Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Italy Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Italy Property Pack
Wondering how much it costs to buy a home in Italy in 2026? You're in the right place.
In this guide, we break down current housing prices across Italy, from entry-level apartments to luxury villas, with real numbers and neighborhood comparisons.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest market data, so you always get fresh information.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Italy.
Insights
- The average asking price across Italy in 2026 sits around €2,135 per square meter, but Milan's city center commands over five times that amount at €11,080 per square meter.
- Italian sellers typically accept about 7% to 9% less than their asking price, which means a €200,000 listing often closes closer to €185,000.
- New-build homes in Italy cost 10% to 20% more than existing properties, mainly because buyers pay a premium for energy efficiency and lower renovation risk.
- In Milan, the price gap between the cheapest neighborhood (Bisceglie-Baggio at €3,160 per square meter) and the most expensive (Centro at €11,080) is a factor of 3.5.
- Southern Italy offers entry-level apartments starting around €60,000 to €110,000, while similar-sized units in Milan's popular zones start above €400,000.
- Over the past decade, Italian home prices have risen about 15% to 18% nominally, but after adjusting for inflation, real growth is essentially flat nationwide.
- The typical Italian buyer should budget an extra 10% to 15% on top of the purchase price for taxes, notary fees, and agent commissions.
- About 60% of Italy's residential market consists of apartments, with detached houses making up roughly 25% and the rest split between townhouses and villas.
What is the average housing price in Italy in 2026?
The median housing price is more useful than the average because it shows what a typical buyer actually pays, without being skewed upward by a handful of expensive luxury properties.
We are writing this as of the first half of 2026, using the latest data collected from authoritative Italian sources that we manually verified.
The estimated median housing price in Italy in 2026 is approximately €167,000 (about $195,000 or €167,000), while the average housing price in the Italian market sits higher at around €203,000 (roughly $237,000 or €203,000). The difference reflects how high-end properties in cities like Milan and Rome pull the average upward.
About 80% of residential properties in Italy in 2026 fall within a price range of €95,000 to €261,000 (approximately $111,000 to $305,000).
A realistic entry range for buying property in Italy in 2026 is €60,000 to €110,000 ($70,000 to $129,000), which could get you a 55-square-meter existing apartment in a small southern Italian town like inland Calabria or Sicily, typically in an older building with basic finishes.
Luxury properties in the Italian market in 2026 generally range from €1.2 million to €5 million or more ($1.4 million to $5.9 million+), and at this level you could find a renovated 200-square-meter apartment in Milan's prestigious Brera district or a historic-center unit with concierge service.
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Italy.
Are Italy property listing prices close to the actual sale price in 2026?
In Italy in 2026, buyers typically pay about 6% to 9% less than the original asking price when the sale closes.
This gap exists because Italian sellers often price their homes slightly high to test market demand, and buyers negotiate harder when a property needs renovation work or has energy-efficiency issues. The discount tends to be smaller in competitive markets like Milan and larger in slower-moving areas or for properties requiring significant updates.
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What is the price per sq m or per sq ft for properties in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average housing price in Italy is approximately €2,135 per square meter ($2,500 per square meter) or about €198 per square foot ($232 per square foot). The median sits somewhat lower at around €1,855 per square meter ($2,170 per square meter) or €172 per square foot ($201 per square foot).
Small, renovated apartments in central locations of major Italian cities command the highest price per square meter because buyers pay a premium for location and move-in readiness, while large older homes in rural areas or shrinking towns have the lowest per-square-meter prices due to weaker demand and expected renovation costs.
In Italy in 2026, you would find the highest prices per square meter in Milan's Centro district at around €9,400 to €12,700 per square meter, while the lowest prices appear in Milan's outer zones like Bisceglie-Baggio at roughly €2,680 to €3,630 per square meter. Outside major cities, many southern and inland areas fall well below the national average.
How have property prices evolved in Italy?
Compared to one year ago, Italian housing prices in 2026 are up approximately 3% to 4% in nominal terms. This growth has been driven mainly by limited housing supply in popular areas and stabilizing mortgage conditions that have kept buyer demand steady.
