Buying in Milan: the back story

About Buying in Milan: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Milan Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Milan’s most sought-after homes are in the historic centre between Brera, the Quadrilatero and the Corso Venezia, in the Liberty-style streets of Porta Venezia and around the Parco Sempione. The new districts of Porta Nuova and CityLife have added residential towers by leading architects. In Italy the sale is completed by a deed signed before a notaio, a public official.

Where people buy

Brera and the Quadrilatero for apartments in historic palazzi; Porta Venezia and the Corso Venezia for Liberty-style buildings; Magenta and the streets around Sant’Ambrogio and the Castello for classic family apartments; Porta Nuova and CityLife for new towers with gardens.

How a sale works

A sale usually begins with a purchase proposal and a preliminary contract (compromesso), and is completed by the final deed (rogito) signed before a notaio, who checks the title and registers the sale. A foreign buyer needs an Italian tax code (codice fiscale). The Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato explains each step on notariato.it.

We never publish prices; ask an agent and your notary.

Our advice: appoint your own notary and an independent lawyer, and confirm every step with them.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Buying in Milan: the back story before you go.