Buying property in Italy does not automatically grant you residency. Ownership gives you the legal right to purchase and hold real estate, and as a non-resident you can enjoy extended stays and engage with Italian life, but formal residency requires a separate application process through Italian immigration channels. To establish residency, buyers typically pursue routes such as the Elective Residency Visa or, for those with significant global income, Italy’s flat tax regime, currently set at €300,000 annually for new applicants. We advise clients to align their property purchase with whichever residency pathway suits their circumstances before signing.