The Permesso di soggiorno

As explained below, the main advantage of being resident in Italy is that registration tax to be pais on completion is lower.

Since 1st January 2007, the permesso di soggiorno no longer applies to European Union nationals living in Italy. However, British nationals must take out a residence certificate at the Ufficio Anagrafe. After having submitted the application, the local Polizia Municipale will come and check where you live, so it may take some time before the certificate is ready.

The day you are resident in Italy, you have the same rights as an Italian to the National Health Service. Pensioners from EU countries will need form E121, while EU nationals transferred to Italy by their home country will need forms E101 and E111. E300 is used for anything regarding unemployment benefits.

From: The Italian Magazine – December 2007

The Italian Magazine

On the current issue of “The Italian Magazine” (a magazine published in UK) there is a very well done article by Mrs Leaonne Hall about our region, focused on the Riviera dei Fiori (the “Flowers Riviera”).

“….this area is home to some of Italy’s most stunning hilltop villages, sandiest beaches and best weather….”

“….Sanremo is a lush and verdant place – you’ll find brightly coloured gardens and flowers everywhere…again, the microclimate of the riviera in in evidence at the Ormond Gardens and Nobel Villa, where many species of exotic flowers grow…”

“….Dolceacqua is set on the River Nervia, it has been occupied since the Iron Age, and one of the town’s most famous sites is the Ponte Vecchio, wich was built in the 15th century. The bridge was made famous thanks to a painting by Monet….”

“….Bordighera has always had an affinity with the British, being a prominent resort town during Victorian times, and many aristocratic Brits built art deco holiday home here. Bordighera was the site of Italy’s first ever tennis club, and more evidence of the British presence can be found everywhere, from the Anglican Church to the British cemetery….”

“….It is impossible to mention sanremo without looking at the numerous events hosted here each year…the Sanremo Music festival, the Sanremo rally, the Milan-Sanremo bicycle race, sailing regattas, the Flowers parade….”

So, what are you waiting for ???

Click here to find the right property for you!

Matteo

Current Weather Conditions in Sanremo

Just to remind you why Western Liguria is so special:

Sanremo, 02 November 2007, h. 16.18

Temperature:  19.8°C, Sunny

Humidity: 56%

Today’s Rain: 0.0 mm

Wind:  SW at 11.3 kt (perfect for Sailing…) 

Matteo 

Recco vs Sanremo

Just a real example of what is explained below:

Yesterday, with my colleague Anne, I was in Recco (between Genoa and Portofino, Eastern Liguria) for visiting a majestic epoque Villa facing the sea. At 16.00 the weather was: clouds, rain and wind and 12 C°….. 2 hours later in Sanremo: clouds, no rain, no wind, 19 C°….. (these are our  normal conditions in Autumn).

Right now in Sanremo:

Sanremo
Portosole

ore: 18.22             giorno: 31/10/07

Temperature
 19.6°C
Humidity
 60%
Dewpoint
 11.6°C
Wind
 WNW at 2.6 kt
Barometer
 1017.1 hPa & Rising Rapidly
Today’s Rain
 0.0 mm
High Temperature

Low Temperature

 21.1°C  at 11.43

17.3°C  at   0.26

from: http://portosole.altervista.org/davis/kiki.htm

Matteo

The process of purchasing

Buying in Italy is similar to buying in the UK to the extent that there is an offer and acceptance procedure, which is usually followed by an exchange of contracts:  the Preliminary Act (“Compromesso”) and the final deed (“Atto/Rogito Notarile”) in front of an Italian Notary. The deed is signed and the balance of the purchase monies handed over in exchange for the keys. The contract is subsequently recorded in a Public/Land registry.

Things to know:

– Most Italian properties are freehold.

– Under Italian Law, there is no penalty fee if you pay the entire mortgage amount, before the original end.

– In Italy, since 1989, the Estate Agent (“Agente immobiliare”) must be registered in the register of estate agents held at the Chamber of Commerce, after he has passed an hard Examination on every aspects about property purchase process. LiguriaHomes director, Matteo Scandolera, is also an Official Property Consultant of the Sanremo Court.

Under Italian Law a property has a Legal or Tax value (“Valore Catastale”); this is a value placed on a property by the Government and is generally considerably less than the commercial price of the property (approx from 30 to 50% of the commercial price). It is the figure on which taxes are calculated as reported in the Local Land Registry Office (“Catasto”).

A step-by-step guide

– The first step is formalising the Offer to the vendor, through the estate agent as an intermediary. The offer is then placed in writing and you will normally have to pay a deposit on the property (5,000 – 10,000 EUR). If the offer is accepted, this deposit paid is defined as “Caparra Confirmatoria” and in the event either party withdraws from the sale the other party has the right to force the sale, and/or collect damages and/or have back the deposit (if the seller is the breaching party it can be twice the deposit amount).

