How much tax is paid on residential rentals?

Italy has progressive tax rates. If you lease residential real estate on a regular basis you need to declare your total annual rental income every year. If this amount does not exceed € 15,000 per year, it is taxed at 23% plus 2% of the annual rent. If the annual rental income is greater than € 75,000, it is taxed at 43% plus 2% of the total annual rent. However, paying less tax is possible: for example, when registering a rental contract with the cedolare secca option, the tax rate is fixed at 21% of the annual rent. And on a comodato d'uso contract, no tax is paid because this type of agreement implies a temporary provision of housing for free.

What is the property purchase payment process?

According to Italian law, non-residents must open a local bank account and transfer the full property purchase amount to it. In addition, 10% of the deposit must be paid by bank cheque. When the notarial act is issued, the bank will issue a cheque with the remaining amount to the seller.

What documents are required to buy property in Sicily?

Passport; Marriage certificate or premarital agreement; Tax identification code – codice fiscale (on request from an Italian consulate in the applicant's home country or the local tax authorities).

Which regions of Italy offer the cheapest property prices?

It’s possible to buy a one-bedroom apartment for about € 60,000 in the city of Pizzo (Calabria) and from € 105,000 in the region of Abruzzo.

How much does it cost to maintain real estate in Sicily?

Residential property maintenance costs comprise three parts: tax, utilities, and insurance. Italy introduced a unique communal property tax called imposta unica comunale (IUC) on January 01, 2014. It is calculated on three taxes: Municipal property tax (imposta municipale unica, IMU). It is levied at 0.76% but not on the real estate used as primary residence; Waste tax (TARI) – about € 100; Municipal tax for road maintenance, street lighting, and so on. On average, the tax on an 85 m² apartment is about € 850 per year. As for utility payments, they depend on the property. Anywhere between € 200-5,000 per annum for an apartment, depending on its size, while a villa with a swimming pool will be somewhere between € 1,200-6,000 per annum. The insurance fee depends on a property’s value and usually ranges from € 300-2,000 per annum (usually 1–2% of the property value)

Can Italian citizenship be obtained through buying real estate?

Property owners do not automatically become Italian citizens. It is necessary to live in the country for at least 10 years before becoming eligible for citizenship.

Which regions of Italy are the most promising for investing in real estate?

The most advantageous regions in terms of property investment are Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria thanks to the well-developed infrastructure, which fuels price growth.

What is the process for the transaction closure?

To start, you need to open an Italian bank account and obtain a tax identification code. After that, a deposit is paid to reserve the property. The sum of the deposit is 1% of the purchase amount. Next, a sales agreement is signed. If the transaction closure is particularly time-consuming, a preliminary agreement with a deposit of as much as 10–30% can be signed. The final sales agreement is processed at a notary office. The agreement is also officially registered with Italy’s Real Estate Registration Department. The payment can be made in two ways: by a cheque or via a direct transfer of funds from the buyer’s bank account. After this is sorted, the new owner will receive the keys, sales agreement, and property register extract.

Do foreigners pay the same property taxes as Italians?

Yes, in Italy the taxes for residents and non-residents are the same. If buying a new-build you will have to pay: VAT — 4% of the property value; Fixed registration tax — € 200; Fixed mortgage tax — € 200; Fixed cadastral tax — € 200; For an existing property you will have to pay: Fixed registration tax — 9% of the property value (€ 1,000 at least); Fixed mortgage tax — € 50; Fixed registration tax — € 50. Owners pay a communal tax of up to 10.6%. Income tax for individuals is between 23–43%.

Are there any extra costs related to the purchase of real estate in Sicily?

Yes, in addition to the expenses mentioned above there are a number of additional costs. For example, the payment of notary fees at 2–4% of the property's assessed value. This includes: Cadastral tax and a mortgage instalment – € 50 or € 200 depending on the buyer's residence permit availability; State duty – € 230; property tax – € 24.71; State register inscription fee – € 90; Notary fee – about 1–2.5% (for properties priced between € 300,000-1M the fee is € 5,000-7,000).

Can non-residents obtain a residential mortgage loan in in Sicily?

Yes, but it is difficult to do so. Non-residents must have lived in Italy for at least two years and in some cases for five years. The income must be euro or dollar -denominated.

What is the process for property title registration in Sicily?

