Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Italy Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Milan's property market is included in our pack
Milan is one of Europe's most dynamic real estate markets, but it also comes with specific risks that catch foreign buyers off guard.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest regulations, scam patterns, and insider knowledge about buying property in Milan.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to protect yourself and make a smart purchase in this competitive Italian city.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Milan.
How risky is buying property in Milan as a foreigner in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own properties in Milan in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners can legally own residential property in Milan, though the process depends heavily on your nationality and whether Italy has a reciprocity agreement with your home country.
For EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens, there are typically no restrictions when buying property in Milan, but non-EU buyers must prove that Italians can buy property in their home country under the reciprocity principle that Italian notaries verify during the transaction.
Direct ownership is the standard approach in Milan for most foreign buyers, so special legal structures like companies are rarely necessary for residential purchases unless you have specific tax planning needs.
The real challenges for foreigners buying in Milan are not legal bans but rather process traps like rushed deposits, unclear renovation permits, and hidden building fees that catch newcomers off guard.
What buyer rights do foreigners actually have in Milan in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreign buyers in Milan have the same legal ownership rights as Italian citizens once the deed is completed at the notary's office.
If a seller breaches a contract in Milan, foreigners can legally enforce their rights through Italian courts, which means pursuing damages or forcing the sale to complete, though this process can take years given Italy's court backlogs.
The most common mistaken assumption is that the preliminary contract (called the "compromesso" in Milan) is just a casual reservation, when in reality it is a binding legal commitment that obligates both parties and can result in losing your deposit if you back out.
How strong is contract enforcement in Milan right now?
Contract enforcement for real estate transactions in Milan is legally solid on paper, but the practical reality is that Italian courts are significantly slower than those in Germany, France, or the UK, with first-instance civil cases taking around 540 days on average according to EU benchmarks.
The main weakness foreigners should know about in Milan is that if something goes wrong with your purchase, recovering your money or forcing a resolution through courts can take years rather than months, which means prevention is far more valuable than legal remedies.
By the way, we detail all the documents you need and what they mean in our property pack covering Milan.
Buying real estate in Milan can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Which scams target foreign buyers in Milan right now?
Are scams against foreigners common in Milan right now?
Real estate scams targeting foreigners in Milan are common enough that you should behave as if you will be targeted, especially if you search for properties in English or communicate primarily through WhatsApp with agents you have not verified.
The type of transaction most frequently targeted by scammers in Milan is the early-stage "reservation" or deposit payment, where pressure to act fast creates opportunities for fraud before proper checks are completed.
The profile most commonly targeted is the foreign buyer who is unfamiliar with Italian procedures, in a hurry to secure an apartment, and willing to pay deposits remotely without visiting the property or verifying the seller.
The single biggest warning sign of a scam in Milan is when an agent or seller pressures you to pay money before you have verified ownership in the official public registers and had a notary review the documents.
What are the top three scams foreigners face in Milan right now?
The top three scams targeting foreigners buying property in Milan are the "deposit hook" where you sign a binding contract thinking it is just a reservation, the fake seller or unregistered agent scam where the person taking your money has no legal right to do so, and the illegal renovation scam where a beautifully remodeled apartment hides unpermitted work that becomes your problem.
The most common scam unfolds when a convincing agent shows you a great apartment, creates urgency by mentioning other interested buyers, gets you to sign a "proposta" or "preliminare" with a substantial deposit, and then you discover the seller does not actually own the property or the agent is not properly registered.
To protect yourself from each scam in Milan, you should never pay any money until your notary has verified ownership in the public mortgage registry, always check the agent's registration with the Milan Chamber of Commerce before working with them, and always hire a technical professional to verify that renovations match official permits and cadastral records.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Italy versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How do I verify the seller and ownership in Milan without getting fooled?
How do I confirm the seller is the real owner in Milan?
The standard verification process in Milan involves running an "ispezione ipotecaria" through the Agenzia delle Entrate system, which searches the public real estate registers to confirm who legally owns the property and whether there are any recorded claims against it.
The official document foreigners should check is the "visura ipotecaria" from the Conservatoria dei Registri Immobiliari, which shows the chain of ownership and all recorded acts like sales, inheritances, and donations affecting the property.
The most common trick fake sellers use in Milan is presenting convincing copies of ownership documents while relying on the buyer not to independently verify in the public registers, which is unfortunately a common enough occurrence that you should treat document verification as mandatory rather than optional.
Where do I check liens or mortgages on a property in Milan?
The official registry where you check liens or mortgages on a property in Milan is the Servizi di Pubblicità Immobiliare, accessed through the Agenzia delle Entrate system, which records all mortgages, judicial seizures, and legal claims against properties.
When checking for liens in Milan, you should specifically request a complete "ispezione ipotecaria" that shows the full history of recorded acts, including any current mortgages and their amounts, pending seizures, and judicial annotations that could block a sale.
The type of encumbrance most commonly missed by foreign buyers in Milan is outstanding "spese condominiali" or building management fees and special assessments, which do not appear in the mortgage registry but can transfer to the new owner if not settled before closing.
