European Union: Real Estate and Construction

Italy is one of the world's most desirable destinations for purchasing a second home or making a real estate investment. However, many international buyers are unaware of one of the biggest risks involved in the Italian property market: illegal building works (abusi edilizi).

On 8 June 2026, Law 5306/2026 was published, ratifying the new Spatial Planning and Urban Development Code1 (the Code). The Code comprises 477 Articles and consolidates 181 separate legislative instruments — some dating back to the 1923 decree on city plans — into a single, coherent and systematically organized text.

The Irish High Court has clarified the extent to which commercial property owners can use force to regain possession of their premises. In a case involving a warehouse sale following loan default and receivership, the court examined whether breaking glass and cutting through steel shutters constituted lawful recovery of property. The decision provides important guidance on the boundaries between legitimate property recovery and unlawful forcible entry.