International schools are well established across Italy's major cities, making expat family life genuinely workable for families relocating from abroad. Milan leads in breadth of provision, with a strong variety of schools offering education across multiple languages and curricula, reflecting the city's deeply international character. Rome similarly serves families from across the globe, with institutions...
Purchasing property in Italy as a non-EU citizen does not automatically grant the right to live there full-time. Property ownership and residency are entirely separate legal matters. To reside in Italy long-term, you must obtain the appropriate visa and residency permit, such as the Elective Residency Visa for those with passive income, or qualify under another visa category. At Trevi Elite we offer full...
Italy's hospitality sector is in a sustained growth phase, with the country consolidating a leading position in global luxury tourism as 2026 unfolds. Improved debt market conditions and resilient equity markets are supporting strong investor confidence, particularly in Rome and Milan. Growth is driven primarily by repositioning existing properties and converting historic buildings rather than new...
Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice remain the most compelling regions in Italy for hospitality investment, anchoring demand across all market cycles. According to Il Sole 24 Ore, Milan leads continental interest with a very high level of investor confidence, while Rome follows closely as a perennial draw for luxury hotel capital. Beyond the major cities, Lake Como, Lake Garda, Tuscany, and Umbria are...
A property finder service works exclusively for the buyer, not the seller, sourcing suitable properties, managing negotiations, and guiding the purchase from search through to completion. The agent's sole obligation is to the client's interests, with access to both listed and off-market opportunities that a buyer searching independently would never reach. At Trevi Elite we operate on this model: no...
Trevi Elite provides comprehensive post-purchase property management specifically designed for non-resident homeowners who want confidence, control, and convenience without being physically present in Italy. The service covers the full range of ownership responsibilities that international buyers typically find difficult to manage remotely. Our team structures post-sale support around the practical...
Trevi Elite has been operating in Rome since 2006, giving the agency nearly two decades of experience in the Italian luxury property market. The commercial division followed in 2010, broadening the agency's reach across both residential and investment-grade assets. That foundation matters when navigating a market as nuanced as Rome's, where off-market access, trusted notaio relationships, and multilingual...
Real estate agency commission rates in Italy typically range from 2% to 5% of the property price, plus 22% VAT. The percentage often depends on property type, location, and the complexity of the transaction, with rates in Rome and Milan often reaching the upper end of this range for premium properties. At Trevi Elite, commission structures are always clarified in writing before signing any agreement,...
IMU is Italy's annual municipal property tax on real estate, and yes, foreign property owners are required to pay it regardless of residency status. The tax is typically paid in two instalments, with the first due in June and the second in December if applicable. Missing a payment can result in fines. Properties classified as primary residences may qualify for exemptions or...
The difference between prima casa and seconda casa tax rates is substantial: primary residences are taxed at 2% of cadastral value, while second homes are taxed at 9% of cadastral value. This nearly five-fold difference makes establishing primary residence status critical for international buyers looking to minimize acquisition costs in Italy. However there are some cases when the tax benefit cannot be...