A holiday home in Italy as a family project: the good and the bad

For many families, a holiday home in Italy is much more than just a place to spend their next holiday. It is an idea full of emotion: a lifelong dream that spans generations, a shared refuge, an investment that comes from the heart, a place for memories and reunions. This is especially true when families live far apart. We need shared spaces where they can all get together.

A house in Tuscany, Sicily or on the Ligurian coast that belongs to everyone offers just that: regular family get-togethers in a Mediterranean setting, cultural experiences for the children and, finally, a reliable investment that has personal significance. But as great as the idea is, a project like this brings opportunities, but also problems and challenges. In this article, you will find out how a holiday home can be a successful family project, what you should pay attention to and why planning is the key to lasting family happiness.

(H2) A holiday home is a great way for families to spend time together

Buying a holiday home as a family is more than just an investment. It is a decision to spend time together, share experiences and create new bonds. When several generations come together to build a house in Italy, the result is a project that has both emotional value and practical benefits.

First, everyone involved – parents, children, grandparents – does what they can, whether that’s with money, helping to organise things or with ideas. This strengthens relationships and creates new ways for people to talk to each other. An object becomes a project, and an investment becomes a family bond.

The holiday home is also a place where people can meet each other. In a busy everyday life and far away from home, it becomes very important for holidays, long weekends, celebrations and unexpected visits. Children discover new ways of life, learn Italian through play, and the family creates its own piece of the world that connects them – across generations.

In the long term, the house can even help you to see new possibilities in life. It could be used as a retirement home, a place to relax or as a base to gently leave working life. This makes a holiday home an investment in the future and quality of life.

(H2) Who pays what: Exploring different ways to pay

It is very important to have a clear and fair way of paying for things so that nobody can argue about the money. Depending on the family situation, there are different options. One option is to divide it equally into thirds between grandparents, parents and adult children. Another option is to split it based on how much money each person has and how often they use it.

Having a joint account for the project makes things clearer. From there, you can easily arrange any extra purchases, renovations and ongoing costs. Or you can agree on regular contributions. For example, you could base this on income, how long someone is staying, or other agreements.

But money alone is not enough: the question of ownership is more important. Should all the people involved be listed in the land register? Or does one person take charge of buying it and give the others the right to use it or benefit from it?

All these options will have consequences. These will be legal, financial and emotional. So, it’s a good idea to get legal advice early on. Ideally, you’ll want a lawyer who speaks German and knows a lot about Italian property law, and you’ll also need a notary to make sure everything’s official. This is the only way to make sure that good intentions lead to fair and lasting solutions.

(H2) Italian law: spotting problems early on

Italian property law is different from German law, especially when more than one family member buys property together. For example, if you want to make structural changes or let the property, all members must agree. This can be more complicated in everyday life than it seems.

Inheritance law is a particularly sensitive issue: if a co-owner dies, their share automatically passes to their legal heirs. Depending on the family situation, this can lead to unexpected changes in who owns what, and potential arguments – especially if everyone involved is not in agreement.

You also need to be careful when it comes to taxes. If more than one person uses the property as a home, this can affect how much it is worth. It can also affect the taxes and other costs involved. There are also special reporting and tax rules for letting obligations.

So, when you buy something, it’s important to have a clear legal basis in place. You can do this with a co-ownership agreement, a utilisation agreement, or sometimes by setting up a family company. In this area, ItalicaHomes works with specialised partners who develop solutions that follow the law and are suitable for families.

(H2) Practical tip: Rent out yes – but in an organised way

A holiday home that is shared is often empty for some weeks. Why not make the most of your time and earn some extra money by renting it out?

Many families decide to rent out their homes using websites such as ItalicaRentals, Airbnb or Booking.com. The money then goes straight into the company’s savings, day-to-day expenses or plans for modern improvements. To make sure that renting doesn’t become a problem, it’s important to make clear agreements in advance.

• Who will oversee the organisation?
• How will the money be shared out?
• Are there any times when the place is closed for private use, for example during the summer holidays?
• Who will be responsible for the cleaning: a cleaning company or an agency?

People should also think about the tax implications. If you rent out a property in Italy, you must register with the local authority as a holiday landlord. You also must pay a guest tax and tax on your income.

Local agencies or providers such as ItalicaRentals offer professional solutions, take care of the handover, communicate with guests and clean the property. This ensures that guests have a stress-free experience and can enjoy the financial benefits.

(H2) To achieve harmony, it is important to have clear rules

The idea of living with someone new can be romantic, but it’s important to remember that people from different generations have different expectations. Who lives in the house and when? Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs? What happens if they can’t agree?

This is why it’s important to talk openly. Questions like these should be answered before you buy:

• Who is allowed to use the house, and when?
• Are there any special times when families can go on holiday and get priority?
• What will happen with any changes that are made at the last minute?
• Who is responsible for looking after the house, garden and repairs?

Many families work with occupancy plans or calendar week rotations. Others decide on fixed times or new times each year. The most important thing is that everyone must think the arrangements are fair. It is also important to review and change the arrangements regularly.

A good way to get the family together is to have a meeting once a year at home. You can talk about things that you want, things you’re not sure about, or things you need that you haven’t been able to find. If you are open and honest from the start, you will avoid problems later and make it easier for everyone to get along in the long term.

(H3) Five key things that will help you succeed:

• A shared vision: Why do we want this building, and what will we use it for?
• Financing that is clear and easy to understand Who pays what, and how is it organised?
• Legal protection: Explain who owns what, how property is passed on to the next generation, and how taxes are calculated as soon as possible.
• Binding agreements: Make it clear what the use is, what the tasks are and how the letting works.
• Open communication: talking regularly and being willing to make changes.

(H2) Conclusion: A project that matters to you with a clear plan and real meaning.

A holiday home in Italy is a great idea. It is a wonderful way to spend time together and create memories. It can also help you to connect with each other and make plans. But to turn a dream into a real project, you need clear agreements, a step-by-step plan and professional help.

If you want to go down this path with your family, we will be happy to go with you. ItalicaHomes can help you with everything to do with buying a property in Italy. We have lots of experience and can help you with finding the right property, the legal side of things and any other questions you might have. This is how a dream becomes a home, both today and for future generations.