Italy might conjure images of rolling vineyards, Renaissance cities and sun-soaked beaches โ and yes, all of that’s true. But what many overseas buyers donโt realise is that property in Italy is still astonishingly affordable โ especially if you know where to look and what to expect.
With a bit of flexibility, realistic expectations and clever planning, that dreamy stone farmhouse or seaside apartment isnโt out of reach. In fact, you may be surprised by just how many incredible bargains are still available across the country in 2025.
Your Viewing Trip Guide is packed with money saving tips
Whether you’re after a bolthole to escape to in summer, a renovation challenge or a rural retirement haven, this guide will help you steer clear of overpriced tourist traps and discover the real value homes across the regions of Italy. Weโll also share some practical โ and frankly, fun โ ways to save money on your Italian property journey.
Contents
- Why Italy remains surprisingly affordable
- Clever ways to save on your Italian home
- Where to find Italy’s best value homes
- Affordable homes in popular regions
Why Italy remains surprisingly affordable
Despite Italy’s rich culture and international appeal, the average cost of a home here is surprisingly low.
According to the latest data from Italyโs national statistics agency (ISTAT), the average residential property price across the country is just over โฌ1,900 per square metre. Thatโs significantly less than France (โฌ3,230/mยฒ) or the UK (โฌ3,400/mยฒ).
According to Immobiliare.it the average asking price in June 2025 is โฌ2,110 per square metre, having increased by around 2% over the past year.
But the average only tells part of the story. Prices fluctuate wildly depending on location, condition and type of home. In fact, there are plenty of solid, habitable properties available from around โฌ50,000 โ and not just in ghost towns or remote mountains. The key lies in understanding what Italians valueโฆ and what they donโt.
Countryside homes, inherited properties or older buildings that need cosmetic work are often overlooked
Italians often prize proximity to services, family and stable infrastructure โ meaning countryside homes, inherited properties or older buildings that need cosmetic work are often overlooked. Thatโs where opportunity arises for international buyers.
The famous โone-euro homesโ scheme (aimed at revitalising neglected villages) has made headlines, but in truth, itโs just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re willing to step off the tourist path, you’ll uncover some truly remarkable deals.
Clever ways to save on your Italian home
If you’re keen to snap up a bargain, here are some proven ways to cut costs without cutting quality on your Italian property purchase in 2025.
1. Consider renovation projects
You’ve heard of ‘kerb appeal’, but that encourages owners to smarten up a property just to sell at a higher price. Maybe look for those with negative kerb appeal!ย The old adage to look for the worst house in the best road remains an excellent strategy,
Many affordable homes need some degree of renovation โ though not all are derelict. Some may simply need a bathroom refresh, new windows or a cosmetic overhaul. Renovation-ready homes are often significantly cheaper. However, costs can escalate fast, so itโs important to budget carefully.
Rural areas with low demand often have full houses for the price of a city flat. Some villages also sell trulli (Pugliaโs traditional conical-roof homes) for under โฌ30,000. A local geometra (surveyor) can help you assess structural needs and work out planning permissions before you commit.
2. Look at off-plan developments
New build homes โ especially in southern and central Italy โ often offer early-bird discounts if you buy off-plan. Developers are keen to lock in cash flow early. While you might wait 18โ24 months until itโs ready, the savings can be substantial.
Ensure you’re buying from a reputable builder, and confirm your deposit is protected with a fideiussione bancaria (bank guarantee). Ask to see previous projects to ensure they finish properties to a high standard.
3. Time your purchase smartly
Winter, especially from November to February, is often the best time to negotiate. Fewer buyers are in the market, so sellers may be more flexible. Estate agents are also quieter, giving you more attention and support.
You can get creative too. If you pass a home that looks unloved, itโs worth posting a note or asking around the local cafรฉ. Direct approaches have led to many unexpected sales, especially in small towns.
4. Be brave about negotiating
Negotiating on price is an accepted โ and expected โ part of the buying process in Italy. Price reductions of up to 10โ15% are not uncommon, especially if the property needs updating or has been listed for months. Do your homework using portals like Immobiliare.it or OMI data from the Italian tax office to compare recent valuations.
Work with a bilingual property consultant who understands the art of Italian negotiation, and ask if furnishings, appliances or parking spaces can be included. It never hurts to ask.
Where to find Italy’s best value homes
If you’re willing to explore lesser-known provinces, you can find move-in-ready homes for under โฌ100,000 in beautiful settings. Here are some of the standout value regions (average prices per square metre as of June 2025):
- Calabria: โฌ949 โ beachfront homes still exist under โฌ90,000
- Molise: โฌ1,035 โ one of Italyโs least populated but most scenic regions
- Sicily: โฌ1,167 โ bursting with character and coastal towns
- Abruzzo: โฌ1,362 โ ski in winter, sunbathe in summer
- Basilicata: โฌ1,304 โ including the famous cave city of Matera
- Umbria: โฌ1,161 โ a peaceful, greener alternative to Tuscany
These regions are well-connected by train or internal flights, yet remain authentic and local. For the best deals, stay just outside the major tourist peaks. Towns a 15โ30 minute drive from the hotspots often offer half the price and twice the charm.
Affordable homes in popular regions
Even in Italyโs most famous areas, there are ways to buy smart. Hereโs how to find affordable options in Tuscany, Sicily and Puglia in 2025.
Tuscany
Charming and timeless, Tuscany remains high on every buyerโs list. But not everything comes with a millionaireโs price tag. Head for the inland provinces like Arezzo or Massa-Carrara where prices are lower than Florence or Chianti.
Youโll find properties divided into maisonettes or apartments for more affordable living, particularly in hill towns where tall terraced homes were once multi-generational homes. Average prices across Tuscany are โฌ2,575/mยฒ โ but drop closer to โฌ1,950/mยฒ in less-known areas like Lunigiana or the Garfagnana valley.
Check out theseย properties in Tuscany for less than โฌ100,000.
Got your heart set on countryside life? Barn conversions, village houses or ex-farmhouses under light renovation sell from โฌ70,000 in the regionโs eastern hills.
Sicily
Sicily offers some of the cheapest coastal property in western Europe. Apartments start below โฌ60,000 in towns like Sciacca, Castellammare del Golfo and Alcamo. In 2025, the average square metre price across the island is below โฌ1,200
Inland towns are even more wallet-friendly. A fully restored townhouse in Modica or Noto may set you back under โฌ100,000. Parts of central Sicily, like Enna and Caltanissetta, offer homes from โฌ30,000 โ many with views stretching for miles.
For true value, look where the locals live, not where tourists visit.
Check out these properties in Sicily for less than โฌ150,000.
Puglia
Puglia has surged in popularity recently, but there are still hidden pockets of affordability. Inland areas like Brindisi province, or lesser-explored regions of Taranto, contain trulli and stone cottages from around โฌ40,000.
The average price is โฌ1,430/mยฒ in 2025, but countryside retreats with small olive groves often fall well below. If you spot a tired-looking masseria (farmhouse), ask around. Many are off-market and could be in the family for generations โ waiting for the right buyer.
The key to Puglia is exploring beyond the Instagram list โ into working towns where local families and culture still thrive.
Ready to explore your Italian property adventure?
At Your Overseas Home, we stay on the ground, work with trusted bilingual agents and vet properties thoroughly to help you find your Italian home the right way โ with confidence and clarity.
Want to speak to someone about your goals? Our experts will help you get started, book property tours, and even navigate currency exchange and legal steps.
Book a free property consultation today or browse affordable Italian homes here.
