Property purchase in Cagliari for German and Swiss buyers
Dedicated legal assistance for German-speaking purchasers in the province of Cagliari
Acquiring property in Cagliari as a German or Swiss national
German and Swiss nationals constitute one of the most significant groups of foreign property purchasers in Sardegna.
Whether the objective is a holiday residence on the Italian lakes or coast, a retirement home, or an investment property in the Cagliari area, the acquirer must engage with an Italian conveyancing system that operates very differently from the Grundbuch-based system familiar in Germany and Switzerland.
The firm provides dedicated assistance to German-speaking clients throughout the property acquisition process in Cagliari, from the identification and preliminary assessment of the property through to the conclusion of the notarial deed.
Particular attention is devoted to building compliance verification — a critical step in the Italian system that has no direct equivalent in Germanic property law — and to cadastral alignment, which must be perfected before the transfer can be registered.
Double taxation implications for German and Swiss property owners
The bilateral conventions for the avoidance of double taxation between Italy and Germany, and between Italy and Switzerland, govern the allocation of taxing rights on property income, capital gains, and wealth.
The applicable provisions differ between the two treaties and may affect whether income from property in Cagliari is taxed exclusively in Italy or also in the country of residence.
The firm advises on fiscal structure considerations in coordination with the client's domestic tax advisor.
Swiss residents should additionally consider the implications of Italian property ownership for the purposes of Swiss cantonal wealth tax, while German residents should assess the interaction with the German Einkommensteuer provisions on foreign property income.
How to proceed — preliminary consultation
The first recommended step is to schedule a thirty-minute preliminary consultation, available in English and with German-language support where required, to evaluate the specific acquisition project and provide guidance on the applicable procedure, costs, and timelines for property purchase in Cagliari.
- The L'Aurora Law Firm is available for those seeking professional virtual legal assistance and customized solutions in Cagliari. We offer a wide range of bespoke legal services designed to effectively meet the needs of private individuals, companies and professionals.
- We remain constantly updated on the latest legislative developments and judicial trends, ensuring comprehensive, targeted and cutting-edge assistance. Every client is unique, and for this reason we strive to provide customized consultations, aimed at resolving legal issues that may arise in daily life or in the professional context in the most effective and timely manner possible.
- Our approach is founded on a thorough and meticulous analysis of each case, offering practical and concrete solutions, always oriented towards protecting the rights and legitimate interests of our clients. We firmly believe that a solid professional relationship is built on mutual trust and maximum transparency, and for this reason we maintain constant and open dialogue with our clients, updating them punctually at every stage of proceedings.
- We provide virtual consultation and qualified legal assistance in Cagliari, in the region of Sardegna, in various areas of law, including civil, commercial, corporate, labor and criminal law. Whether it is a contractual dispute, a family law matter or a corporate litigation, we are ready to provide all necessary support to face every legal challenge with confidence and serenity.
- We work with passion, dedication and professional rigor to achieve concrete and measurable results, always with the primary objective of ensuring the full protection of our clients' rights. Contact us for an initial consultation and discover how we can help you protect your rights and resolve every legal matter with expertise and professionalism.

Lawyer Liliana L'Aurora, registered with the Bar Association of Latina, with experience in business distress law and over-indebtedness, in line with the Business Distress Code. Crisis Manager for over-indebtedness and support in insolvency proceedings. I am also registered with the Register of Crisis Managers and the OCC of the Bar Association of Latina.
I have acquired practical experience at the De Felice Law Firm, dealing with bankruptcy proceedings and real estate sales. I provide legal consultation in the following areas: commercial law, debt recovery, family law, civil liability.
Graduated in Law from La Sapienza University in Rome, I enrich my training with advanced courses for Crisis Managers and on the Business Distress Code.
I offer legal consultations in remote mode, using advanced technologies that allow me to operate at the national level in a secure manner.
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Does the law firm handle legal matters related to Cagliari?
- The firm provides specialised legal counsel on matters involving Cagliari and the surrounding territory — irrespective of the client's place of residence.
- From property disputes to local regulations, employment law to family matters: should a case be connected to Cagliari or neighbouring municipalities such as Elmas, Settimo San Pietro, Quartucciu, the firm is available to assist.
- Consultations are conducted remotely via video call or telephone, without the need to attend the office in person.
- Book a consultation →
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Can legal assistance be obtained for a matter involving Cagliari without residing there?
- The firm handles legal matters connected to the territory of Cagliari and surrounding municipalities, regardless of where the client is based.
- Cases involving local real estate, commercial activities, contracts, inheritance and disputes tied to the following areas are fully covered: Elmas, Settimo San Pietro, Quartucciu, Soleminis, Maracalagonis, Monserrato, Serdiana, Villaspeciosa, Decimomannu, Uta.
- The firm is available to provide qualified legal assistance tailored to each specific situation.
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Does the firm provide legal assistance for over-indebtedness and debt crisis procedures connected to Cagliari?
- The firm offers specialised legal assistance for over-indebtedness procedures under Italian Law No. 3/2012 and the Business Crisis Code (D.Lgs. 14/2019), assisting both private individuals and sole traders connected to the Cagliari area.
