Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Italy Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Sicily's property market is included in our pack
Sicily offers some of the highest rental yields in Italy, making it attractive for foreign investors looking for income-generating property.
But yields vary dramatically depending on whether you choose Palermo, Catania, or a tourist hotspot like Taormina or Ortigia.
We constantly update this blog post to give you the freshest data and realistic expectations for apartment investments in Sicily.
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 Sicily.
What rental yields can I realistically get from an apartment in Sicily?
What's the average gross rental yield for apartments in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average gross rental yield for apartments in Sicily sits around 8.5% to 9.5%, which is considerably higher than what you would find in Rome or Milan.
Most apartment investments in Sicily fall within a gross yield range of 7% to 11%, with the variation depending heavily on whether you buy in a major city like Palermo or in a smaller inland town.
The main factor driving yield differences in Sicily is the gap between low purchase prices (around 1,000 euros per square meter on average) and relatively sticky rents that hold up better than prices in areas with steady demand from students, workers, or tourists.
Compared to northern Italian cities where gross yields typically hover around 4% to 6%, Sicily consistently offers 2 to 4 percentage points more because property prices remain among the lowest in Italy while rents stay competitive in urban centers.
What's the average net rental yield for apartments in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average net rental yield for apartments in Sicily lands around 5.8% to 6.8% for a foreign individual investor using standard long-term rental structures.
Most apartment investors in Sicily can realistically expect net yields between 5% and 7%, with the range depending on how efficiently you manage costs like vacancy, taxes, and building charges.
The single biggest expense that eats into your gross yield in Sicily is the IMU property tax, which applies to investment properties and second homes, and can vary significantly between municipalities like Palermo, Catania, and Siracusa based on locally set rates.
By the way, you will find much more detailed data in our property pack covering the real estate market in Sicily.
What's the typical rent-to-price ratio for apartments in Sicily in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical rent-to-price ratio for apartments in Sicily is around 0.80% to 0.85% of the property value per month, which translates to roughly 9% to 10% annually before any expenses.
Most apartment transactions in Sicily show rent-to-price ratios ranging from 0.70% to 0.95% monthly, with the higher end found in areas where purchase prices are depressed but rental demand remains strong.
The highest rent-to-price ratios in Sicily tend to appear in university zones like parts of Catania near the main campus, or in working-class neighborhoods of Palermo such as Noce or Zisa where prices are low but rents stay supported by local demand.
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How much rent can I charge for an apartment in Sicily?
What's the typical tenant budget range for apartments in Sicily right now?
The typical monthly tenant budget for renting an apartment in Sicily in early 2026 ranges from 350 to 1,300 euros (around 365 to 1,350 USD), depending on size and location.
Tenants looking for mid-range apartments in Sicily generally budget between 500 and 850 euros per month (520 to 885 USD), which gets you a decent 1 or 2-bedroom unit in a livable neighborhood of Palermo or Catania.
For high-end or luxury apartments in Sicily, tenant budgets climb to 1,000 to 1,500 euros per month (1,040 to 1,560 USD), typically for renovated units in prime locations like Palermo's Politeama-Liberta area, Catania's Borgo district, or Siracusa's Ortigia island.
We have a blog article where we update the latest data about rents in Sicily here.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bed apartment in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Sicily is around 450 to 550 euros (470 to 570 USD), based on a typical 50 square meter unit.
At the entry level, you can find decent 1-bedroom apartments in Sicily for 350 to 450 euros per month (365 to 470 USD), typically in older buildings without elevators in neighborhoods like Palermo's Oreto area or Catania's outer Borgo edges.
A mid-range 1-bedroom in Sicily rents for 500 to 650 euros per month (520 to 675 USD), and this would be a renovated unit with air conditioning in a walkable area of Palermo Centro, Catania Centro, or Trapani's historic core.
High-end 1-bedroom apartments in Sicily command 700 to 900 euros per month (730 to 935 USD), usually featuring modern finishes, sea views, or prime locations like Siracusa's Ortigia or Palermo's Mondello beach area.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bed apartment in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Sicily is around 650 to 800 euros (675 to 830 USD), based on a typical 75 square meter unit.
