Can you rent in Italy as a non-resident?

First things first – we’re not talking about tourist rentals here. Visitors to Italy can rent an apartment or villa for a few weeks via platforms like Airbnb or other booking companies. A tourist rental like this can usually only last for a maximum of 30 days, and obviously it gives you none of the legal protections of a proper tenancy agreement.

If you want to live in Italy, however, then you will be looking for a long-term rental via one of the two models of Italian contract (more on that below).

The short answer is yes, you can rent in Italy without being a resident, but there are some important factors to consider before you sign a lease. Whether you’re an EU or non-EU citizen, the process varies, and landlords will often ask for specific documentation.

Renting in Italy as an EU Citizen

If you have citizenship of an EU country, the process is much more straightforward. You do not need to be an official resident of Italy to rent a property, but most landlords will still want to see proof of income to ensure you can meet the financial obligations of the lease. This is typically done through a job contract or recent bank statements.

EU nationals can enter into the same rental contracts as Italian citizens, with no specific restrictions on their status. The rental agreements available are:

Fixed Rental Contract (a canone concordato) – This contract is usually for a 3-year period, with an option to renew for 2 more years. The rent is based on municipal reference tables, which are designed to keep rent prices more affordable for tenants. There are also some tax benefits for landlords who offer this type of contract.

Free Rental Contract (a canone libero) – This contract is more flexible, lasting for 4 years with a renewal option for an additional 4 years. In this case, both the tenant and landlord are free to negotiate the rent, without municipal reference tables.

While EU citizens have an easier time renting, landlords will often require key documents to sign a contract, such as a valid passport or ID, proof of income and the Italian tax code (codice fiscale). If you’re in Italy for a short-term stay, a residence permit may not be necessary, but keep in mind that a lack of proof of income could make it harder to secure a property.

Renting in Italy as a Non-EU Citizen

Some non-EU citizens can stay (therefore rent) for 90 days within a 180 day period without visa or residency status, if they come from a country (such as the UK, US or Canada) that benefits from the ’90 day rule’. Meanwhile citizens of other countries (including China and India) will need a visa even for short stays.

However most landlords will require proof of legal residency even for citizens of ’90 day’ countries.

This typically means showing a valid work visa or other long-term residency documents. If you’re a student, you can also rent with a student visa, or if you’re in Italy for other approved long-term reasons, you can present the appropriate paperwork.

We spoke with Francesco Petrelli, real estate expert from property company, Italia Dream, to get more insights on the rental process for non-EU citizens in Italy.

Petrelli outlined: “A non-EU citizen can legally rent a property in Italy, but it’s important to understand the rules regarding visa and residency status. Generally, a non-EU citizen can stay in Italy for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a residency permit, provided they are not working or studying.

“This is in accordance with the Schengen Area rules, which allow short-term stays for tourism or business purposes [for citizens of certain countries].

“However, to rent a property beyond this time frame, a non-EU citizen must have some form of legal residency status.

“This can be a work visa, a student visa, or any long-term residence permit that confirms you’re authorised to stay in the country for an extended period. Without these documents, landlords will typically be hesitant to sign a rental agreement because they cannot verify that the tenant has the legal right to stay in the country.

“Essentially, it’s not enough to just be in the country temporarily – you need proof that you can stay beyond the initial 90-day period legally.

“Once the non-EU citizen has secured the appropriate visa or permit, they can then enter into a rental agreement like any other tenant. The key consideration for landlords is whether the tenant has a valid legal status in Italy. Non-EU citizens will also need to provide documentation such as proof of income, a valid passport or ID, and the Italian tax code (codice fiscale), which is required for almost all official transactions in Italy.”

Without such documentation, landlords will likely not enter into a rental agreement with you. Non-EU nationals will also be asked to provide proof of income to demonstrate they can afford the rent, whether that’s through a job contract or bank statements.

Documents You’ll Need

Whether you’re an EU or non-EU citizen, having the necessary paperwork ready will make the rental process smoother.

Common documents required by landlords include:

• Valid passport or ID – Your proof of identity is essential for signing a lease.
• Proof of income – A job contract, bank statements, or payslips to demonstrate your ability to pay rent.
• Italian tax code (codice fiscale) – This is required for tax purposes and is necessary for almost any official transaction in Italy, including renting a property.
• Residency permit or visa if required – Non-EU citizens will need to provide documentation of their legal stay in Italy (eg, work visa, student visa etc).
• References – Some landlords may request references from previous landlords to ensure you’re a reliable tenant.

The Rental Process

Once you’ve gathered the required documents, you’ll typically go through the process of signing one of two types of rental agreements.

Landlords in Italy can be cautious when it comes to renting out properties, especially to non-Italians. They’ll want to ensure you can fulfil the terms of the lease and make timely payments.

If you’re a non-EU citizen without a job – for example you are retired – some landlords may ask for a guarantor or proof of sufficient savings in order to secure the lease.

Getting an apartment in Italy without a job is more challenging but not impossible.

If you are an EU citizen, having a job isn’t a strict requirement, though landlords will typically still expect proof of income.

For non-EU citizens landlords will often require proof of legal residency through a visa or other long-term permits. If you do not have a job, you might need to show substantial savings or have a guarantor who is willing to take responsibility for the rent if you cannot pay.