Owning a private pool is a dream for many homeowners in Italy.
According to the National Council for Economics and Labour (CNEL), piscine private are a growing trend in the country, with around 156,000 across the peninsula (one for every 850 inhabitants) as of late 2023 - a figure expected to grow by three percent by 2026.
Besides being a nice thing to have in and of itself, installing a pool is a savvy move if you're planning to sell your property in the future, as it can add as much as 10 to 15 percent to its value.
But before you grab a spade and get digging, there are some factors you need to consider.
Project and maintenance costs
You can expect to spend between €20,000 and €35,000 to install a private below-ground pool, according to Italian property website Idealista – though prices could be as high as €50,000 for the most high-end models.
Once it's built, you'll also need to consider the costs of maintaining your pool, including filtration systems, cleaning products and equipment, and the cost of water itself.
These can vary significantly depending on where you live, as they depend on local factors such as water and electricity rates; however, most pool companies suggest a ballpark figure of around €1,500 per year.
Planning permission
Before you break ground, you'll want to make sure you have the go-ahead from the relevant authorities. Starting construction before you've secured the necessary permits could turn out to be a very costly error.
In Italy, building regulations and planning permissions are within the purview of municipal authorities, so you'll need to find out exactly what rules your own comune (town council) has in place.
In general, though, you'll need one of two types of document to get started:
- If the pool is going to take up more than 20 percent of the space on your property, you'll need a permesso di costruire, or construction permit.
- If the pool is going to take up 20 percent or less of the space on your property, you can file a 'Declaration of the Commencement of Activity', known as a Scia (Segnalazione Certificata di Inizio Attività) or DIA (Dichiarazione di Inizio Attività).
While a permesso di costruire must be issued by your comune, the DIA/SCIA requires only 'tacit consent' - that is, if you don't hear back from the authorities within 30 days of filing it, you have de facto permission to build.
The application must be filed with the comune by a qualified engineer or architect based on their technical evaluations.
READ ALSO: Six surprising Italian building laws that you might not know about
Once the works are completed, you'll need to supply a 'Declaration of Conformity' (Dichiarazione di Conformità) confirming that the final project matches your proposal.
Note that the above applies to below-ground pools, or piscine interrate. If you just want to install an above-ground pool kit in your garden, no permit should be required - though it's always worth checking with your comune first.
Taxes and charges
VAT (IVA in Italian) levied on new pools generally ranges from 10 percent to 22 percent depending on the pool size and property type, though in some rare cases it can be as low as four percent.
It's important to note that if the surface area of your pool is more than 80 square metres, your property will automatically be bumped up into the government's casa di lusso or 'luxury home' category for tax purposes, meaning you'll pay the 22 percent VAT rate and be liable to pay additional taxes going forward.
In particular, homes that fall under this category are subject to the IMU property tax even if they are your primary residence (usually property owners living in Italy only have to pay IMU on second homes).
READ ALSO: IMU: Who has to pay Italy’s property tax?
To be considered a luxury home, a property must meet at least four of a number of criteria relating to things like size, building materials, and amenities, which include having a pool of any size - so it's worth checking that installing even a small pool won't bump you into this bracket.
Safety and insurance
Italy is arguably lax when it comes to pool safety regulations, with none currently in place for private pools (something the beach publication Mondo Balneare describes as a "gross error of judgement" given that the vast majority of drowning victims in domestic pools are children).
That means it's up to you to ensure your pool is as safe as possible for any potential users, especially children.
Italy's Higher Health Institute (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) recommends taking various measures to secure your pool, including:
- Fencing off the pool on all sides
- Using a pool cover when not in use
- Covering suction pumps with safety grates.
You'll also want to make sure you have liability insurance to cover accidents around the pool.
READ ALSO: What insurance is available for owners of holiday lets in Italy?
Second-home owners whose property has a pool will need a special policy that covers the home as a holiday home.
If you let out your home while you are away - or even just allow friends and family to come and stay - you must also ensure that your policy provides cover for death, injury or damage to a third party on or near your property.
Find the latest news, important information, and practical advice about owning property in Italy in The Local's property section.
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