Many La Gazzetta Italiana readers dream of buying property in Italy. It was my dream too, and I have never once regretted my decision to do it. However, with the dream comes legendary Italian bureaucracy, demonstrated in this little, ironic tale!

When I bought my apartamentino in the Veneto 11 years ago, I was advised to open a bank account so that all my utility bills could be paid by direct debit. Otherwise, as I discovered, every time I presented a bill for payment, I had to pay €1.50 tax just for the pleasure of paying it. My neighbors kindly informed me that Banco Posta was the