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You have already had some great comments here - but I'd like to add that "the estate agent" is naturally going to downplay renovation costs - he wants you to buy the 'ruin'! That is a given. But also be aware that geometras want to wedge you (as a foreigner) into a 'gold plated' job. And also be aware that ½ûÂþÌìÌà 'restoration' projects do not involve plasterboard and Wickes standard windows. If you keep your head on your shoulders, (and hopefully have had experience of commissioning architects in the UK - no, I thought not!) - it maybe will work out okay - but getting through to a third party your aspirations, in a language you perhaps don't understand completely, in a legislative environment of which you understand little: well, it is challenging. Not to say you shouldn't go for it - but it can't be done if you are on a fixed budget (IMO).

I completely go along with the advice to contact a reliable 'cross border' tax advisor. I have no idea about tax on rental property, but the tax regime has massively changed for people resident in Italy for fiscal years 2009 2010. If you are resident in Italy you are deemed to be liable to pay tax in Italy on your worldwide income. For sure the agreement on 'dual taxation' is in place, so pensions etc. are basically unaffected, (so long as they are paid after UK tax has been deducted.) But the suggestion that 'keeping your head under the parapet' will work anymore is just dreaming on. If you are resident in Italy and have any income from anywhere  (EU or otherwise)  - the Agenzia will be after you. The law is written in such a way that (if you have claimed residency) you will have a massive hill to climb to escape from their clutches. So - maybe this explains why many people are getting letters from the agenzia delle entrate. I repeat - if affects you, get some reliable advice. There is a person, who I have not heard anything bad about, called Michael J Murphy (you could google his name). He is (allegedly) not inexpensive, but maybe he knows his stuff.

I don't think it is affecting Italy yet, this volcanic ash, but one of the 'plusses' is that the particles in the atmosphere make sunserts really wonderful - and perhaps keeping an eye out for the moon in glorious technicolor is something to remember this week!

The issuing of these cards is certainly local, but maybe searching on an ASL site and finding something authoratitive about the five year thing which you could print out and show to the locals might get you somewhere. I'm coming at this from a non-employed non pensioner perspective, and maybe I have missed something relevant to an employed person - but as far as I know if you've been here five years you are a straightforward 'assistito' as far as ASL are concerned.

I don't quite know what your yellow card is - but maybe it's like my green card: a specifically ASL bit of cardboard - rather than the plastic tessera. I had need to replace my plastic tessera recently, and the local ASL said here is a bit of cardboard. I said - "but that is not as good as plastic" - they said "it is far better - this cardboard one shows who your medico is, and also shows your address". Good point, thought I, live with it! Are you an EU citizen, lived in Italy for less than five years? If so, that could explain the contract of employment stuff. Once you've been here (and registered for health care) for five years you are in the clear (healthwise) even if you don't work again.

I was, although not offended, rather disturbed by 'the tastelessness' of sprostoni's original 'joke'. If you like to read it that way, it offends both Zionists and Christians: but since it doesn't involve Islamists I suppose it is okay by today's standards.

It is really wonderful that the users devoted to (or stuck with) the 'default' PC browser are now able to initialise a thread. How long did it take to fix this - more than three months? Ma dai...

The difficulty with growing apples and pears in much of Italy is that the winter is not severe enough - so being a bit higher is useful! (I don't know whether this 'cold winter' requirement is about avoiding using pesticides/fungicides, because there are loads of apple growers at 'low' altitudes, but they don't half spray - to the extent that warning notices are posted on adjacent roads...or if it something else.) Raspberries are rarely grown, but this is probably a cultural thing. I have a friend who grows them (at about 300m slm) and he laments the amount of irrigation they need. But, aside from fruit growing considerations - could you cope? 900slm can be pretty restrictive November through February: think snow chains or complete isolation. Before you take the plunge make sure you live there for at least a month in the 'brutta stagione'.

Here is another attempt at a link - if it doesn't work just go to and search on ½ûÂþÌìÌà Gardens, the article will be the first hit.

Capo Boi and alanh have made some sensible comments - but even given a "static" exchange rate it is a struggle to make money (short/medium term) on an ½ûÂþÌìÌà 'house deal'. Renovation costs in Italy (partly to do with legislation, also to do with attuitude, and fundamentals of construction) are massively higher than in the UK. (You simply can't just 'flash it up' with a bit of plasterboard!) Add to that the 'stamp duty' - 10% if it is not going to be your main home - and also the plusvalenza (GCT) which (again, if it is not your main home) means you have to hang onto the property for five years, and you end up struggling to find any profit in it. Also you should be aware that the '½ûÂþÌìÌà Property Market' is considerably less liquid than in the UK. However, as a fun venture, maybe it would suit you! It's always better to follow your heart than your  head - innit. Go for it if it fulfils a dream.