It's one of the aspects we cover in our our pack about the real estate market in Milan.
How do I spot forged documents in Milan right now?
The most common type of forged document in Milan property scams is a fake "visura catastale" or cadastral certificate showing incorrect ownership information, which sometimes happens when dealing with unverified agents or private sellers outside proper channels.
Specific red flags that indicate a document may be forged in Milan include inconsistent formatting compared to official Agenzia delle Entrate documents, mismatched cadastral references, dates that do not align with claimed transaction histories, and any resistance from the seller to letting your notary verify directly in the public systems.
The official verification method you should use in Milan is to have your notary or a qualified technician run independent checks directly through the Agenzia delle Entrate portals rather than relying on documents provided by the seller or agent.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Milan
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What "grey-area" practices should I watch for in Milan?
What hidden costs surprise foreigners when buying a property in Milan?
The three most common hidden costs that foreigners overlook in Milan are outstanding condominium fees and special assessments for building works (which can reach 10,000 to 50,000 euros or 11,000 to 55,000 USD for major facade or elevator projects), registration and stamp taxes that vary based on buyer status and seller type (typically 2% to 9% of cadastral value), and energy efficiency upgrade costs for older buildings with poor energy ratings.
The hidden cost most often deliberately concealed by sellers or agents in Milan is pending "lavori straordinari" or extraordinary building works that have been voted on but not yet invoiced, which commonly happens because agents want to close deals before buyers learn about upcoming five-figure assessments.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Milan.
Are "cash under the table" requests common in Milan right now?
Cash under the table requests in Milan property transactions have become less common than in the past due to strict anti-money laundering enforcement, but you will still occasionally encounter sellers who suggest a "discount" if part of the payment is made off the books.
The typical reason sellers give in Milan for requesting undeclared cash is to reduce their capital gains tax liability, often framed as a "win-win" that lets them offer you a lower price while they avoid declaring the full sale amount.
If you agree to an undeclared cash payment in Milan, you face serious legal risks including tax evasion charges, loss of legal protection if disputes arise about the true purchase price, potential money laundering implications, and difficulty proving your investment if you later need to sell or remortgage.
Are side agreements used to bypass rules in Milan right now?
Side agreements to bypass official rules in Milan property transactions sometimes happen, particularly around furniture valuations, informal promises about completing regularization of unpermitted works, and timing arrangements that keep certain conditions off the main contract.
The most common type of side agreement in Milan is an inflated "furniture and fixtures" valuation that reduces the declared property price for tax purposes, or informal written promises about renovations or repairs that are kept separate from the notarized deed.
If a side agreement is discovered by Italian authorities, foreigners face consequences including tax reassessment with penalties and interest, potential invalidation of tax benefits like "prima casa" incentives, and the risk that informal promises have no legal enforcement value if the other party does not honor them.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Italy compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Can I trust real estate agents in Milan in 2026?
Are real estate agents regulated in Milan in 2026?
As of early 2026, real estate agents in Milan are regulated under national Law 39/1989, which requires them to pass an exam, register with the Chamber of Commerce, and meet professional standards before they can legally broker property transactions.
A legitimate real estate agent in Milan should have official registration as an "agente di affari in mediazione" with the local Chamber of Commerce (CCIAA Milano Monza Brianza Lodi), along with a registration number that you can verify.
To verify whether an agent is properly licensed in Milan, you can check the Registro Imprese database or contact the Milan Chamber of Commerce directly, and any agent who resists providing their registration details should be treated as a major red flag.
Please note that we have a list of contacts for you in our property pack about Milan.
What agent fee percentage is normal in Milan in 2026?
As of early 2026, the normal agent fee percentage in Milan is around 3% of the purchase price plus VAT (called IVA in Italy), though this can vary based on the property value and agency brand.
The typical range covering most transactions in Milan is between 2% and 4% plus VAT, with higher-end properties and established agencies often commanding fees at the upper end while more competitive situations or direct negotiations might result in lower percentages.
In Milan, both the buyer and seller typically pay separate commission fees to the agent, which is different from some countries where only one party pays, so you should budget for this cost even though you are the buyer.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Milan
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What due diligence actually prevents disasters in Milan?
What structural inspection is standard in Milan right now?
The standard structural inspection process for apartments in Milan involves hiring a technical professional who examines the physical condition of the unit, checks for moisture and damage, and crucially verifies that the actual layout matches what is recorded in official permits and cadastral plans.
A qualified inspector in Milan should check moisture levels in walls and ceilings, the condition of terraces and balconies, electrical and plumbing systems, window and door integrity, and most importantly whether any visible renovations were done with proper permits.
The professionals qualified to perform structural inspections in Milan are "geometri" (surveyors), engineers ("ingegneri"), or architects ("architetti"), all of whom are licensed and can provide formal technical reports.
The most common structural issues revealed in Milan properties are moisture problems in older buildings, terrace waterproofing failures, and unpermitted renovations that changed room layouts without updating the cadastral records or obtaining building permits.
How do I confirm exact boundaries in Milan?
