Investing in real estate is an increasingly popular choice: in an international context where other asset classes are often associated with uncertainty or very high risk, property remains a long-lasting asset that can also be passed down to one’s children.
Anyone looking to optimize the return on their investment should seriously consider the many opportunities of property for sale in Italy.
Attention! Since the Italian real estate market is extremely complex and marked by strong differences from one area to another, it is essential, before purchasing, to rely on high-quality sources. This means consulting only vertical property portals, where listings are published exclusively by vetted and reputable agencies.
Having clarified this necessary premise, we can focus on the areas where, at present, real estate investments in Italy generate the highest returns (the entire peninsula, in general, shows strong figures compared to the rest of the world thanks to its iconic tourist appeal).
Long-term rentals: where they are most profitable
Looking at the long-term rental market and, in particular, the case of renting out a 65-square-meter two-room apartment, data from the research department of one of the leading property portals show that, in Italy, the city offering the highest annual return is Genoa (7.6%).
The same data place Palermo and Verona in second and third position. Published in September of last year, the ranking also includes Italy’s major cities: Milan and Rome, which sit respectively in tenth and eighth place.
What do property investors in Italy look for?
Those who invest in real estate in Italy tend to choose medium-sized or large cities, focusing especially on areas close to university campuses.
Another key criterion is urban regeneration. Over the decades, redevelopment projects have contributed, more than almost any other factor, to the revaluation of many districts in numerous cities.
A prime example is Milan which, from 1998 to 2024, saw house prices rise by more than 140%. Further increases are expected in the coming years due to the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, set to begin shortly.
The growth of foreign buyers
The choices of international residential investors clearly demonstrate how attractive Italy remains: more and more prospective buyers are coming from outside the country’s borders.
Among major urban centers, Naples attracts particular interest. A city with a distinctive identity and a true cornerstone of the made-in-Italy brand. It offers strong guarantees of investment returns, especially thanks to sustained tourist demand and benefits from an exceptional location: spectacular in itself, with panoramic views and historic landmarks and close to iconic glamorous destinations such as Capri and Positano.
Milan is also recording excellent figures. During the first ten months of last year, the number of foreign investors purchasing property in the Lombard capital increased by more than 12% compared to the same period in 2024.
American investors rank first. Germans are in second place, with requests rising by 80% between 2024 and 2025. Most searches focus on apartments, with an average requested property value exceeding €1.4 million.
The Italian region showing the highest growth in foreign real estate investors is Trentino-Alto Adige: between 2024 and 2025, the number of prospective buyers interested in purchasing property in Bolzano increased by more than 96%. Among the most appreciated areas is the Brenner zone.
