Frequently Asked Questions

Our step-by-step guide plans for around six months from first research to receiving your keys. Every purchase is different, so timings depend on the property, the paperwork and how quickly both sides are ready.

Choose the areas that suit you, set a realistic budget and find a legal team. Get your codice fiscale and open an Italian bank account. Then view properties, make an offer, sign the contratto preliminare and pay the deposit, and finally sign the atto pubblico di compravendita (the final deed) at the notary’s office.

Before a firm offer you can also sign a proposta di acquisto (purchase proposal). The seller may refuse it.

In Italy the notary (notaio) is a public official who completes the sale on behalf of the Italian state. The notary prepares and witnesses the final deed and registers the transfer. We can help you arrange the notary.

The notary does not act for you personally, so we recommend having your own solicitor as well.

The codice fiscale is a tax code issued by the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate). You need it to open an Italian bank account and to buy property. Getting one is not difficult; you will need your passport, and your solicitor can help with the application.

Plan for purchase taxes, notary fees, legal fees, any agency fee, and survey or technical checks. The purchase taxes depend on whether the property will be your main home, whether you buy from a private seller or a company, and the property’s registered (cadastral) value.

Your solicitor will give you exact figures for your purchase before you commit. We don’t quote tax rates on this page because they depend on your circumstances and can change.

Yes, buyers from abroad purchase on the Riviera regularly. Much of the work can be done with your solicitor from home, and we can attend viewings and coordinate locally on your behalf.

You will need to visit to open your bank account, and the final deed is signed at the notary’s office. If you can’t be there, ask your solicitor whether signing through a power of attorney is possible for you.

We recommend independent technical checks before you commit, especially on older villas and houses. These cover the building’s condition and whether it matches its planning and cadastral records.

Through our building and architect connections we can introduce local professionals (a geometra or architect) and help you plan any renovation work.

We are not tax advisers, but we have trusted connections in Italy and the UK who can advise on tax and inheritance and on how to structure your purchase.

From day-to-day care to seasonal upgrades: regular checks, repairs and upkeep for villas, apartments and businesses, tailored to your property and how you use it.

Yes. From concept to construction we work with builders and architects on extensions, renovations and new builds, keeping you informed at every stage.

Yacht maintenance, so your vessel is ready when you are, and charter experiences along the Riviera coast, from sunset cruises to full-day trips.

Bespoke experiences planned around you: private yacht charters, cultural itineraries, reservations and moments along the coast, arranged discreetly.

Yes. We can find and check tenants, work with local professionals on the right Italian lease, collect the rent, send clear statements and look after maintenance and inspections.

Yes. We handle the listing and seasonal pricing, guest messages, check-in and check-out, cleaning and linen between stays, maintenance, and support with local registration and tourist-tax requirements. You can block out the weeks you want to use the property yourself.

Yields can be up to 7–10% gross, depending on factors such as the property, its location, its running costs and how it is let. This is a guide, not a forecast: returns are never guaranteed, and we’ll talk you through realistic figures for a specific property.

It depends on the property and your plans. A long let gives steadier occupancy with less turnover. Managed short lets can earn more than long lets, depending on location, season and occupancy, but income varies and is never guaranteed. We’ll explain the options honestly.

Raffaello Sappa is your single point of contact from the first call to the keys and beyond. Email raffaello.sappa@therivieraconcierge.com, or call or WhatsApp +44 7930 328594.

The western Italian Riviera from Ventimiglia to Imperia, including Ventimiglia, Bordighera, Ospedaletti, Sanremo, Taggia and Arma di Taggia, Santo Stefano al Mare, San Lorenzo al Mare and Imperia.

Tell us what you are looking for. We’re happy to meet for a coffee or a call, get to know your plans and recommend the right next step. There is no obligation.