The standard process for confirming property boundaries in Milan apartments involves obtaining the "planimetria catastale" from the Catasto, which shows the official floor plan and comparing it to the actual physical layout during an on-site inspection.
The official document showing legal boundaries of a property in Milan is the cadastral plan ("planimetria catastale") filed with Agenzia delle Entrate, which defines the unit's perimeter and internal layout as legally recorded.
The most common boundary dispute affecting foreign buyers in Milan involves confusion about what is private versus common condominium space, particularly regarding cellars ("cantine"), parking spots, or portions of terraces that may or may not be exclusively attached to the unit.
To physically verify boundaries in Milan, you should hire a "geometra" or surveyor who can compare the cadastral documents to the actual property and identify any discrepancies before you commit to the purchase.
What defects are commonly hidden in Milan right now?
The top three defects that sellers commonly conceal in Milan are humidity and mold problems (especially in semi-basements and older buildings), unpermitted renovation work that does not match official records (very common in Milan's older housing stock), and upcoming expensive condominium works like facade restorations or elevator replacements that have been voted on but not disclosed to buyers.
The inspection techniques that help uncover hidden defects in Milan include using moisture meters to detect dampness behind fresh paint, requesting the last two years of condominium meeting minutes ("verbali di assemblea") to learn about planned works and building issues, and having a technician compare the physical apartment to the filed cadastral plan to spot unpermitted changes.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Italy. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
What insider lessons do foreigners share after buying in Milan?
What do foreigners say they did wrong in Milan right now?
The most common mistake foreigners say they made when buying property in Milan was moving too fast to "win" the apartment without completing proper verification of ownership, permits, and building status first.
The top three regrets foreigners most frequently mention after buying in Milan are paying a deposit before their notary checked the public registers, trusting that a beautiful renovation meant the work was properly permitted, and not requesting condominium meeting minutes to learn about upcoming building expenses.
The single piece of advice experienced foreign buyers most often give to newcomers in Milan is to never pay any money until you have independently verified everything through official channels, even if the agent says other buyers are waiting.
The mistake that cost foreigners the most money and stress in Milan was discovering after purchase that renovations were not properly permitted, which forced them into expensive and time-consuming regularization processes or reduced their resale value.
What do locals do differently when buying in Milan right now?
The key difference in how locals approach buying property in Milan is that they anchor their price expectations to official OMI zone valuations from Agenzia delle Entrate rather than relying on asking prices, which helps them spot overpriced listings and "too cheap to be true" scams immediately.
The verification step locals routinely take in Milan that foreigners often skip is reviewing the last two years of condominium assembly minutes ("verbali di assemblea condominiale") to learn about planned building works, disputes with neighbors, and the financial health of the building fund before making an offer.
The local knowledge advantage that helps Milanese buyers get better deals is understanding which neighborhoods are genuinely improving versus being hyped, knowing the real trade-offs of areas like Brera (prestige but strict heritage rules), Navigli (lifestyle but noise and short-term rental pressure), Porta Romana (strong demand but renovation-heavy older stock), NoLo (rapid change but variable building quality), and CityLife (modern builds but high management costs).
Don't buy the wrong property, in the wrong area of Milan
Buying real estate is a significant investment. Don't rely solely on your intuition. Gather the right information to make the best decision.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Milan, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| Agenzia delle Entrate OMI | Official Italian tax agency real estate data unit | We used OMI as our baseline for Milan price ranges and market structure. We also referenced it to explain credible price benchmarks in Italy. |
| Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato | Official Italian notary council legal guidance | We used their explanations of preliminary contracts and buyer obligations. We referenced their foreigner services guidance throughout. |
| Normattiva (Italian Legislation) | Official portal for Italian law texts | We used Law 39/1989 to explain agent regulation requirements. We also referenced Decree 122/2005 for new-build buyer protections. |
| CCIAA Milano Monza Brianza Lodi | Milan area Chamber of Commerce oversight authority | We used their registry to explain how to verify agent legitimacy in Milan. We referenced their oversight commission for complaint procedures. |
| Banca d'Italia Housing Survey | Italian central bank structured market research | We used Q3 2025 survey data for market conditions like time-to-sell and discounts. We referenced it as a counterweight to anecdotal market narratives. |
| EU Justice Scoreboard | Official EU comparative justice efficiency data | We used their court duration metrics to quantify dispute resolution times in Italy. We compared Italy to other EU countries for context. |
| CEPEJ (Council of Europe) | Official European judiciary efficiency body | We used CEPEJ evaluations to support Justice Scoreboard findings. We referenced their methodology for court efficiency comparisons. |
| Lombardy Region CENED | Regional authority for energy certification in Milan | We used CENED to explain energy certificate verification in Lombardy. We referenced it for understanding building efficiency requirements. |
| Registro Imprese | Official national company registration portal | We used it to explain how buyers can verify agency and company legitimacy. We referenced it as a key tool against fake agent scams. |
| World Justice Project | Global rule of law benchmark using surveys and expert input | We used Italy's ranking to provide context on legal predictability. We referenced it as a high-level signal for enforcement reliability. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Italy. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Related blog posts