IBL
Industry-focused legal expertise in Italy

Real estate and hospitality lawyers in Italy

We advise international investors, family offices, funds, developers, hotel groups, operators and lenders on Italian property and hotel acquisitions, development, leasing, operating structures and exit strategies.

Discuss an Italian property or hotel investment
Hospitality & Real Estate

Italian property law from acquisition to hotel operations

A real estate or hospitality investment in Italy connects title, cadastral records, planning status, building permits, environmental matters, leases, financing, construction and development risk, corporate structuring and the intended operating model. We coordinate these workstreams so the asset can be acquired, developed, financed and used as planned.

Core legal workstreams

01

Property acquisitions and real estate due diligence

We review title and ownership history, mortgages, liens, easements, third-party rights, cadastral conformity, planning status, building permits, leases, environmental issues and litigation. The due diligence is aligned with the asset deal, share deal, financing conditions and intended use.

02

Development, financing and commercial leases

We structure acquisition vehicles, joint ventures, development agreements, forward-funding arrangements and lender interfaces. We also negotiate commercial leases, sale-and-leaseback transactions, construction interfaces, guarantees, conditions precedent and rights linked to planning or completion milestones.

03

Hotel management, franchise and operating agreements

We draft and negotiate hotel management, franchise, lease, technical-services, branding, reservation, licence and supply agreements. We address operator standards, fees, performance tests, owner approvals, capital expenditure, employment, data, intellectual property, termination and handover.

From property due diligence to opening and exit

01

Define the asset and investment structure

We identify the property, seller, investors, lenders, acquisition vehicle, intended use, operator, development plan, financing route and target timetable.

02

Investigate title, planning and operating constraints

We review land-registry and cadastral records, encumbrances, leases, planning and building documents, environmental matters, licences and the legal issues that could prevent acquisition, development or operation.

03

Negotiate acquisition and hospitality contracts

We align the purchase or investment agreement with due-diligence findings, financing, guarantees and completion conditions, then coordinate development, lease, management, franchise and operating documents.

04

Complete, develop and protect the investment

We support closing, registrations, lender conditions, construction and fit-out interfaces, licensing, opening, operator transitions, asset management, refinancing, disputes and exit.

Information for an initial sector assessment

  • Property, hotel, resort, serviced-apartment or tourism asset and intended use
  • Seller, investors, lenders, acquisition vehicle and proposed deal structure
  • Title, cadastral, planning, building-permit and environmental documents
  • Existing leases, concessions, licences, operating and service agreements
  • Purchase, financing, development, construction and fit-out documentation
  • Hotel management, franchise, lease, branding and technical-services agreements
  • Acquisition, renovation, opening, refinancing or exit deadline

Questions about hospitality & real estate in Italy

Can a foreign investor buy commercial property or a hotel in Italy?

Yes, subject to the investor's status, the chosen ownership structure and the characteristics of the asset. The analysis should address title, planning and cadastral conformity, tax and financing structure, intended use, licences, existing contracts and any reciprocity or regulatory issue.

What does Italian real estate due diligence cover?

A legal review normally covers ownership, mortgages and liens, easements, leases, cadastral records, planning and building compliance, permits, environmental matters, third-party rights, disputes and contracts affecting the asset. The scope is tailored to the intended acquisition and operation.

Is it better to acquire an Italian property or the company that owns it?

The choice between an asset deal and share deal depends on title, liabilities, contracts, financing, tax, licences, employees and the investor's exit strategy. A share acquisition requires corporate and business due diligence in addition to the property review.

Do you negotiate hotel management and franchise agreements in Italy?

Yes. We advise owners, investors and operators on management, franchise, lease, technical-services and branding agreements, including fees, performance tests, owner approvals, budgets, capital expenditure, employment, IP, data, termination and transition arrangements.

What should be checked before developing or renovating a hotel in Italy?

The review should confirm planning designation, building permissions, heritage or landscape constraints, environmental requirements, access and utilities, fire and safety requirements, hospitality classification and licences, construction interfaces and the compatibility of the intended operating model.

Can you assist with commercial leases and property disputes in Italy?

Yes. We advise on lease negotiation, rent and guarantees, permitted use, works, service charges, assignment, termination and handback, as well as title, defects, delay, landlord-tenant, development and operating disputes.

Confirm the asset can support the investment and operating plan.

Share the property, deal structure, due-diligence documents and intended hospitality model. We will identify the Italian property-law, planning, financing, development and operating issues that should be resolved before the next commitment.

Discuss an Italian property or hotel investment