– Once the seller accepts the offer, the parties have a binding contract, which is then formalised with the execution of the Preliminary Act (“Compromesso”), a formal agreement according to which the parties undertake to buy and sell the property and agree on the terms and conditions of the sale. On signing the “Compromesso”, the buyer pays normally the 10% deposit (“Caparra Confirmatoria”) on the purchase price. It is an important stage and it is necessary for you to understand the details of the contract. That is the reason why we prefer to appoint an english spoken Notary, for ensuring that everything is clear and that you understand all the terms and conditions. At this stage you have to pay the Commission Fee (“Provvigione”) to the estate agent.

– The transfer of the property takes place with the execution of a deed of sale rogito in front of a Notary. The Notary (“Notaio”) is the only professional entitled to transfer legal title to properties in Italy. Although the notary is  selected and paid by the buyer, he is an independent public officer/professional  charged with the duty of drafting the Purchase Deed finalizing the sale, ensuring that title passes legally between the parties, verifying the necessary legal documentation and registration in the Local Land Register.
 

FEES & TAXES

– Registration tax/stamp duty is paid, in a simplified term, on the governments valuation of the property, the “Valore catastale”. If you are buying the property as a holiday home, stamp duty will be 10% of this government valuation. If however you wish to move to Italy and apply for residency (“Prima casa”) within 18 months of the closure, then the stamp duty becomes 3% (4% in case of new construction). It is paid at the time of the sale, to the Notary.

– Two property taxes are levied in Italy: a Council tax, called “ICI”, which is paid to the local Comune (between 0.4% – 0.7% on the tax value) whether you are a resident or non-resident; and IRPEF (Physical Person Income Tax), which is paid to the state. The main residence is not subject to Irpef. Non-residents must submit a tax return stating the details of their Italian property, even though there’s no tax to pay.
– Just for holiday homes, if the owner sells prior to 5 years incurs a charge of 20% Capital Gain on the gain between the buying price and the selling price.
 

POST-COMPLETION FORMALITIES

– Once the purchase has been completed in the Notary’ office, the foreign buyer will mainly be interested in obtaining a certified copy of the Purchase Deed, as duly lodged with the authorities by the Italian Notary appointed. A copy of the Purchase Deed (“Rogito”) is usually available for collection within 2 – 3 months from the date of completion. Liguria Homes will collect it for you.

– Formal notice should be given to the local police authorities (Questura) of the purchase, by using a form usually supplied by the Notary and delivered by the estate Agent.

– Finally, it will be necessary to arrange for new contracts (“Volturazione delle utenze”) with the main utilities (power, water, gas, telephone, etc.). Liguria Homes will do it for you.

– Where the property is in a block of flats, to inform the condominium manager (“Amministratore del condominio) of the transfer of the flat to the foreign buyer.  Liguria homes will do it for you.

– Also, LiguriaHomes offers its rental division to rent out your property so you can obtain the best possible return on your investment, if you wish.

Eastern or Western Liguria?

Both Western and Eastern Liguria are generally characterised by a warm temperate climate, though further subdivisions are possible. For instance, along the farthest part of Western Liguria – from Capo Mele to the border with France – you can find even better climatic conditions.

Liguria owns its lovely climate to its peculiar geographical position. It is a natural amphitheatre facing south and shielded from the cold northern winds by the Alps and the northern Apennines. These very same elements influence winter temperatures, especially on Western Liguria where they range between 10° C. and 14° C.

The orography of Liguria influences considerably the pattern and distribution of rains. Eastern Liguria is affected by sirocco winds that cause bad weather conditions, while Western Liguria is affected by westerlies that allow for more settled weather conditions. In particular, when winds blow from north and north-east, temperatures rise considerably and the rate of humidity lowers. At this stage, the weather in Eastern Liguria is cloudy and rainfall is high, while it is lower in Western Liguria rains. From December to February, the area between Capo Mele and the border with France has lower rainfall than Genoa and slightly higher rainfall than the mountainous area between Chiavari and La Spezia -in this area the rainfall total is sometimes similar to the one registered in North-eastern Italy during the same period of time.

In cases of settled weather conditions, Western Liguria is characterised by Levanters (from East) all along its extent to the border with France. Sirocco winds (from South – South-east) are rare. North-west and west winds are also rare because of the Western Alps. This two phenomena are at the basis of the exceptionally lovely climate of the coastal area between Capo Mele and the border with France. And this is why Western Liguria can enjoy a high number of sunny days – equal, or more, to the one in Southern Italy – even during wintertime.

The sea acts as a thermoregulator and thus there are no substantial differences between the minimum temperatures of the two sides of Liguria, though in winter notable differences can be registered between minimum temperatures in seaside resorts – always above zero – and the hinterland – often below zero .
During wintertime, the temperature range is low; the number of sunny hours per day is high; and the rainfall is low. The mountains act as a barrier that shields Western Liguria from disturbance, thus differentiating the climate in these two bordering areas. San Remo and its surroundings (specially Ospedaletti) can actually enjoy a fairly milder climate than nowhere. Snow and harsh temperatures are almost exceptional events in San Remo.