Property title registration involves several stages. Firstly, the parties sign the sales agreement at a notary office. The notary then forwards the information to state agencies: tax authority, cadastre chamber office, and registration chamber. The lead time for documents ranges from a few days to three months, depending on the region where the transaction is closed. Only when all of the registration processes are completed does the buyer receive their original documents.

Property for sale in Sicily: houses and apartments from 180,000 €

Apartment – Trapani (city), Province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy for 495,000 €

Apartment – Trapani (city), Province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy

495,000 €

Total area 365 m²5 bedrooms7 bathrooms

365 m², 5 bedrooms, apartment

Trapani (city), Province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy

495,000 € 1,356 € per m²

In the heart of the historic centre of Trapani, at the extreme tip of the so called ”sickle“, in what is known as the fishermen's... Read more

Townhouse with a patio, San Gregorio di Catania, Sicily, Italy for 330,000 €

Townhouse with a patio, San Gregorio di Catania, Sicily, Italy

330,000 €

Total area 170 m²Land area: 200 m²4 bedrooms2 bathrooms

170 m², 4 bedrooms, terraced house + plot 200 m²

San Gregorio di Catania, Sicily, Italy

330,000 €

The house is located in the city center and features a patio with parking. The townhouse was renovated in 2000. The house... Read more

Residence permit

New apartments with sea views in Nice, Cote d'Azur, France

410,000 €

2 bedrooms 1 bathroom

A magnificent farm-house with a swimming pool and terraces, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy for 800,000 €

A magnificent farm-house with a swimming pool and terraces, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

800,000 €

Total area 2,150 m²Land area: 30,000 m²20 bedrooms16 bathrooms

2,150 m², 20 bedrooms, townhome + plot 30,000 m²

Noto, Sicily, Italy

800,000 €

Buy in Sicily offers the exclusive sale of a Farmhouse of 1834, belonged to the noble Sicilian family of Modica di... Read more

Renovated villa with a private garden, a pool, a terrace and a sea view, Augusta, Italy for 1,100,000 €

Renovated villa with a private garden, a pool, a terrace and a sea view, Augusta, Italy

1,100,000 €

Total area 200 m²Land area: 1,200 m²3 bedrooms2 bathrooms

200 m², 3 bedrooms, villa + plot 1,200 m²

Augusta, Sicily, Italy

1,100,000 €

A one-storey renovated villa with private access to the sea is located on a land area of about 1,200 m² and offers... Read more

A spacious two-storey villa on the beach, Cava d'Aliga, Italy for 580,000 €

A spacious two-storey villa on the beach, Cava d'Aliga, Italy

580,000 €

Total area 950 m²Land area: 1,200 m²16 bedrooms2 bathrooms

950 m², 16 bedrooms, villa + plot 1,200 m²

Scicli, Sicily, Italy

580,000 €

A villa with panoramic sea views and a large plot of land with a stunning garden. The property is perfect for both... Read more

Charming country house surrounded by a large park, Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy for 700,000 €

Charming country house surrounded by a large park, Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy

700,000 €

Total area 250 m²Land area: 180,000 m²3 bedrooms3 bathrooms

250 m², 3 bedrooms, agricultural

Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy

700,000 €

The exclusive sale! A farmhouse surrounded by a 18-hectare park, a few kilometres from the Villa Romana del Casale... Read more

Elegant stone house located in a large green park in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy for 1,500,000 €

Elegant stone house located in a large green park in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy

1,500,000 €

Total area 1,100 m²Land area: 16,000 m²11 bedrooms11 bathrooms

1,100 m², 11 bedrooms, villa + plot 16,000 m²

Piazza Armerina, Sicily, Italy

1,500,000 €

The exclusive sale of an elegant stone farmhouse of about 1000 m², surrounded by a green park of 16 hectares, in a dominant... Read more

Furnished estate with pool and sea view, Syracuse, Italy for 1,900,000 €

Furnished estate with pool and sea view, Syracuse, Italy

1,900,000 €

Total area 350 m²4 bedrooms

350 m², 4 bedrooms, country seat

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

1 floor of 2

1,900,000 €

Art Nouveau estate. The property is surrounded by a large garden with a swimming pool, a small beach. Ground floor... Read more

Two-storey sea view villa with a swimming pool and a garden in a quiet area, Augusta, Italy for 500,000 €

With swimming pool

Two-storey sea view villa with a swimming pool and a garden in a quiet area, Augusta, Italy

