Version 1, 5 October 2026.
You can buy, sell or inherit in Italy without travelling, if you give a power of attorney (procura). The deed is still signed at the Studio in Naples, by the person you appoint.
Two routes in the UK
If you are an Italian citizen, you can sign at the Italian Consulate: the document is in Italian and needs nothing else. The London Consulate asks for an appointment and a draft prepared by a notary in Italy, in Word format. If you are not Italian, or cannot get an appointment, you sign before a UK notary public.
After a UK notary public
The notary’s signature is legalised with an apostille from the Legalisation Office of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The document then needs a sworn translation into Italian. Please check with us before choosing an e-Apostille.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a different document
It is designed for English law and for decisions about health and finances. For a deed in Italy, we prepare a specific power of attorney with the property, the price and the exact powers.
Not like conveyancing in England
There is no exchange of contracts and completion. In Italy there is usually a preliminary contract (compromesso) and then the final deed (rogito), signed before the notary. The notary is a public official acting for both parties: not your solicitor.
After Brexit
UK citizens living outside Italy are checked for reciprocity before the signing date is set. The European Certificate of Succession is not used in the UK.
What to do next
Tell us your citizenship and where you live. Wait for our draft before booking the Consulate or a notary public. The most common questions are answered on Living abroad and need a notary in Italy? The 15 most common questions.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Get your document legalised
- Italian Consulate General in London, power of attorney for property
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reciprocity country list
- Law No. 89 of 16 February 1913, art. 55 (interpreter), Normattiva
Contact
Studio Notarile Marco Fiorentino, Viale Antonio Gramsci 19, 80122 Naples, Italy. Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm (Italian time). Phone +39 352 273 7467 · segreteria@notaiofiorentinomarco.com · appointment calendar.
General information, the same for everyone: it does not replace a review of the documents in your case.