You do not need to be in Italy to buy a house, sell a horse or sign a company document. With a power of attorney (procura), someone you trust can sign on your behalf, within the limits you set. MILICIA LEX drafts the document, guides you through signing it abroad and, where appropriate, can act as your representative in Italy.
When you need one
- Property: buying or selling a home or land, signing the preliminary contract and the notary deed.
- Horses: buying, selling or transferring a horse, and handling the related documents.
- Inheritance: accepting or renouncing an inheritance, and managing or selling inherited property.
- Companies: setting up a company, attending shareholders’ meetings, signing corporate documents.
- Everyday matters: obtaining a codice fiscale, dealing with banks, utilities and public offices.
Special or general power of attorney?
- Special power of attorney (procura speciale): for one specific transaction, for example the purchase of a particular property. It is the most common and the safest choice.
- General power of attorney (procura generale): covers a wider range of acts over time. It is useful when you have ongoing interests in Italy, but it requires a high level of trust.
How to sign it from abroad
- I draft the text in Italian, with an English translation, so you know exactly what you are authorising.
- You sign it either at an Italian consulate, or before a local notary in your country, with an apostille under the Hague Convention (or legalisation, where the apostille does not apply).
- The document is sent to Italy and, where required, deposited with an Italian notary before it is used.
- Your representative signs on your behalf, and I keep you informed at every step.
For acts such as the purchase or sale of property, the power of attorney must have the same formal requirements as the act itself. That is why the exact wording and the way it is signed matter.
Why it matters
A badly drafted power of attorney can be rejected by the notary or limit what your representative is allowed to do, causing delays at the last minute. Getting it right from the start saves time, travel and money.
Read more in the guide: Power of Attorney: Buying Property in Italy Without Flying Over.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice.
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