500,000 €

Total area 320 m²Land area: 5,000 m²6 bedrooms7 bathrooms

320 m², 6 bedrooms, villa + plot 5,000 m²

Augusta, Sicily, Italy

500,000 €

We offer a villa featuring a swimming pool, spacious terraces, a barbecue area, a single-storey guest house of 50 m²... Read more

Marvelous villa with swimming pool in Valderice, Trapani, Sicily for 800,000 €

Marvelous villa with swimming pool in Valderice, Trapani, Sicily

800,000 €

Total area 320 m²Land area: 1,000 m²3 bedrooms3 bathrooms

320 m², 3 bedrooms, villa + plot 1,000 m²

Valderice, Sicily, Italy

800,000 €

The villa, completely absorbed in a quiet residential zone, not too far the center and from the principal services... Read more

Elegant villa with sea views and a pool, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy for 980,000 €

With swimming pool

Elegant villa with sea views and a pool, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

980,000 €

Total area 600 m²Land area: 3,000 m²8 bedrooms8 bathrooms

600 m², 8 bedrooms, villa + plot 3,000 m²

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

980,000 €

Beautiful villa located within the Plemmirio reserve, a seaside area of the city of Syracuse. The villa is surrounded... Read more

Cottage with garden and olive grove, Noto, Italy for 450,000 €

Cottage with garden and olive grove, Noto, Italy

450,000 €

Total area 195 m²Land area: 39,820 m²1 bedroom1 bathroom

195 m², 1 bedroom, detached house + plot 39,820 m²

Noto, Sicily, Italy

450,000 €

We offer a two-storey cottage, located on a hill. The last date of renovation is 2011. The property includes 4 hectares... Read more

Elegant villa with a swimming pool, surrounded by a lush garden, Floridia, Sicily, Italy for 800,000 €

Elegant villa with a swimming pool, surrounded by a lush garden, Floridia, Sicily, Italy

800,000 €

Total area 215 m²Land area: 10,000 m²4 bedrooms2 bathrooms

215 m², 4 bedrooms, villa + plot 10,000 m²

Floridia, Sicily, Italy

2 floor

800,000 €

The exclusive sale of an elegant villa with swimming pool. The property, located on a plot of about one hectare, is... Read more

Villa on the bay of Portopalo di Menfi for 1,300,000 €

Villa on the bay of Portopalo di Menfi

1,300,000 €

Total area 450 m²Land area: 3,000 m²6 bedrooms5 bathrooms

450 m², 6 bedrooms, villa + plot 3,000 m²

Menfi, Sicily, Italy

1,300,000 €

The villa is surrounded by 3,000 m² of garden with ornamental plants, lawn and a swimming pool provided with hydraulic... Read more

Spacious villa with a terrace and a large garden not far from the city center of Siracusa, Sicilia, Italy for 695,000 €

Spacious villa with a terrace and a large garden not far from the city center of Siracusa, Sicilia, Italy

695,000 €

Total area 595 m²Land area: 710 m²4 bedrooms4 bathrooms

595 m², 4 bedrooms, villa + plot 710 m²

Pachino, Sicily, Italy

695,000 €

A two-storey villa with a terrace and a balcony, built in 1998. Total surface is 360 m². The villa has three levels... Read more

Renovated villa with a swimming pool in a small residence on the sea, Augusta, Italy for 820,000 €

With swimming pool

Renovated villa with a swimming pool in a small residence on the sea, Augusta, Italy

820,000 €

Total area 240 m²Land area: 1,500 m²3 bedrooms3 bathrooms

240 m², 3 bedrooms, villa + plot 1,500 m²

Augusta, Sicily, Italy

820,000 €

We offer a two-storey villa featuring large verandas, a well-kept garden, a swimming pool with a solarium, a summer... Read more

Renovated villa on the first line from the sea, Ispica, Sicily, Italy for 1,600,000 €

With balcony/terrace

Renovated villa on the first line from the sea, Ispica, Sicily, Italy

1,600,000 €

Total area 300 m²Land area: 700 m²4 bedrooms3 bathrooms

300 m², 4 bedrooms, villa + plot 700 m²

Catania, Sicily, Italy

1,600,000 €

An elegant independent villa directly on the sea of Ispica, in the area better known as Porto Ulisse, a small seaside... Read more

