Italy
Western & Southern Europe12 independent articlesTuscan farmhouses, lakes and the Amalfi Coast — plus €1 village-home schemes.
Italy offers extraordinary depth of prestige and rural charm: Tuscany and Umbria farmhouses, the northern lakes (Como, Garda), the Amalfi/Positano coast and Alpine Cortina. Foreigners buy freely (reciprocity rule, satisfied for most Western nations). Short-let yields can be high in tourist cities, and famous €1/low-cost home schemes exist in depopulating villages for renovation buyers.
Can foreigners buy?
Open to most foreigners (reciprocity applies; fine for US/UK/EU). Notarial deed system; mortgages available to non-residents.
Taxes & buying costs
Registration/purchase taxes ~2–9% (higher for second homes/non- residents); annual IMU on second homes; flat 21–26% option on short- let income (cedolare secca).
What makes it unique
The world's densest concentration of scenic heritage property, from lakes to vineyards to coast.
1
Most prestigious places to own
Lake Como (Bellagio, Tremezzina)
Storied villa shoreline beloved by global celebrities.
€2m–€30m+
Lakefront villa
Amalfi Coast (Positano, Ravello)
Vertiginous cliff-side prestige.
€1.5m–€15m+
Cliffside villa
Portofino & Forte dei Marmi
Ligurian/Tuscan-coast glamour enclaves.
€2m–€20m
Coastal villa / apartment
2
Best income potential from vacation renting
Florence, Rome, Venice
Heritage-city short-lets with strong tourism ADRs.
€400k–€1.5m
6–10% gross (STR)
Historic-centre apartment
Puglia (Salento)
Trulli and masserie in Italy's fast-rising heel.
€250k–€1.2m
6–9% gross
Trullo / masseria
Lake Garda
Family-tourism lake with deep rental demand.
€350k–€1.5m
5–8% gross
Lake-view apartment
3
Picturesque farms & rural tourism properties
Tuscany (Chianti, Val d'Orcia)
Iconic farmhouse-and-vineyard country; agriturismo income.
€800k–€10m
Agriturismo / wine
Restored farmhouse / vineyard
Umbria & Le Marche
'The next Tuscany' at lower cost; olive and wine estates.
€400k–€3m
Olive/wine / agriturismo
Country estate
Piedmont (Langhe)
Barolo wine hills; truffle-and-wine tourism.
€600k–€5m
Wine / truffle tourism
Vineyard estate
Thinking of living there?
Italy residency and citizenship guide
Visas, work permits and the routes to a passport — separate from buying.
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Indicative 2025–26 planning bands for screening only, not quotes and not advice. Holiday-let licensing, tax and foreign-buyer rules change frequently — confirm locally with a lawyer and tax adviser before buying.