Govoni Law is an independent Italian law firm that protects foreign buyers before they commit to a property in Italy. We review the property, the documents and the proposed contract from the buyer’s side, in clear written English, so you know what you are buying before you sign an offer or pay a deposit.
We assist buyers throughout Italy: villas on the lakes, sea-view homes on the Riviera, apartments in Milan and Rome, farmhouses in Umbria, historic homes in Sicily and Tuscany, masserie in Puglia, coastal properties in Sardinia and much more. The location changes the risks. The method does not: check first, commit later.
We act only for the buyer. We are not connected to the seller, the developer or the estate agent, and we do not sell property.
A property can be perfect and still not be safe to buy. Our job is to tell you which.
Send us the listing, the documents received and the draft offer before you commit.
Short answer: what does an Italian real estate lawyer do for a foreign buyer?
A buyer-side real estate lawyer checks whether the seller can validly sell, whether the property matches its title, cadastral and planning documents, whether debts, rights of third parties or restrictions affect it, and whether the offer and preliminary contract protect you if something goes wrong.
In Italy this work matters most before the final deed. An accepted offer can already bind you, and a deposit can already be at risk. The notary is essential at completion, but the notary is neutral and does not advise you on whether to accept a commercial or legal risk. That is our role.
Before you sign: when you need a lawyer
| Situation | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| You are asked to sign an offer or reservation quickly | An accepted offer can bind you long before the notary |
| A deposit or caparra is requested | Its legal effect depends on the wording and can put the money at risk |
| The property has a pool, annex, terrace or veranda | These are the features most often affected by planning issues |
| The seller inherited the property or owns it with others | Every owner must be identified and able to sign |
| The property is coastal, rural, historic or on a lake | Landscape, heritage and public-domain rules may apply |
| You are buying off-plan or from a developer | Advance payments, guarantees and delivery dates must be verified |
| The seller promises to fix a problem before the deed | A promise is not a result, and the contract must say what happens if it fails |
| You are buying from abroad | Documents, payments and powers of attorney must be structured carefully |
What we do
Our work is buyer-side and written. Depending on the stage of the transaction, it includes:
- Reviewing the listing, the seller’s documents and the draft offer.
- Checking title, ownership and the authority of the seller to sell.
- Checking mortgages, liens, easements, usufruct and other registered rights.
- Reviewing cadastral records and the legal implications of the planning history.
- Identifying irregular works, missing authorisations and restrictions.
- Reviewing condominium rules, charges and approved works.
- Reviewing developer contracts, guarantees and delivery terms.
- Drafting and negotiating conditions in offers and preliminary contracts.
- Coordinating, where needed, with the notary, the agent and qualified technical professionals.
- Telling you in writing whether to proceed, renegotiate, impose conditions or walk away.
Three levels of protection
Not every buyer needs the same work at the same moment. We offer three levels, matched to the stage of the transaction and the value at risk.
| Level | Best for | What you receive |
|---|---|---|
| Before You Sign Brief | You have a listing, a draft offer, a deposit request or partial documents | A written first assessment of visible risks, missing documents and the safest next step |
| Light Due Diligence | One defined issue needs a substantive answer, such as the contract, a title point or a specific feature | A focused written review of that issue and the protections it requires |
| Full Legal Due Diligence | You are committed to a property of significant value or complexity | A structured investigation of title, burdens, planning position, restrictions and contract terms |
For villas, historic homes, properties with land, off-plan purchases and any high-value acquisition, Full Legal Due Diligence is usually the right level before a binding commitment. For fees and scope, see Legal Services and Fees.
Where we assist buyers
We assist foreign buyers across Italy. The pages below explain how we work in each market and which local risks deserve attention.
| Area | Typical properties | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Como | Hillside villas, historic villas, waterfront homes | Property Lawyer on Lake Como |
| Lake Maggiore | Belle Époque villas, residences with lake access | Property Lawyer on Lake Maggiore |
| Lake Garda | Apartments in residences, hillside villas | Property Lawyer on Lake Garda |
| Liguria | Sea-view apartments, hillside villas, new developments | Property Lawyer in Liguria |
| Milan | Palazzo apartments, penthouses, new builds | Property Lawyer in Milan |
| Rome | Historic apartments, penthouses, villas | Property Lawyer in Rome |
| Umbria | Restored farmhouses, estates with land | Property Lawyer in Umbria |
| Sicily | Palazzi, coastal villas, country houses | Property Lawyer in Sicily |
| Puglia | Masserie, trulli, coastal homes | Real Estate Lawyer in Puglia |
| Calabria | Coastal homes, houses to renovate | Real Estate Lawyer in Calabria |
| Sardinia | Coastal villas, Costa Smeralda, Olbia, Alghero | Property Lawyer in Olbia |
Tuscany, Venice, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast and other areas are assisted on the same basis. If your area is not listed, send us the property details and we will tell you what should be checked.