Looking back about 10 years, Italian home prices have risen roughly 15% to 18% in nominal terms since 2015. However, once you account for inflation over that period, real price growth has been essentially flat nationwide, with gains concentrated in major cities like Milan while many smaller towns saw little or no appreciation.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the latest updates on property price variations in Italy.
Finally, if you want to know whether now is a good time to buy a property there, you can check our pack covering everything there is to know about the housing market in Italy.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Italy versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What types of properties are available in Italy and how do their prices compare in 2026?
In Italy in 2026, approximately 60% of residential properties on the market are apartments, about 25% are detached or semi-detached houses, around 10% are townhouses or small multi-family homes, and about 5% are villas or luxury rural estates. This breakdown reflects Italy's urban density and the prevalence of condominium living in cities.
Average price ranges for different property types in Italy as of the first half of 2026 are as follows: studio and one-bedroom apartments (45 to 60 square meters) typically cost €95,000 to €130,000 ($111,000 to $152,000); two to three-bedroom apartments (75 to 100 square meters) range from €160,000 to €250,000 ($187,000 to $293,000); houses (120 to 160 square meters) run €255,000 to €340,000 ($298,000 to $398,000) though this varies greatly by location; and villas or prestige properties start at €1 million ($1.17 million) and go significantly higher.
If you want to know more, you should read our dedicated analyses:
How do property prices compare between existing and new homes in Italy in 2026?
In Italy in 2026, new-build properties typically cost about 10% to 20% more than comparable existing homes, with the premium often higher in major cities where new construction is scarce.
This price difference exists because new homes offer better energy efficiency, modern building standards, and lower future renovation risk, so buyers are willing to pay extra to avoid the surprises and costs that often come with older Italian properties.
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An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
How do property prices vary by neighborhood in Italy in 2026?
In Milan's Garibaldi, Moscova, and Porta Nuova area, you'll find modern renovated apartments popular with professionals and expats, with prices averaging around €9,900 per square meter. A typical 80-square-meter apartment here costs approximately €793,000 ($928,000) because this zone offers excellent transit, international offices, and new-build developments.
Porta Venezia and Indipendenza is a lively neighborhood with good parks and strong rental demand, where prices average about €7,900 per square meter. A 75-square-meter apartment typically costs around €593,000 ($694,000), making it attractive to expats who want central living without the absolute top-tier prices.
The Navigli district is known for its historic canals, vibrant nightlife, and strong rental market, with prices averaging around €6,475 per square meter. A 70-square-meter apartment here costs approximately €453,000 ($530,000), offering lifestyle appeal in older but charming buildings.