New two-storey villa with a panoramic view and a garden at 300 meters from the sea, Brucoli, Italy for 475,000 €

With balcony/terrace

New two-storey villa with a panoramic view and a garden at 300 meters from the sea, Brucoli, Italy

475,000 €

Total area 250 m²Land area: 2,500 m²4 bedrooms2 bathrooms

250 m², 4 bedrooms, villa + plot 2,500 m²

Brucoli, Sicily, Italy

475,000 €

We offer a modern hilltop villa with quality finishing, views of the sea, the Gulf of Catania and Mount Etna, a summer... Read more

Spacious villa with a swimming pool, terraces and a guest house, Taormina, Italy for 530,000 €

With swimming pool

Spacious villa with a swimming pool, terraces and a guest house, Taormina, Italy

530,000 €

Total area 260 m²Land area: 700 m²4 bedrooms5 bathrooms

260 m², 4 bedrooms, villa + plot 700 m²

Taormina, Sicily, Italy

530,000 €

We offer a beautiful well-kept three-storey villa featuring a guest house, a staff house, a swimming pool, large terraces... Read more

Historic estate with a large plot, a swimming pool and a park, Noto, Italy for 1,250,000 €

Historic estate with a large plot, a swimming pool and a park, Noto, Italy

1,250,000 €

Total area 900 m²Land area: 200,000 m²20 bedrooms13 bathrooms

900 m², 20 bedrooms, country seat + plot 200,000 m²

Noto, Sicily, Italy

1,250,000 €

We offer a large estate, consisting of several buildings and a plot of 20 ha, which is used as an agritourism complex... Read more

Two-level apartment with a panoramic view of the sea in the historic center of the city of Syracuse, Italy for 1,550,000 €

Sea view

Two-level apartment with a panoramic view of the sea in the historic center of the city of Syracuse, Italy

1,550,000 €

Total area 430 m²5 bedrooms3 bathrooms

430 m², 5 bedrooms, apartment

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

1 floor of 2

1,550,000 € 3,604 € per m²

We offer a spacious apartment with a terrace and a panoramic sea view in a historic building, constructed in 1700.... Read more

Renovated historic estate with a guest house, a swimming pool and a large garden, Santa Croce Camerina, Italy for 980,000 €

Renovated historic estate with a guest house, a swimming pool and a large garden, Santa Croce Camerina, Italy

980,000 €

Total area 500 m²Land area: 80,000 m²9 bedrooms12 bathrooms

500 m², 9 bedrooms, country seat + plot 80,000 m²

Ragusa, Sicily, Italy

980,000 €

We offer an estate of the traditional square shape, renovated in 2006. The property consists of several traditional... Read more

Villa surrounded by Arabic-Mediterranean garden, few footsteps from Marinella of Selinunte for 1,000,000 €

Villa surrounded by Arabic-Mediterranean garden, few footsteps from Marinella of Selinunte

1,000,000 €

Total area 500 m²Land area: 14,000 m²12 bedrooms12 bathrooms

500 m², 12 bedrooms, villa + plot 14,000 m²

Trapani (city), Province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy

1,000,000 €

The villa, furnished and equipped, offers the comforts of privacy and excellent services. Sets in a few minutes from... Read more

Beautiful villa with pool, Mediterranean garden and sea view, Syracuse, Italy for 980,000 €

With swimming pool

Beautiful villa with pool, Mediterranean garden and sea view, Syracuse, Italy

980,000 €

Total area 600 m²Land area: 3,000 m²8 bedrooms8 bathrooms

600 m², 8 bedrooms, villa + plot 3,000 m²

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

980,000 €

Villa in the Plemmirio Nature Reserve, a coastal area of Syracuse. The villa has a terrace with sea, garden, pool... Read more

Independent villa on three levels dipped in the green, forehead sea, Termini Imerese, Palermo for 1,100,000 €

Independent villa on three levels dipped in the green, forehead sea, Termini Imerese, Palermo

1,100,000 €

Total area 871 m²Land area: 2,700 m²10 bedrooms11 bathrooms

871 m², 10 bedrooms, villa + plot 2,700 m²

Palermo, Sicily, Italy

1,100,000 €

The villa with a base plant of 500 m², develops on three levels for total 1,034 m², and it is composed to three apartments, a small... Read more

Property for sale in Sicily: apartments and houses

FAQ about Sicily

Cafes and restaurants

Shopping

Travel