Italian property law is national. The risk of a property is always local.
Buyers by nationality
The legal right to buy and the practical path to completion can differ depending on your nationality and residence. These pages explain the position for the most common buyer profiles:
- US citizens buying property in Italy
- UK citizens buying property in Italy
- Swiss citizens buying property in Italy
- Scandinavian buyers
- British, American and Indian citizens: can you buy in Italy?
For the general rules, read Can Foreigners Really Buy Property in Italy?.
Key guides before you commit
If you want to understand the main issues before writing to us, these are the guides most buyers read first:
- What Documents Should You Ask for Before Buying Property in Italy?
- Caparra, Deposit or Advance Payment When Buying Property in Italy
- Planning Irregularities in Italian Property
- Buying a Property Where the Seller Promises to Regularise Before Completion
- Can You Trust an Italian Developer’s Bank Guarantee?
- Notary vs Lawyer When Buying Property in Italy
- Remote Property Purchase in Italy
Why the notary and the agent do not replace a buyer-side lawyer
The estate agent introduces the property and helps the parties agree. The agent is usually paid when the sale completes, and may be paid by both sides.
The notary is an independent public official who authenticates the final deed, carries out the formal checks it requires and handles registration. The notary does not normally inspect the property, reconstruct the history of a terrace or annex, or tell you whether to accept a risk before you sign the offer.
A buyer-side lawyer works for you alone, before you are bound, on the questions that decide whether the purchase is safe.
How we work: written, remote, in English
We work in writing, by email. Every risk, recommendation and next step reaches you clear, dated and in English. You can share it with your family, your bank, your surveyor or your accountant, and rely on it in negotiations.
This allows us to assist buyers wherever they live and wherever the property is, with the same precision. Where appropriate, a transaction-specific power of attorney allows the purchase to be completed without travelling to Italy.
A practical example
A family living in Zurich finds two properties: an apartment in Milan for a son studying there and a villa on Lake Como for the family. Both agents ask for offers within a week.
For the apartment, a Before You Sign Brief shows that the cellar is not included in the sale and that the condominium has approved roof works. The offer is corrected before signing. For the villa, Full Legal Due Diligence reveals that the jetty depends on a concession about to expire and that part of the terrace was never authorised. The offer is made conditional on both points, and the deposit is protected until they are resolved.
Two properties, two levels of review, one principle: know before you sign.
What we do not do
We do not sell property, act as a property finder, arrange mortgages, provide tax planning, obtain visas or residence permits, issue architectural or engineering opinions, manage rentals or guarantee planning outcomes. Where those matters arise, we tell you which qualified professional you need and how their work affects your legal position.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to buy property in Italy?
A separate lawyer is not always legally required. For foreign buyers, independent buyer-side advice is strongly advisable before signing an offer or paying a deposit, especially for high-value, historic, coastal, rural, inherited or off-plan properties.
How do I choose an Italian real estate lawyer?
Look for a lawyer who acts only for the buyer, has no connection with the seller or agent, explains the scope and fee in writing before starting, and gives you written advice in a language you fully understand.
Do you work outside Sardinia?
Yes. We assist foreign buyers throughout Italy, including the lakes, Liguria, Milan, Rome, Umbria, Sicily, Puglia, Tuscany and Calabria.
Can you help if I have already signed an offer?
Yes. Send us the signed documents. We will assess your position, the conditions already in place and the options available before the next payment or signature.
Can I buy property in Italy without travelling?
In many cases, yes. The purchase can be structured through written legal review, coordination with the notary and, where appropriate, a power of attorney.
How much does a property lawyer cost in Italy?
It depends on the level of work and the complexity of the property. We confirm the scope and fee in writing before starting. See our legal services and fees page for details.
If you are considering a property anywhere in Italy, contact Govoni Law before signing an offer or transferring a deposit. Send the listing, the documents received and the draft offer, and we will tell you in writing which level of review your purchase needs.
Wherever you buy in Italy, buy with the law on your side.