Yes, New Zealanders can often buy property in Italy, but eligibility should be confirmed first. Italy applies reciprocity to non-EU buyers, and since 2018 New Zealand has restricted most overseas people from buying homes in New Zealand. That is New Zealand’s own rule, and it is separate from Australia’s foreign-buyer ban. Confirm your position with the Italian notary before signing an offer or paying a deposit.
Govoni Law is an independent Italian law firm that acts only for buyers. We help New Zealand clients confirm they can buy the specific property, then review the property, the documents and the contract before they sign or transfer money. Our advice is written, in English, and designed to work across a twelve-hour time difference.
For a New Zealand buyer, the question is not Australia’s rules. It is New Zealand’s.
A common confusion: New Zealand and Australia’s ban
You may have read that New Zealand citizens are exempt from Australia’s ban on foreigners buying established homes. That is true, but it only concerns New Zealanders buying in Australia. It has no bearing on buying in Italy.
For Italy, what matters is whether an Italian citizen could buy a comparable property in New Zealand. That brings New Zealand’s own rules into play.
What New Zealand’s rules say
Under New Zealand’s overseas investment rules, as described by Land Information New Zealand:
- Since 22 October 2018, overseas people usually cannot buy residential or lifestyle property in New Zealand without consent.
- New Zealand citizens, ordinarily resident visa holders, and Australian and Singaporean citizens are treated differently.
- Since 6 March 2026, holders of certain investor visas can apply for consent to buy one home worth more than NZ$5 million.
Unlike Australia’s ban, which is temporary and currently runs until June 2029, New Zealand’s restriction has no end date. An Italian who does not live in New Zealand, and is not on one of the investor visas, generally cannot buy an existing home there.
Why this matters in Italy
Under Italian law, a non-EU citizen can exercise the same civil rights as an Italian on condition of reciprocity, unless a treaty or special rule applies. The notary verifies this for each deed, and may consult the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Reciprocity is not required if you hold a valid Italian residence permit.
Because New Zealand restricts Italians from buying homes there, a New Zealand citizen buying a home in Italy may face a reciprocity question. How each notary assesses it can vary. The safe course is to confirm before you commit.
What you buy and how much it matters
| Your situation | Position | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand citizen only, living outside Italy, buying a home | Reciprocity may be questioned | Confirm with the notary before signing |
| Dual citizen with a recognised EU passport | Reciprocity does not apply | Buy using your EU passport |
| Dual citizen with Australian citizenship | Australia’s own rules then become relevant | Confirm on the basis of the passport you use |
| Living in Italy with a valid residence permit | Reciprocity does not apply | The notary will ask to see the permit |
| Buying through a company | Raises separate legal and tax questions | Never use a company only to avoid the issue |
These are general indications. The notary’s assessment of your case decides.
Dual citizens
Many New Zealanders hold a second passport. If you are also an Italian or other EU citizen, you can buy on that basis, and you should use the same passport in the offer, for the tax code and in the deed. If your Italian citizenship by descent is still being recognised, you are treated as a New Zealand citizen until recognition is complete.
If you also hold Australian citizenship, note that the notary would assess reciprocity on the citizenship you rely on. Australia has its own ban on foreigners buying established homes. See Can Australians Buy Property in Italy?
The clause your offer needs
In Italy, an accepted offer can bind you and put your deposit at risk. If eligibility is unclear, the offer should normally include:
- A condition that the purchase depends on the notary confirming your eligibility.
- A clear rule that the deposit is returned if eligibility is not confirmed.
- The exact identity of the buyer, especially if a dual citizen or a residence permit holder will sign.
For the deposit itself, read Caparra vs Deposit When Buying Property in Italy.
Buying from New Zealand
Most New Zealand buyers complete the purchase from home. Plan for:
- The tax code. You will need a codice fiscale, usually obtained through the Italian consular network. See Getting an Italian Tax Code Before Buying Property.
- A power of attorney. If you will not attend the deed, you can sign a power of attorney before a notary in New Zealand, with an apostille, so that a representative signs in Italy. The Italian notary should approve the draft first.
- The time difference. Italy is 10 to 12 hours behind New Zealand, depending on the season. Written advice keeps the process moving while you sleep.
- Transfers in NZD. Plan the exchange and the source-of-funds documentation with your bank. See Buying Property in Italy With Funds From Abroad.
For the remote process, see Remote Legal Assistance for Property Buyers.
Owning property in Italy does not give you residence. As a New Zealand visitor, you can generally stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Once ETIAS launches, you will also need an online travel authorisation before visiting.
A practical example: a couple from Auckland in Umbria
A couple from Auckland finds a stone farmhouse near Spoleto. The agent mentions that “New Zealanders are exempt from the foreign-buyer rules”, having confused Australia’s ban with New Zealand’s own. The couple asks for the notary to be identified before signing.
The offer is drafted with a condition on the notary confirming eligibility and a clear rule for returning the deposit. One partner holds a British passport as well, so the couple also discusses with their lawyer which citizenship to rely on, since the UK has no equivalent restriction on Italians buying homes. They proceed with the purchase on terms that protect them whatever the notary decides.
How Govoni Law helps
Govoni Law acts only for buyers. For New Zealand clients, we check eligibility for the specific purchase, coordinate with the notary on reciprocity, and review the property and the contract before you commit. We do not sell property, obtain visas or citizenship recognition, or provide New Zealand or Italian tax advice.
| Your stage | Usual level | Service |
|---|---|---|
| You have a listing or a draft offer | A first written assessment, including eligibility | Before You Sign Brief |
| You are committed to a property | A full investigation | Full Legal Due Diligence |
For other nationalities, see UK citizens, US citizens and all nationalities. For the general rules, read Can Foreigners Buy Property in Italy?
Frequently asked questions
Can New Zealanders buy property in Italy?
Often yes, but because New Zealand restricts most overseas people from buying homes there, the notary may need to assess reciprocity. Confirm before signing.
Are New Zealanders exempt from foreign-buyer rules in Italy?
No. New Zealanders are exempt from Australia’s ban on foreigners buying established homes in Australia. That exemption has nothing to do with buying in Italy.
Does New Zealand’s foreign-buyer ban have an end date?
No. It has applied since October 2018, with limited exceptions, including a pathway since March 2026 for certain investor visa holders buying homes over NZ$5 million.
I have Italian citizenship by descent. Does reciprocity apply?
No, if your Italian citizenship has been recognised. Buy using your Italian passport.
Can I buy property in Italy without leaving New Zealand?
Yes. A power of attorney signed before a New Zealand notary, with an apostille, allows a representative to sign the deed in Italy.
Does buying a house in Italy give me residency?
No. Property ownership does not grant a visa or residence permit.
Planning to buy in Italy from New Zealand? Send us the listing before you sign, together with your citizenship details and the draft offer. We will do our best to reply to your request as soon as possible and tell you in writing whether you can buy and how to protect your deposit.