Guide for buyers
Planning and cadastral compliance in Italy: the difference
Cadastre and planning have different functions. A cadastral plan matching physical condition does not by itself prove that building work was authorised.
What to check
Reconstruct permissions
Licences, permits, amnesties and filings should be read chronologically against the current property.
Survey the asset
A qualified technician compares dimensions, use, openings and outbuildings with available approvals.
Check cadastre
Ownership, identifiers and plan should align without treating the cadastre as planning permission.
Manage discrepancies
Nature, possible remedy, timing and responsibility need clarity before irreversible commitments.
Records to collect
- municipal building-file search
- measured survey
- cadastral extracts and plans
- technical report with separate findings
Case-specific checks should be completed by appointed professionals before irreversible commitments. This information does not replace notarial, legal, tax or technical advice.
Frequently asked questions
Does a matching cadastral plan prove legality?
No. Planning and building compliance is a separate review.
Who performs it?
A qualified Italian technician reconstructs authorised status and compares records.
Can every discrepancy be regularised?
No. Possibility and procedure depend on facts and current rules.
Primary sources
- D.P.R. 380/2001, accessed 4 September 2026.
- Agenzia delle Entrate — servizi catastali, accessed 4 September 2026.
