relevant only if the investor is Italian tax resident and holds property outside Italy. It does not apply to a non-resident holding Italian property. Conversely, Italian-resident investors (including those on the €200,000 flat tax regime under Article 24-bis TUIR, as amended by Article 1, paragraph 152, Law 197/2022) owe IMU but not IVIE on Italian assets.

7. Capital Gains Tax on Disposal

Under Article 67, paragraph 1, letter b), TUIR (D.P.R. 917/1986), gains on the sale of Italian real property held for less than five years are taxable as “redditi diversi” (miscellaneous income). The gain is calculated as the difference between the sale price and the original purchase price, increased by documented costs of acquisition and improvement pursuant to Article 68, paragraph 1, TUIR.

Tax rates:

Substitutive tax (imposta sostitutiva) at a flat rate of 26%, elected at the time of the rogito before the notaio pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 496, Law 266/2005, as amended by Article 1, paragraph 91, Law 197/2022. This is the standard election for most non-resident sellers.
Alternatively, the gain is included in ordinary IRPEF progressive rates under Articles 11 and 67 TUIR if the seller is Italian tax resident and the substitutive election is not made.

Properties held for more than five years are exempt from capital gains tax under Article 67, paragraph 1, letter b), TUIR, with the exception of properties received by inheritance (always exempt regardless of holding period) and properties on which the superbonus under Article 119 D.L. 34/2020 has been claimed, which are subject to a 26% capital gains charge on disposal within ten years of completion of works pursuant to Article 1, paragraph 64, Law 197/2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreign nationals legally buy property in Marche, Italy? Yes. Acquisition by non-EU nationals is governed by Article 16 of the Preliminary Provisions of the Civil Code, which applies the principle of reciprocity: a foreign national may buy in Italy if Italian nationals enjoy equivalent rights in the buyer’s country. Citizens of EU and EEA states face no restriction, and US, UK, Australian, Canadian, and most OECD nationals currently benefit from confirmed reciprocity. Nationals of certain other countries require case-by-case verification through the Italian consular network. Every foreign buyer must first obtain a codice fiscale (Italian tax identification number).

What are the stages of buying property in Marche, and what protects my deposit? The purchase follows three stages: the proposta di acquisto (a binding offer once accepted, usually with a 1–3% deposit), the compromesso or preliminary contract under Article 1351 of the Civil Code (which fixes price and terms and normally carries a caparra confirmatoria of 10–30% under Article 1385), and the rogito, the final deed executed before a notaio. If the buyer withdraws without justification the caparra is forfeited; if the seller defaults the buyer is entitled to double the deposit. Transcribing the compromesso at the local Conservatoria dei Registri Immobiliari, as permitted for preliminary contracts under Article 2645-bis of the Civil Code, protects the buyer against encumbrances registered before completion.

What taxes will I pay when buying a property in Marche? For a purchase from a private seller that is not a first home, registration tax is 9% of the cadastral value under D.P.R. 131/1986, with fixed cadastral and mortgage taxes of €50 each. First-home (prima casa) relief reduces registration tax to 2%, subject to establishing Italian residency in the municipality within 18 months. Where the seller is a VAT-registered developer, VAT applies at 10% (22% for luxury categories A/1, A/8, A/9) with fixed registration, cadastral, and mortgage taxes. Note that the tax base is the cadastral value, not the purchase price — for older rural Marche properties this can be as low as 20–35% of market value.

What due diligence is specific to buying rural or hill-town property in Marche? Marche’s geography adds requirements beyond the standard Italian checklist. Most of inland Marche sits in seismic zones 2 and 2A, so any structural intervention needs prior authorisation from the Genio Civile under Articles 93–94 of D.P.R. 380/2001; unauthorised works are technically abusive and can block a future sale. The notaio must verify that cadastral data matches the property’s actual state, but informal extensions and unpermitted outbuildings are common in the interior, so a technical survey (perizia tecnica) before the compromesso is essential. Where the property includes agricultural land, neighbouring farmers and qualifying tenants hold a pre-emption right under Article 8 of Law 590/1965 and Law 817/1971, and failure to notify them can support a prelation action within one year of transfer.

Do non-resident foreign owners pay ongoing property taxes in Marche? Yes. Non-resident owners pay IMU under Law 160/2019 on all Italian-held property other than a main residence, at a standard base rate of 0.86% of the revalued cadastral value, which municipalities in Marche can adjust within a 0%–1.06% band. Pensioners resident in a country with a bilateral social security agreement with Italy may qualify for a 50% IMU reduction on one secondary-residence property. Owners also pay TARI, the municipal waste tax, typically €150–€600 per year. IVIE does not apply to a non-resident holding Italian property, as it concerns Italian tax residents who own real estate abroad.

Will I pay capital gains tax when I sell a property in Marche? It depends on how long you have held it. Under Article 67, paragraph 1, letter b), TUIR, a gain on a property sold within five years of acquisition is taxable as miscellaneous income, calculated as the sale price less the purchase price and documented acquisition and improvement costs. Non-resident sellers can elect a flat substitutive tax of 26% at the rogito before the notaio. Properties held for more than five years are exempt, as are inherited properties regardless of holding period, though a property on which the superbonus was claimed can attract a 26% charge on disposal within ten years of the works.

Sources and further reading (statutory references verified against the consolidated Italian legislation database):

Reviewed by

Avv. Francesco L. Costi

Member of the Italian Bar — Ordine degli Avvocati di Cassino

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This article is part of our guide to buying property in Italy by region.

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Buying Property in Marche, Italy: Legal Guide for Foreign Investors 2026

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