- Available procedures include the debt restructuring plan, the consumer arrangement, and the controlled liquidation of assets — instruments designed to provide a lawful and structured resolution to situations of financial distress.
- Clients residing in or holding assets within Elmas, Settimo San Pietro, Quartucciu, Soleminis, Maracalagonis, Monserrato, Serdiana, Villaspeciosa, Decimomannu, Uta and surrounding municipalities may access these procedures with the support of the firm.
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INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS REQUIRING REAL ESTATE AND INHERITANCE LAW ASSISTANCE IN CAGLIARI
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Real estate acquisition near Cagliari for German and Swiss buyers
- German and Swiss nationals represent a significant share of foreign property purchasers in Sardegna. Whether acquiring a primary residence, a holiday home, or an investment property in the Cagliari area, the purchaser must contend with Italian conveyancing procedures, cadastral verifications, building compliance assessments, and a taxation framework distinct from that of Germany or Switzerland. The bilateral conventions for the avoidance of double taxation between Italy and each country have direct implications for property income and capital gains. The firm offers dedicated assistance in German legal terminology where required, with the aim of supporting the client's interests from preliminary inquiry through to registration.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Purchasing property in Cagliari as a British citizen after Brexit
- Since the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union, British nationals seeking to acquire real estate in Cagliari must navigate a distinct regulatory framework. Reciprocity conditions under Italian law must be verified, tax identification must be obtained, and the conveyancing procedure differs markedly from the English system of solicitors and land registry. Furthermore, post-Brexit residence considerations apply where the purchaser intends to reside in the property for extended periods. The firm is available to assist UK clients at each stage of the acquisition process in the Cagliari area, from preliminary due diligence and building compliance verification through to notarial deed execution.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Cross-border property transactions between France and Cagliari
- French nationals acquiring or inheriting property in Cagliari benefit from EU Succession Regulation No. 650/2012, which permits the choice of applicable law for succession matters. However, the Italian conveyancing system, cadastral regime, and building compliance framework remain exclusively governed by Italian law. The firm provides French-speaking clients with structured guidance through each phase of the real estate transaction or succession procedure in Cagliari, ensuring alignment with both Italian regulatory requirements and the client's obligations under French fiscal law, including reporting to the Direction générale des finances publiques.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Selling inherited Italian property from abroad — Cagliari and Cagliari
- A non-resident heir wishing to sell inherited property in Cagliari faces a series of procedural requirements that must be addressed before any transfer can occur. These include completion of the succession declaration, cadastral alignment, resolution of any building code irregularities, and procurement of the required energy performance certificate. The heir must obtain an Italian tax identification number and may grant a power of attorney to enable the firm to act on their behalf before the notary public. Capital gains taxation for non-resident sellers is governed by specific provisions, and applicable bilateral tax treaties must be considered to avoid double taxation in the country of residence.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Inherited property in Cagliari — assistance for Argentine and Brazilian heirs
- Descendants of Italian emigrants residing in Argentina or Brazil frequently inherit property in Cagliari or neighbouring municipalities in Cagliari. In many instances, the succession chain involves multiple generations and requires reconstruction of civil status documentation across Italian and South American registries. The firm regularly handles cases involving apostilled foreign documents, consular certificates, and multi-party successions where co-heirs reside on different continents. Where the inherited property is encumbered by debts or building irregularities, the firm advises on acceptance with benefit of inventory under Articles 484 and following of the Italian Civil Code, or on strategic renunciation under Article 519 of the Italian Civil Code.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS IN CAGLIARI
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Is a power of attorney sufficient to complete a property sale in Cagliari without being present?
- A non-resident owner may grant a special power of attorney (procura speciale notarile) to an appointed representative, enabling the sale of property in Cagliari without the owner's physical presence at the notarial deed. The power of attorney must be executed before an Italian consulate abroad or before a foreign notary with subsequent apostille and sworn translation.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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What taxes apply when a non-resident inherits property in Cagliari?
- Inheritance tax in Italy is determined by the degree of kinship between the deceased and the heir, with rates ranging from four to eight percent and applicable exemption thresholds. Non-resident heirs are subject to the same rates as residents. Additionally, cadastral and mortgage taxes apply at the time of succession registration. Bilateral tax treaties may affect whether the inheritance is also taxable in the heir's country of residence.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Do I need to pay IMU property tax as a non-resident owner in Cagliari?
- Non-resident property owners in Cagliari are generally subject to IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica) at the applicable municipal rate, which varies by municipality and property category. The primary residence exemption is not available to non-resident owners unless specific conditions are met. The firm advises on the applicable rates and filing obligations.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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What happens if inherited property in Cagliari has building code violations?
- Building irregularities must generally be resolved before the property can be sold or mortgaged. Options include applying for a sanatoria (retroactive building permit) where the violation is eligible for regularisation, or demolition and restoration to the approved state. The firm assesses the nature of the violation and advises on available remediation options, which vary depending on the type and extent of the irregularity.
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