One of the most common questions we get from American buyers: “Do I have to fly to Italy to close?” No — not if you set up a power of attorney (procura) correctly.
What it is. A procura is a legal document authorizing a specific person — usually your lawyer, or someone your lawyer trusts — to sign documents in Italy on your behalf, within limits you set. It can be as narrow as “sign this one compromesso” or broader, covering the full purchase through to the rogito.
How to sign it from the US. You can execute a procura at an Italian consulate in the US, or sign it in front of a US notary and have it apostilled, depending on the consulate’s requirements and timing. Your lawyer should draft the exact wording before you sign anything — a badly worded procura can limit what your representative is actually allowed to do.
What stays the same. Due diligence, contract review, negotiation — none of that changes. You’re still involved in every decision; you’re just not the one physically signing in front of the notary.
Buying remotely is common — it just has to be set up properly from day one. Talk to us about your specific timeline.