Issues with reflexive verbs and si passivante

I’ll explain my current knowledge for context.

Given there is 3 main types of verbs, namely, action (transitive or intransitive), linking (e.g to be, to become), and modal (or helping verbs).

Firstly, I understand that we use the si passivante when talking impersonally about an action on a noun. For example, "la porta si apre" (the door opened). We do not know who opened it but certainly that the action occurred. Clearly the si passivante is only applicable to transitive verbs. Hence, Linking verbs do not have a si passivante form I’ll explain why this point is relevant.

My first question is that is it necessarily true in Italian that reflexive forms of verbs are actually standalone verbs unlike in English? Furthermore does a verb change form when transformed into the reflexive? For example the verb trovare is a transitive verb however the reflexive form trovarsi which means roughly to be located is a linking verb (although I could be wrong).

In the sentence "L’Italia si trova in Europa" is this the si passivante form of "trovare" or the reflexive?

Hope my questions make sense, any help will be appreciated.