Our Services
Legal Advisory for Italian Investments
Full legal support from initial consultation through closing — for every asset class we cover. Each engagement is structured around the investor's objectives, with independent legal counsel at every stage.
01
Buying Property: Legal Assistance
Residential, commercial, and historic properties across Italy. We provide complete legal support for every stage of the acquisition: from initial sourcing assessment and due diligence, through contract negotiation, fiscal structuring, and regulatory compliance, to closing and post-closing formalities.
Italian real estate transactions follow a distinctive process — typically involving a preliminary agreement (compromesso) with a binding deposit, followed by the final notarial deed (rogito). Each step carries specific legal obligations and deadlines that require careful management, particularly for foreign buyers unfamiliar with Italian conveyancing practice.
What We Cover
- — Legal and technical due diligence — title verification, cadastral analysis, planning compliance, building permits review
- — Contract drafting and negotiation — preliminary agreements, purchase offers, conditions precedent
- — Fiscal structuring and tax optimization — coordinating with Italian and cross-border tax advisers
- — Closing coordination and notarial procedures — notary liaison, power of attorney arrangements, fund transfer oversight
- — Post-acquisition compliance — cadastral registration, utility contracts, rental licensing where applicable
02
Hotels, B&Bs and Agriturismi: Legal Assistance
Hotels, boutique properties, and tourism-driven assets. Italy ranks among the world's top tourism destinations, and hospitality investments benefit from sustained international demand. We handle the full legal complexity — licensing, permits, regulatory compliance, and deal structuring.
Hospitality acquisitions in Italy involve additional layers of complexity beyond standard real estate: tourism operating licenses (SCIA), classification requirements, health and safety compliance, employment law considerations if staff transfers are involved, and potential access to government incentives for renovation and digitalisation of hospitality structures.
What We Cover
- — Hospitality licensing and permits — SCIA filings, classification compliance, health and safety regulations
- — Operational due diligence — revenue analysis, occupancy assessment, staff and contract review
- — Tourism sector regulatory compliance — regional tourism laws, booking platform obligations, tax withholding requirements
- — Deal structuring and negotiation — asset deals vs. share deals, business transfer agreements, non-compete provisions
- — Tax incentives for renovation and upgrades — access to government credits for hospitality modernisation
03
Vineyards and Farmland: Legal Assistance
Vineyards, farmland, olive estates, and agrifood operations. These assets combine brand potential with strong appreciation and export-driven revenue. We manage the legal intricacies of agricultural acquisitions — land rights, environmental compliance, production licensing, and EU agricultural regulations.
Agricultural acquisitions in Italy carry unique legal considerations: pre-emption rights held by neighbouring farmers and agricultural entities (diritto di prelazione agraria), protected designation compliance (DOC, DOCG, DOP, IGP), EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidy transfer procedures, and environmental restrictions on land use changes. Each of these requires specialist legal handling to protect the investor's position.
What We Cover
- — Land rights and agricultural zoning — ownership verification, pre-emption right management, zoning compliance
- — Environmental and production compliance — environmental impact assessments, production licenses, water rights
- — EU agricultural regulations and subsidies — CAP entitlement transfers, rural development funding, organic certification requirements
- — Brand and denomination protection — DOC, DOCG, DOP, IGP compliance, trademark considerations, consortium membership
- — Acquisition structuring and closing — asset vs. share deals, agricultural lease review, workforce transfer considerations
04
Inheritance, Couples and Family Arrangements: Legal Assistance
Some Italian property matters begin with a family event rather than a purchase: an estate that includes a house in Italy, a couple of different nationalities buying a home together, or property held in one person's name on behalf of another. Avv. Francesco L. Costi handles these matters personally, in English or Italian.
What We Cover
- — Inheritance of Italian property by heirs living abroad — succession declaration (dichiarazione di successione), acceptance of the estate, transfer of title to the heirs, sale by the heirs, foreign wills and EU Regulation 650/2012
- — Buying as a couple of different nationalities — which law governs the couple's property, how title is recorded, what the notary will ask
- — Fiduciary agreements on real estate (patto fiduciario)
05
Buying a Business
Acquiring an operating company, a hotel business or an estate rather than bare property: share deal or asset deal, which liabilities and employees pass to the buyer, and the checks to complete before signing.
Buying a business in Italy →Latest Insights
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Buying or moving to Italy?
Talk to the Lawyer
Tell us what you are buying or planning and where. We will tell you which legal checks matter and what happens next.
Or email the lawyer directly: contact@frankvest.it.com
Italian avvocato · Ordine degli Avvocati di Cassino · English & Italian · Remote closing by power of attorney · No commissions from sellers or agents · First call by video · Rome office by appointment only
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal services does FrankVest provide for Italian real estate acquisitions?
FrankVest provides legal due diligence (title searches, planning and building compliance, encumbrance checks), contract drafting and review (preliminary agreement/compromesso through the final notarial deed/rogito notarile), fiscal structuring, and full closing coordination. We also coordinate with notaries, technical surveyors, and tax advisers.
Can FrankVest assist with buying a hotel or boutique property in Italy?
Yes. FrankVest advises on Italian hospitality acquisitions including hotels, B&Bs, agriturismo, and boutique properties. We handle regulatory due diligence (tourism licences, SCIA notifications), operational compliance review, and the legal transaction process from offer through closing.
What is involved in buying a vineyard or agricultural land in Italy?
Acquiring agricultural land in Italy involves specific legal requirements including the right of first refusal (diritto di prelazione agraria) held by neighbouring agricultural operators, environmental compliance checks, land registry verification, and — for wine estates — review of denominazione (DOC/DOCG) rights and agricultural business licences.
Do you assist heirs living abroad and couples of different nationalities?
Yes. Avv. Francesco L. Costi personally handles the inheritance of Italian property by heirs living abroad (succession declaration, acceptance of the estate, transfer of title and sale by the heirs), purchases by couples of different nationalities (which law governs the couple's property and how title is recorded), and fiduciary agreements on real estate (patto fiduciario).
How long does due diligence typically take?
For a standard residential property, due diligence typically takes 2-4 weeks. Commercial properties and hospitality assets require 4-8 weeks due to additional operational, licensing, and regulatory checks. Agricultural acquisitions may take 6-10 weeks when pre-emption rights, environmental assessments, and CAP subsidy transfers are involved.
Can FrankVest help me find properties to invest in?
FrankVest is a legal advisory, not a property finder or broker. However, we can assess properties you have identified and suggest independent local professionals (surveyors, agents) where useful. Our role begins with the legal and fiscal evaluation of a target asset. If we suggest an agent or surveyor, we receive nothing from them: no referral fees, no commissions.
Do you handle post-acquisition management?
Our advisory covers through to post-closing regulatory compliance — cadastral registration, utility transfers, rental licensing, and initial regulatory filings. For ongoing property management, rental operations, or accounting, we can refer you to qualified professionals in our network.
What are the typical costs of your advisory services?
Fees depend on the complexity and scope of the engagement. The first contact is an introductory video call, for which no fee is charged. After that call, once we understand your investment objectives and the asset involved, we send you a written fee proposal. It sets out the work to be done, the fee and every cost item, including expenses, charges and contributions. No work starts until you have accepted it. There are no commissions linked to the value of the transaction, and FrankVest receives no compensation from sellers or agents.