Compare Mortgages in Italy

Live offers

19 live offers compared from 19 providers, from €2.50 % TAN. Updated daily.

What is a Mortgage in Italy?

A mortgage (mutuo) is a long-term loan secured against a property, most commonly taken to buy a home. The flagship product is the mutuo prima casa — a first-home mortgage that carries tax advantages, notably a reduced imposta sostitutiva of 0.25% of the loan amount in place of several other charges. Terms usually run 10 to 30 years, and the loan is registered as a mortgage lien (ipoteca) over the property.

Every purchase is formalised before a notaio (notary), who verifies title, registers the deed and the mortgage, and disburses the funds — a mandatory step in Italian conveyancing.

How the Italian market works

Borrowers choose primarily between a tasso fisso (fixed rate) and a tasso variabile (variable rate). A fixed rate is typically priced off the IRS (Interest Rate Swap) index plus a bank spread; a variable rate tracks the Euribor plus spread. Fixed gives certainty for the whole term; variable can start lower but moves with the market.

A defining Italian feature is surroga — under the Legge Bersani, you can transfer your outstanding mortgage to a new bank offering better terms at no cost, with the new lender absorbing the notary and administrative expenses. This keeps competition lively across lenders.

Key features and support

Fisso vs variabile — fixed for certainty, variable for a potentially lower starting rate.

Surroga — free remortgage to another bank to secure a better rate, with no penalty.

Fondo di garanzia prima casa — a state guarantee managed by CONSAP that supports first-home buyers, with enhanced access and higher LTV (up to 80–100% for eligible young buyers under 36).

LTV — most mortgages fund up to 80% of value; higher LTV is possible with the state guarantee.

How to choose

Compare the TAEG, which captures the true cost including spread, mandatory fire-and-explosion insurance, valuation (perizia) and file fees — not just the headline rate. Decide whether you value the certainty of a fixed rate or are comfortable with Euribor movements on a variable. If you already have a mortgage, periodically test whether a surroga would cut your rate at no cost.

Leading providers in Italy

Major mortgage lenders include Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, BNL, Banca Mediolanum, ING, Fineco Bank, Credem and Poste Italiane. Giraffy tracks around 19 live mortgage offers for the Italian market across fixed and variable products.

What it costs

Advertised rates currently sit roughly between 2.5% and 3.5%, varying with fixed versus variable, LTV and term. On top of the rate, budget for the notary's fee, the 0.25% imposta sostitutiva on a first home, valuation and compulsory property insurance. The TAEG bundles these recurring costs, so it is the fairest basis for comparison between lenders.

Protections and regulation

Mortgage lending is supervised by Banca d'Italia. Borrowers benefit from standardised pre-contract disclosure (the ESIS/PIES sheet), the free surroga right under Legge Bersani, and the state Fondo di garanzia prima casa operated through CONSAP. The notary provides an independent legal check on the transaction before funds are released.

Common questions

Fixed or variable? Choose fixed for a guaranteed instalment across the whole term; variable if you can absorb Euribor swings for a potentially lower start.

Is surroga really free? Yes — under Legge Bersani the new bank covers the transfer costs, so switching for a better rate carries no penalty.

How much can I borrow? Commonly up to 80% LTV, rising toward 100% for eligible young first-home buyers under the CONSAP guarantee.

Mortgages in Italy — FAQ