You will find a much more detailed analysis by areas in our property pack about Italy. Meanwhile, here is a quick summary table we have made so you can understand how prices change across areas:
| Neighborhood | Character | Avg Price Range (€ and $) | Avg per sqm (€ and $) | Avg per sqft (€ and $) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centro | Luxury / Historic | €560,000 - €758,000 ($655,000 - $886,000) | €9,420 - €12,740 ($11,020 - $14,910) | €875 - €1,185 ($1,025 - $1,385) |
| Arco della Pace, Arena, Pagano | Family / Parks | €468,000 - €634,000 ($547,000 - $742,000) | €7,870 - €10,650 ($9,210 - $12,460) | €730 - €990 ($855 - $1,160) |
| Garibaldi, Moscova, Porta Nuova | Commute / New-build | €501,000 - €679,000 ($586,000 - $794,000) | €8,425 - €11,400 ($9,860 - $13,340) | €785 - €1,060 ($915 - $1,240) |
| Quadronno, Palestro, Guastalla | Quiet Central | €456,000 - €617,000 ($533,000 - $722,000) | €7,670 - €10,380 ($8,975 - $12,145) | €715 - €965 ($835 - $1,130) |
| Porta Venezia, Indipendenza | Popular / Expats | €399,000 - €541,000 ($467,000 - $633,000) | €6,720 - €9,090 ($7,860 - $10,635) | €625 - €845 ($730 - $990) |
| Genova, Ticinese | Popular / Expats | €410,000 - €555,000 ($480,000 - $649,000) | €6,900 - €9,340 ($8,075 - $10,925) | €640 - €870 ($750 - $1,015) |
| Navigli | Popular / Nightlife | €327,000 - €442,000 ($382,000 - $517,000) | €5,500 - €7,445 ($6,440 - $8,710) | €510 - €690 ($600 - $810) |
| Fiera, Sempione, City Life, Portello | Family / Newer | €347,000 - €469,000 ($406,000 - $548,000) | €5,850 - €7,910 ($6,840 - $9,255) | €545 - €735 ($635 - $860) |
| Cenisio, Sarpi, Isola | Popular / Commute | €332,000 - €450,000 ($389,000 - $526,000) | €5,590 - €7,565 ($6,545 - $8,850) | €520 - €700 ($610 - $820) |
| Centrale, Repubblica | Commute / Transit | €341,000 - €462,000 ($399,000 - $541,000) | €5,740 - €7,770 ($6,720 - $9,090) | €535 - €720 ($625 - $845) |
| Città Studi, Susa | Student / Commute | €291,000 - €394,000 ($340,000 - $461,000) | €4,900 - €6,635 ($5,735 - $7,760) | €455 - €615 ($535 - €720) |
| Bisceglie, Baggio, Olmi | Entry / Budget | €159,000 - €216,000 ($186,000 - $252,000) | €2,685 - €3,630 ($3,140 - $4,250) | €250 - €335 ($290 - $395) |
How much more do you pay for properties in Italy when you include renovation work, taxes, and fees?
When buying property in Italy in 2026, you should budget approximately 10% to 15% on top of the purchase price to cover taxes, notary fees, agent commissions, and potential light renovation work.
For a property priced at $200,000 (approximately €171,000) in Italy, you would typically pay an additional €17,000 to €25,000 ($20,000 to $29,000) in extra costs. This brings your total outlay to roughly €188,000 to €196,000 ($220,000 to $229,000), covering registration taxes, notary fees, and agent commission.
If you're buying a property at $500,000 (approximately €427,000) in Italy, expect to add about €43,000 to €64,000 ($50,000 to $75,000) for the same types of expenses. Your all-in cost would land between €470,000 and €491,000 ($550,000 to $575,000).
For a $1,000,000 property (approximately €855,000) in Italy, additional costs typically range from €85,000 to €128,000 ($100,000 to $150,000), bringing your total investment to approximately €940,000 to €983,000 ($1,100,000 to $1,150,000), especially if agent and notary fees scale with property value.
By the way, we keep updated a blog article detailing the property taxes and fees to factor in the total buying cost in Italy.
