You don't need to speak Italian to buy property in Italy. Most agents speak English or will make an effort and there are also translators that you will need anyway to complete the documentation in Italian. That's not a problem, but knowing how to ask a few key questions in Italian can get you better answers. For example, asking why the seller is selling, how long the property has been on the market, and what the real annual costs are, are all key details that shape your negotiation. And they're easy to ask in Italian, once you know how.

Before We Start: The Basics

You likely already know the fundamentals: Buongiorno (good day), Buonasera (good evening), Grazie (thank you), Per favore (please), Scusi (excuse me), and Mi chiamo... (My name is...).

These will serve you well in any introduction. Let’s move on to the phrases that give you a real advantage.

Sitting Down With An Agent

Your first meeting with an Italian real estate agent is where everything begins. You’ll want to explain what you’re looking for, ask about pricing, and get a sense of how much room there is to negotiate.

Start with Cerco una casa da comprare (I’m looking for a house to buy). Simple, clear, and to the point.

When a property catches your interest, you’ll want to know the price: Qual è il prezzo? (What’s the price?)

And then the question that often surprises foreign buyers: Il prezzo è trattabile? (Is the price negotiable?) In Italy, asking prices are almost always starting points. Discounts of 10–15% are common, and on properties that have sat on the market for a while, 20% or more is entirely realistic.

Which leads to another useful question: Da quanto tempo è in vendita? (How long has it been on the market?) A property listed for three months is a very different situation than one that’s been available for three years. The longer it’s been listed, the more flexibility you can typically expect.

Here’s a quick reference:

Once you've identified a property worth seeing, it's time to schedule the viewing, and that's where you learn what no online listing ad can tell you.

Standing Inside The Property

Listings show you photos and square meters. Viewings show you everything else: the light, the layout, the feel of the space. But they also give you the chance to ask questions that reveal what’s really going on behind the sale.

Perché il proprietario vende? (Why is the owner selling?) This is one of the most valuable questions you can ask. A family that inherited a property and has no personal attachment to it will often prioritize a smooth, efficient sale over maximizing the price. On the other hand, someone selling a home they’ve lived in for 30 years may care deeply about finding the right buyer. Understanding the seller’s motivation helps you understand how to approach the negotiation.

Quanti proprietari ci sono? (How many owners are there?) Italian properties are frequently inherited by multiple family members. If six siblings all own equal shares, they all need to agree on the sale — which can explain why some properties linger on the market. But there’s an upside: when a discount is split six ways, each owner gives up relatively little, which can make the group more open to negotiation than a single seller might be.

Quanto sono le spese annuali? (What are the annual expenses?) Property taxes, condominium fees, and municipal charges vary significantly across Italy. A €100,000 property with €3,000 in annual expenses is a fundamentally different purchase than one with €600. This is a question many foreign buyers don’t think to ask until after they’ve signed.

Cosa è incluso nella vendita? (What’s included in the sale?) In Italy, it’s not unusual for sellers to take everything when they leave — including kitchen cabinets, appliances, and light fixtures. What stays and what goes should always be clarified upfront.

Ci sono lavori da fare? (Is there work that needs to be done?) A direct way to ask about the property’s condition and any repairs or renovations that might be necessary.

For easy reference:

Now when you start asking questions in Italian, the answers will come back in Italian and sometimes faster than you can follow. That's perfectly normal and easy to handle.

When You Don't Catch The Answer

Non ho capito (I didn’t understand) — polite and clear.

Più lentamente, per favore (More slowly, please) — helpful when the response comes too fast.

Può ripetere? (Can you repeat that?) — when you need to hear it again.

Può scriverlo? (Can you write it down?) — especially useful for prices. “Centocinquantamila” can sound like a blur when spoken quickly. Written down, it’s unmistakably 150,000.

Understanding Numbers

Here are the building blocks you’ll need:

With these, you can decode most prices you’ll hear. “Duecentocinquanta” is 250,000. “Trecentomila” is 300,000. And if you don’t catch it, you already know what to ask: Può scriverlo?

A Few More Phrases Worth Knowing

As you go through viewings and conversations, a handful of additional phrases will serve you well:

Ci devo pensare (I need to think about it) is a polite way to step back without closing the door, especially useful when you’re viewing multiple properties.

Posso fare un’offerta? (Can I make an offer?) ask when you’re ready to move forward.

Mi piace molto (I like it a lot) simple and straightforward.

Che bella casa! (What a beautiful house!) is a warm response that’s always appreciated.

And that’s it - roughly 50 words that will carry you from your first meeting with an agent to making an offer on a property.