Entry-level 2-bedroom apartments in Sicily start at 500 to 650 euros per month (520 to 675 USD), typically found in simpler buildings in neighborhoods like Palermo's Noce or Catania's Nesima, where units are functional but may lack modern updates.
Mid-range 2-bedroom apartments in Sicily rent for 700 to 900 euros per month (730 to 935 USD), representing renovated units with good layouts in central areas like Palermo's Kalsa quarter or Catania's Via Etnea corridor.
Luxury 2-bedroom apartments in Sicily fetch 1,000 to 1,200 euros per month (1,040 to 1,250 USD), typically in elevator buildings with terraces or sea views in prime spots like Taormina, Ortigia, or Palermo's Politeama district.
What's the average monthly rent for a 3-bed apartment in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Sicily is around 850 to 1,000 euros (885 to 1,040 USD), based on a typical 100 square meter unit.
Entry-level 3-bedroom apartments in Sicily start at 700 to 850 euros per month (730 to 885 USD), often found in older buildings in peripheral areas of Palermo or Catania where families trade location for space.
Mid-range 3-bedroom apartments in Sicily rent for 900 to 1,100 euros per month (935 to 1,145 USD), typically representing updated units in residential neighborhoods like Palermo's Liberta area or Catania's Picanello with good schools nearby.
High-end 3-bedroom apartments in Sicily command 1,200 to 1,500 euros per month (1,250 to 1,560 USD), usually in modern elevator buildings with parking in areas like Palermo's Mondello or premium Catania addresses near the seafront.
How fast do well-priced apartments get rented in Sicily?
A well-priced apartment in Sicily typically rents within 2 to 4 weeks in major cities like Palermo and Catania, though student areas can fill in as little as 1 to 2 weeks during peak season in late summer.
The typical vacancy rate for apartments in Sicily runs around 4% to 8% annually, which means roughly 2 to 4 weeks of lost rent per year if you price correctly and maintain the unit well.
The main factors that make some apartments rent faster in Sicily are air conditioning (essential for the long hot summers), proximity to university campuses or hospital complexes, and having a functional layout without the dark internal rooms common in older Sicilian buildings.
And if you want to know what should be the right price, check our latest update on how much an apartment should cost in Sicily.
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.
Which apartment type gives the best yield in Sicily?
Which is better for yield between studios, 1-bed, 2-bed and 3-bed apartments in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, studios and 1-bedroom apartments typically deliver the best rental yields in Sicily, often reaching 9% to 11% gross compared to 7% to 9% for larger units.
In Sicily, studios tend to yield 9% to 11% gross, 1-beds around 8.5% to 10%, 2-beds around 8% to 9.5%, and 3-beds typically 7% to 8.5%, with yields compressing as unit size increases.
The main reason smaller units outperform in Sicily is that Palermo and Catania have steady demand from university students, young professionals, and single workers who need affordable housing, while larger family apartments compete in a smaller tenant pool with more price sensitivity.
Which features are best if you want a good yield for your apartment in Sicily?
The features that most positively impact rental yield in Sicily are air conditioning (non-negotiable given the intense summer heat), a renovated kitchen and bathroom (since much of Sicily's housing stock is dated), and proximity to a demand anchor like a university, hospital, or major transport hub.
In Sicily, upper floors with elevator access tend to rent faster and at premium rates, while ground-floor units in historic centers often struggle due to limited natural light and security concerns common in older Sicilian buildings.
Apartments with balconies or terraces command noticeably higher rents in Sicily, especially in coastal areas like Palermo's waterfront or Catania's Ognina district where outdoor space and sea breezes are highly valued during the long warm season.
Elevators justify their service charge premium in Sicily because many older buildings lack them, making upper-floor units with lift access rare and desirable, while parking similarly commands extra rent in congested historic centers like Palermo Centro or Ortigia.
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Which neighborhoods give the best rental demand for apartments in Sicily?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rental demand for apartments in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods with highest rental demand in Sicily are Palermo Centro Storico, Politeama-Liberta, and Borgo-Sanzio in Catania for long-term rentals, plus Siracusa's Ortigia island and Taormina for tourism-driven demand.
The main demand driver in these Sicilian neighborhoods is the concentration of employment, universities, and transport links, with Palermo's city center anchored by the university and hospital complex, and Catania's Borgo area benefiting from its position between the historic core and the port.