Meanwhile, here is a detailed table of the additional expenses you may have to pay when buying a new property in Italy
| Expense | Category | Estimated Cost (€ and $) |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Tax (Prima Casa from Private Seller) | Taxes | 2% of cadastral value (not market value), typically €2,000 to €8,000 ($2,350 to $9,360). Cadastral values are usually 20% to 50% below market value. Fixed mortgage and cadastral taxes of €50 each also apply. |
| Registration Tax (Second Home from Private Seller) | Taxes | 9% of cadastral value, significantly higher than prima casa rates. For a €300,000 property, this could mean €15,000 to €25,000 ($17,550 to $29,250) depending on cadastral assessment. |
| VAT (New-Build, Prima Casa) | Taxes | 4% of purchase price when buying new construction as your primary residence. On a €200,000 new apartment, that's €8,000 ($9,360). Fixed registration, cadastral, and mortgage taxes of €200 each also apply. |
| VAT (New-Build, Second Home) | Taxes | 10% of purchase price for non-primary residences. On a €300,000 property, that's €30,000 ($35,100). Luxury properties may face 22% VAT. |
| Notary Fees | Fees | €1,500 to €6,000 ($1,755 to $7,020) depending on property price and transaction complexity. The notary handles legal verification, deed registration, and tax collection. Higher-value properties generally incur higher fees. |
| Real Estate Agent Commission | Fees | Typically 2% to 4% of purchase price plus 22% VAT. On a €200,000 property, expect €4,000 to €8,000 ($4,680 to $9,360) plus VAT. Both buyer and seller usually pay separate commissions. |
| Mortgage Arrangement Fees | Fees | If financing, banks charge approximately 0.5% to 1% of loan amount plus appraisal fees of €200 to €500 ($234 to $585). A €150,000 mortgage might cost €750 to €1,500 ($878 to $1,755) in bank fees. |
| Light Renovation (Cosmetic) | Renovation | €300 to €800 per square meter ($351 to $936/sqm) for painting, flooring, and basic updates. A 70-square-meter apartment might need €21,000 to €56,000 ($24,570 to $65,520) for cosmetic work. |
| Major Renovation (Systems + Bathrooms) | Renovation | €900 to €1,800 per square meter ($1,053 to $2,106/sqm) for full renovation including electrical, plumbing, and bathrooms. A 70-square-meter complete renovation could cost €63,000 to €126,000 ($73,710 to $147,420). |
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Italy compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What properties can you buy in Italy in 2026 with different budgets?
With $100,000 (approximately €85,500) in Italy in 2026, you could purchase an existing 45-square-meter apartment in a small southern town, a 55 to 65-square-meter apartment in a low-demand inland area needing cosmetic updates, but this budget would not get you anything in Milan's standard residential market.
With $200,000 (approximately €171,000), you could buy an existing 80-square-meter apartment in a mid-size Italian city outside prime areas, an existing 60-square-meter apartment in a solid commuter suburb of a major city, or a small 90 to 110-square-meter house in a rural area likely needing upgrades.
With $300,000 (approximately €256,500), your options include an existing 110-square-meter family apartment in many regional capitals outside prime zones, an existing 75-square-meter apartment in a stronger-demand city area with good transit, or a move-in-ready 90 to 120-square-meter house in a commuter belt depending on the region.
With $500,000 (approximately €427,500), you could purchase a renovated 100-square-meter apartment in a top regional city area that isn't ultra-prime, a quality 140 to 170-square-meter house in a strong commuter market, or in Milan's Navigli neighborhood, roughly a 66-square-meter apartment before fees.
With $1,000,000 (approximately €855,000), you could buy an 80 to 95-square-meter renovated apartment in Milan's Porta Nuova or Garibaldi area, a high-quality central apartment in Rome or Florence with size depending on exact location, or a prestigious countryside property with larger land in sought-after lifestyle regions.
With $2,000,000 (approximately €1.71 million), you enter true luxury territory: in Milan's Centro district, this budget gets roughly a 154-square-meter apartment before fees, while in Florence or Rome's prime pockets you could find 140 to 220-square-meter historic apartments depending on renovation and views. True villa properties in top resort areas also become available at this level, though inventory is limited and quality varies considerably.
