Cadastral categories represent a system for classifying properties based on their intended use.
This classification is essential within the Land Registry, as it determines the cadastral income, a parameter used as the taxable base for calculating property-related taxes.
Understanding which cadastral category a property belongs to is crucial for various transactions, including sales and purchases, inheritance, rentals, renovations, or requesting tax benefits.
In this article, you will discover what cadastral categories are, how they are organized, and how to identify the cadastral category of a property.
Cadastral Categories: What Are They?
Cadastral categories represent a system for classifying buildings—legally defined as “properties”—adopted by the Land Registry to determine cadastral income, which in turn forms the taxable base for property taxes, including IMU (municipal property tax). Each cadastral category is identified by a letter followed by a number (e.g., A/1, C/2, D/10), where the letter indicates the group and the number specifies the subcategory.
Ordinary-use properties (Groups A, B, C) serve residential, commercial, administrative, or social purposes:
• Group A includes various types of residences, offices and private studios, as well as historic or artistically significant castles and palaces.
• Group B comprises buildings for public services or collective interest, such as schools, hospitals, public offices, barracks, and convents.
• Group C covers properties for commercial or artisanal activities, including shops, workshops, warehouses, laboratories, beach facilities, and garages.
Group D properties are classified as special-purpose properties, dedicated to productive, recreational, or service functions, with specific features or purposes. This includes factories, hotels, theaters, nursing homes, banks, gyms, stables, and more.
Group E contains particular-purpose properties, which serve public or general interest functions and have unique characteristics. Examples include bridges, power or water plants, stadiums and parks, churches, hospitals, and schools.
Group F is dedicated to urban entities, which are not buildings but are still subject to cadastral registration. This includes land, building plots, courtyards, and parking areas.
For a full list, you can consult the official website of the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate).
How and Where to Find the Cadastral Category of a Property
A property’s cadastral category directly affects its value and taxation and allows you to verify that it corresponds to its actual use.
There are several methods and documents to find a property’s cadastral category:
Cadastral Report (Visura Catastale)
The cadastral report provides a complete overview of the property, including its cadastral category, cadastral income, surface area, floor, number of rooms, and owner information.
You can request it online through the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) or other authorized portals, at the offices of the Revenue Agency or provincial Land Registries, or through a professional such as a surveyor, architect, or notary.
Notarial Deed, Sales Contract, or Inheritance Declaration
The notarial deed—the document prepared by a notary to formalize the transfer of property (whether through sale, donation, exchange, or other)—also includes cadastral data. It can be obtained from the notary who drafted the deed or from the relevant notarial archive.
If the property was transferred through a sale, you can also request the sales contract from the real estate agency that handled the transaction, or directly from the seller or buyer. All cadastral details, including the property category, are included there.
If the property was transferred following the death of the owner, you can find the cadastral category in the inheritance declaration. It can be requested from the Revenue Agency or through professionals such as lawyers, accountants, or notaries.
These documents represent the main sources for obtaining a property’s cadastral category. However, it is important to verify that the cadastral data is up to date and accurate, as it may vary depending on declarations made by the owners or professionals.
For greater certainty, it is recommended to obtain an updated cadastral report or consult the cadastral map, which provides a detailed layout of the property, including dimensions, boundaries, and related areas.
To be fully prepared for the notarial deed and have all the necessary documents for your property transaction, check out our complete checklist!