In high-demand neighborhoods like Palermo's Politeama or Catania Centro, well-priced apartments typically rent within 2 to 3 weeks, with vacancy rates running around 3% to 5% annually.
One emerging neighborhood gaining rental momentum in Sicily is Palermo's Noce-Zisa corridor, where younger renters are moving in for lower prices while still having walkable access to the city center and improving public transport connections.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Sicily.
Which neighborhoods have the highest yields for apartments in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the neighborhoods with highest rental yields in Sicily are value zones near city centers, including Palermo's Noce and Zisa areas, Catania's outer Borgo edges and Nesima, plus parts of Trapani Centro where prices are low but rents stay supported.
These high-yield Sicilian neighborhoods typically deliver gross yields of 9% to 12%, compared to 7% to 9% in premium locations where higher purchase prices compress returns.
The main reason these neighborhoods offer higher yields is that property prices drop faster than rents as you move from prime to secondary locations, so you pay 30% to 40% less per square meter while rents only fall 15% to 20%, improving the rent-to-price ratio significantly.
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Italy. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
Should I do long-term rental or short-term rental in Sicily?
Is short-term rental legal for apartments in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rentals are legal in Sicily, but you must comply with both national and regional registration requirements before listing your apartment on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.
The main legal requirements for operating a short-term rental in Sicily include obtaining a national CIN (Codice Identificativo Nazionale) through the Ministry of Tourism's BDSR database, plus Sicily's own regional CIR identifier, and you must display both codes on all listings and advertisements.
To legally operate an Airbnb-style rental in Sicily, you need to register with the BDSR portal, obtain your CIN, comply with Sicily's regional CIR requirements, handle guest registration with local police, and collect tourist tax in municipalities that require it.
By the way, we also have a blog article detailing whether owning an Airbnb rental is profitable in Sicily.
What's the gross yield difference short-term vs long-term in Sicily in 2026?
As of early 2026, short-term rentals in Sicily can generate gross yields 1.5 to 2.5 times higher than long-term rentals in prime tourist zones, though the advantage shrinks significantly after accounting for higher operating costs.
In Sicily, long-term rentals typically yield 8% to 10% gross while short-term rentals in tourist hotspots like Palermo Centro, Ortigia, or Taormina can reach 15% to 20% gross based on occupancy around 50% to 55% and nightly rates of 90 to 120 euros.
The main costs that reduce the short-term rental advantage in Sicily include professional management fees (15% to 25% of revenue), higher utility bills, cleaning costs, platform commissions, guest supplies, and more frequent maintenance from turnover.
To outperform a long-term rental in Sicily, your short-term rental needs to achieve at least 45% to 50% annual occupancy, which is achievable in Palermo or Catania but challenging in seasonal destinations like Taormina where winter demand drops sharply.
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What costs will eat into my net yield for an apartment in Sicily?
What are building service charges as a % of rent in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, building service charges in Sicily typically run around 6% to 10% of annual rent for the owner-paid portion, which works out to roughly 40 to 100 euros per month (42 to 104 USD) for a typical apartment.
The realistic range of building service charges in Sicily covers 5% to 12% of rent, with lower charges in simple walk-up buildings and higher charges in condominiums with elevators, shared gardens, or concierge services.
In Sicily, higher-than-average service charges are typically justified by elevator maintenance (rare in older buildings, so it commands a premium), shared courtyard upkeep in historic center palazzos, and building insurance costs that run higher for older structures near the coast due to salt air damage risks.
What annual maintenance budget should I assume for an apartment in Sicily right now?
The typical annual maintenance budget for an apartment in Sicily in early 2026 is around 0.7% to 1% of the property value, which means roughly 600 to 1,000 euros per year (625 to 1,040 USD) for a 90,000 euro apartment.
The realistic range of annual maintenance costs in Sicily spans 500 to 2,000 euros (520 to 2,080 USD), with newer buildings at the low end and pre-1970 historic center properties at the high end due to aging plumbing and electrical systems.
The most common maintenance expenses for Sicilian apartment owners are repainting interior walls damaged by humidity (especially in coastal areas), repairing old plumbing connections common in historic buildings, and servicing air conditioning units that run heavily during the 5-month summer season.