If you need a more detailed analysis, we have a blog article detailing what you can buy at different budget levels in Italy.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Italy, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why It's Authoritative | How We Used It |
|---|---|---|
| ISTAT House Price Index | Italy's official national statistics office publishes the country's authoritative house price index. | We used ISTAT data to anchor how prices moved year-over-year and over the decade. We also used it to justify the new versus existing price differences. |
| Banca d'Italia Housing Survey | Italy's central bank runs rigorous surveys with real market participants using documented methodology. | We used this to estimate how close listing prices are to closed prices. We extracted the average discount figure and market tightness context. |
| Agenzia delle Entrate | This is Italy's official tax authority and the canonical reference for property purchase tax rules. | We used this source to build the taxes and fees section. We translated the registration tax, VAT, and fixed tax rules into plain-English guidance. |
| Immobiliare.it National Dashboard | One of Italy's largest property portals publishing consistent monthly pricing data across the country. | We used this to establish the national average asking price per square meter. We also tracked 12-month price movements from this source. |
| Immobiliare.it Milan Zone Table | The same major portal provides rare, clean zone-by-zone pricing data that can be verified line by line. | We used this to produce the 12-neighborhood table with price ranges. We applied ±15% bands around zone averages to create realistic shopping ranges. |
| IMF Exchange Rates | An international organization publishing official reported reference exchange rates used globally. | We used the December 2025 rate of €1 = $1.17 for all currency conversions. We kept the math transparent so readers can adjust if needed. |
| Eurostat House Price Index | The EU's statistical office provides standardized cross-country housing data with consistent methodology. | We used Eurostat to cross-reference Italy's 10-year price trends. We verified that Italy's index movement aligned with ISTAT's national figures. |
| ISTAT Inflation Data | Italy's official statistics office tracks consumer price inflation with rigorous methodology. | We used inflation data to calculate real (inflation-adjusted) price changes. We showed that nominal gains of 15-18% over a decade translate to flat real growth. |
| Idealista | A major Mediterranean property portal with extensive Italian listings and market analysis. | We cross-referenced asking prices with Immobiliare.it data. We verified that price-per-square-meter figures were consistent across major portals. |
| Nomisma | A respected Italian economic research institute that publishes detailed real estate market reports. | We used Nomisma research to validate market segmentation. We confirmed the breakdown of property types and regional price variations. |
| Consiglio Nazionale del Notariato | Italy's national notary council provides official guidance on property transaction procedures and costs. | We used this to estimate typical notary fee ranges. We verified the legal steps required for property purchases in Italy. |
| FIAIP | The Italian Federation of Professional Real Estate Agents tracks market practices and commission standards. | We used FIAIP data to estimate typical agent commission rates. We confirmed that 2-4% plus VAT is standard market practice. |
| ABI (Italian Banking Association) | The association representing Italian banks publishes mortgage and lending market statistics. | We used ABI data to understand mortgage market conditions. We confirmed credit availability has stabilized compared to earlier tightening cycles. |
| Tecnocasa | A major Italian real estate franchise network publishing regular market analysis and price data. | We cross-referenced neighborhood-level pricing with their reports. We verified that Milan zone prices aligned with Immobiliare.it figures. |
| Gabetti | A historic Italian real estate agency with comprehensive market research capabilities. | We used Gabetti analysis to validate luxury segment pricing. We confirmed that prime Milan and Rome pricing aligns with our estimates. |
| Scenari Immobiliari | A leading Italian real estate research institute providing forecasts and market analysis. | We used their research to understand market dynamics. We confirmed supply constraints are driving price growth in major cities. |
| Confedilizia | The Italian property owners association tracking rental and ownership market conditions. | We used Confedilizia data to understand ownership patterns. We confirmed the split between apartment and house purchases. |
| ENEA | Italy's national agency for energy efficiency tracks building energy performance and renovation trends. | We used ENEA data to explain the energy efficiency premium. We showed why renovated properties command higher prices. |
| ANCE | The Italian construction industry association tracks new-build supply and construction costs. | We used ANCE data to explain new-build scarcity. We confirmed limited construction contributes to the new-versus-existing price gap. |
| Italian Ministry of Infrastructure | The government ministry overseeing housing policy and construction regulations. | We used ministry data to understand regulatory context. We confirmed policies affecting housing supply in major cities. |
| Camera dei Deputati | Italy's Chamber of Deputies publishes legislative documentation on housing and tax policy. | We verified current prima casa tax benefits remain in effect. We confirmed the 2% registration tax rate for primary residence purchases. |
| OECD Housing Data | The international organization provides standardized housing affordability and price comparisons. | We used OECD data to contextualize Italy's price levels internationally. We confirmed that Italy remains more affordable than northern European markets. |
| European Central Bank | The ECB tracks eurozone mortgage rates and housing market financing conditions. | We used ECB data to explain credit conditions affecting Italian buyers. We confirmed that stabilizing rates have supported demand in 2025. |
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