The Municipal Property Tax (IMI) may again weigh heavily on the budget of many owners in 2026, even if the rate applied by the municipality where you live remains exactly the same as the previous year. The reason lies in a technical detail, barely visible at first glance, but with a direct impact on the amount payable: the update of the price per square meter used in calculating the tax.
After three consecutive years without any change, the price per square meter for IMI purposes will increase in 2026. According to DECO PROteste, this value increases from the current 665 euros to 712.50 euros, reflecting an automatic update provided for by law.
This base price results from a 25% increase to the average construction cost per square meter, which for 2026 was set at 570 euros. The formula is simple, but the impact can be significant, especially on properties subject to evaluation or revaluation.
Why this increase can increase the IMI
According to the consumer protection organization, this new value does not only apply to new homes. It is also included in the accounts whenever a property is subject to expansion, reconstruction works or when the owner requests a reassessment of the tax asset value from January 1, 2026.
In practice, this means that the IMI can increase across the board, even in municipalities that decide to keep rates unchanged compared to 2025. The simple fact that the base value per square meter is higher is enough to increase the tax.
What is IMI, after all, and how is it calculated?
IMI is levied on the tax asset value of properties held in the previous year. Therefore, the tax paid in 2026 is based on properties that were owned by the taxpayer on December 31, 2025, recalls DECO PROteste, cited by the same publication.
To arrive at the final value, the Tax Authority multiplies the tax asset value of the property by the IMI rate defined by the respective municipality. In the case of urban buildings, these rates remain legally between 0.3% and 0.45%.
Municipal taxes may remain the same, but the bill will rise
Even if the city council where you live decides not to change the IMI rate in 2026, this does not prevent the tax from increasing. According to DECO PROteste, the increase in the price per square meter directly influences the calculation of the tax asset value, which serves as the basis for the final bill.
This is where many owners are surprised, since the increase is not the result of a local political decision, but of a technical mechanism provided for in legislation.
Are there ways to pay less IMI?
Some municipalities continue to apply reductions in IMI depending on the composition of the household. Families with dependent children can benefit from automatic tax discounts, as long as the situation is duly communicated to the Tax Authority.
Furthermore, requesting a revaluation of the property may, in certain cases, result in a reduction in the IMI, especially when the asset value does not reflect the age of the building or its real characteristics. However, with the new price per square meter in effect, this decision must be considered carefully.
What to pay attention to in the coming months
The updated price per square meter comes into force in 2026, but its effects may last over time, especially as more properties are revalued. According to , this is one of the most relevant variables in calculating IMI and one of the least understood by taxpayers.
To avoid surprises, following your municipality’s decisions, checking whether you are entitled to family reductions and understanding how the tax asset value of your property is calculated can make a difference in the final bill.
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