What property taxes should I expect for an apartment in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical annual property tax (IMU) for an investment apartment in Sicily runs around 0.3% to 0.7% of the property's market value, which translates to roughly 300 to 700 euros per year (310 to 730 USD) for a 100,000 euro apartment.
The realistic range of property taxes in Sicily spans 200 to 1,000 euros annually (210 to 1,040 USD), depending on the apartment's cadastral value, the municipality's IMU rate, and whether the property is in a city like Palermo (higher rates) or a smaller town (often lower).
Property taxes in Sicily are calculated using the cadastral value (rendita catastale) of your apartment, multiplied by a revaluation coefficient, then multiplied by the IMU rate set by your specific municipality, which is why two similar apartments in Palermo and Catania can have different tax bills.
Exemptions exist for apartments used as your primary residence (abitazione principale), but investment properties and second homes do not qualify, though some municipalities offer modest reductions for properties rented under certain affordable housing agreements.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Sicily.
How much does landlord insurance cost for an apartment in Sicily in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical annual landlord insurance cost for an apartment in Sicily ranges from 150 to 300 euros (155 to 310 USD) for a basic long-term rental policy covering property damage and liability.
The realistic range of annual landlord insurance costs in Sicily spans 150 to 600 euros (155 to 625 USD), with basic long-term rental coverage at the low end and comprehensive short-term rental policies with guest liability at the high end.
What's the typical property management fee for apartments in Sicily as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical property management fee for a long-term rental apartment in Sicily runs around 8% to 12% of collected rent, which works out to roughly 50 to 100 euros per month (52 to 104 USD) on a typical apartment.
The realistic range of property management fees in Sicily spans 8% to 12% for long-term rentals and 15% to 25% for short-term rentals, with full-service Airbnb managers sometimes charging up to 25% plus cleaning coordination fees.
Standard property management fees in Sicily typically include tenant finding, lease administration, rent collection, routine maintenance coordination, and being your local point of contact, though major repairs, legal issues, and accounting often cost extra.
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 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 Sicily, 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 | Italy's official national statistics agency for housing data. | We used ISTAT to anchor the big-picture direction of rents in Italy. We used it as a sanity-check so Sicily's market data stays realistic. |
| OMI (Agenzia delle Entrate) | Official public dataset for prices and rents by zone and property type. | We used OMI as the official backbone for validating price and rent ranges. We used it to cross-check portal asking prices against government valuations. |
| Bank of Italy | Italy's central bank housing market survey with discount and timing data. | We used it to adjust from asking to realistic achieved pricing and timing. We used it to justify conservative buffers for vacancy and negotiation. |
| Idealista | Major Italian property portal with transparent methodology and long data series. | We used Idealista to estimate typical asking prices and rents across Sicily. We used it as one leg of our yield calculations. |
| Immobiliare.it | Second major portal, reducing single-source bias in our estimates. | We used it to cross-check Sicily-wide prices against Idealista's levels. We used the two-source average to set confident base-case figures. |
| MEF (Ministry of Economy) | Official government source explaining Italy's municipal property tax system. | We used it to describe what IMU is and when it applies to investment properties. We used it to frame net-yield tax deductions correctly. |
| Agenzia delle Entrate (Cedolare Secca) | Official tax authority page for the flat-tax rental income option. | We used it to model investor-friendly net-yield scenarios using the flat tax route. We used it to explain what taxes apply under cedolare secca. |
| Ministry of Tourism (BDSR) | Government portal operating the national short-term rental registry and CIN system. | We used it to confirm short-term rentals require national registration. We used it to keep the legal compliance section factual and current. |
| Regione Siciliana | Direct regional government document on Sicily's own CIR identifier system. | We used it to highlight Sicily's regional compliance layer alongside national CIN. We used it to explain why Sicily has extra requirements versus other regions. |
| AirDNA | Widely used short-term rental analytics provider with transparent KPI definitions. | We used it to estimate realistic short-term rental revenue using occupancy and nightly rates. We used it to compare STR versus long-term yields fairly. |
| ENIT | Italy's national tourism board with credible demand signals for vacation rentals. | We used it to justify why short-term rental demand in Sicily is structurally strong. We used it to explain seasonality and winter occupancy patterns. |
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