News
In this section, you will find up-to-date information on regulations, incentives, and opportunities related to the real estate sector. From tax measures to local developments, we closely monitor fiscal and legislative changes to provide you with a clear and updated overview.
Beyond regulatory aspects, we also share key local updates that may impact the real estate market, such as urban redevelopment projects, municipal and provincial plans, or updates on the protection of valuable areas.
Staying informed means making more conscious decisions.
Oltre agli aspetti normativi, condividiamo anche le principali novità territoriali che possono influenzare il mercato immobiliare, come progetti di riqualificazione urbana, piani comunali e provinciali, o aggiornamenti sulla tutela di aree di pregio.
Restare informati significa fare scelte più consapevoli.
2025 Renovation Bonus
The 2025 Budget Law confirms the Renovation Bonus, with some changes to the tax deduction rates:
- Primary residence: 50% tax deduction on expenses incurred, with a maximum of €96,000 per property unit.
- Other properties (including second homes): Reduced deduction of 36%, with the same €96,000 cap.
- From 2026, the deduction rate will drop to 30% for all properties.
Beyond tax benefits, renovating a property increases its value, making it more competitive on the market.
2025 Ecobonus
The Ecobonus has been extended with new deduction rates:
- Primary residence: 50% tax deduction on eligible expenses.
- Other properties (including second homes): 36% tax deduction on eligible expenses.
- From 2026, the deduction rate will decrease to 30% for all properties.
The maximum deductible amount depends on the type of intervention. For example, for single-family homes, the maximum deductible expense can be €30,000, while for condominiums or larger units, the limits vary.
Eligible interventions include improvements in energy efficiency, such as installing solar panels, replacing windows, thermal insulation, and adopting more efficient heating systems.
2025 Furniture and Appliances Bonus
The Furniture and Appliances Bonus has been extended until December 31, 2025:
- Deduction: 50% for the purchase of furniture and large appliances intended to furnish a renovated property.
- Spending cap: €5,000, including transportation and installation costs.
- Requirements: The property must be undergoing renovation work that began on or after January 1 of the year prior to the purchase.
- Second homes: The bonus also applies to second homes, provided they are undergoing renovation.
2025 Seismic Bonus
The Seismic Bonus supports seismic improvement or retrofitting work for buildings located in high-risk seismic areas:
- Deduction rate: 50% on expenses for interventions that do not improve the seismic classification.
- Spending limit: €96,000 per property unit.
- Repayment: The deduction is spread over five equal annual installments.
- Increased bonus: For interventions that improve the building’s seismic classification by one or two levels, higher deduction rates may apply.
Higher Taxes on Second-Home Purchases
Starting in 2025, purchasing a second home in Italy will be subject to increased taxes:
- Registration tax: Raised from 9% to 12% of the property’s cadastral value.
- VAT on new homes: Increased from 10% to 12%.
Incentives and Benefits for Young People
The 2025 Budget Law does not introduce new specific incentives for individuals under 36. However, previously established benefits remain in place, including:
- Access to state-guaranteed mortgages (Guarantee Fund).
Mortgage Interest Rates
On January 30, 2025, the ECB announced a 25 basis point cut to its three key interest rates. As a result, starting February 5, 2025, the new rates are as follows:
- Deposit facility rate: 2.75%
- Main refinancing operations rate: 2.90%
- Marginal lending facility rate: 3.15%
This decision reflects the ECB’s goal of stabilizing inflation around 2% in the medium term. Some analysts predict further rate cuts throughout 2025, with estimates suggesting the deposit rate could drop to 1.5% by year-end.
Following the ECB rate cut, the average nominal annual rate (TAN) is expected to decrease further to 3.68%, with the most competitive offers potentially reaching 3.24%.
Additionally, forecasts indicate that the 3-month Euribor, a key benchmark for variable-rate mortgages, could settle at 2.10% by Q1 2026, providing further relief to borrowers.
What This Means for Homebuyers and Renovators
- First-time homebuyers: Lower interest rates reduce monthly mortgage payments and improve credit access, particularly for those financing a high percentage of the property’s value. This is especially beneficial for young buyers and those taking advantage of the First Home Guarantee Fund.
- Second-home buyers: While mortgage rates for second homes are typically higher than for primary residences, the downward trend may still make purchases more affordable. However, the increase in registration tax and VAT on new properties partially offsets this advantage.
- Home renovations: Those looking to renovate can benefit from both lower rates and existing tax deductions, effectively reducing the total cost of the project. Renovation mortgages follow similar patterns to home purchase loans, with the added advantage of financing improvements based on the property’s increased value.
Flat tax for new residents 2024
Introduced with the 2017 Budget Law and modified by Decree Law No. 113 of August 9, 2024, this tax regime is aimed at new residents who transfer their tax residence to Italy and who have not been tax residents in the country for at least nine of the previous ten years. This regime entails a fixed-rate income tax, even on income generated abroad
Steps to obtain the preferential tax regime are:
- Transfer of tax residence to Italy: the applicant must transfer their tax residence to the country, meaning they must live in Italy for at least 183 days per year.
- Submission of a “tax ruling request”: submit a formal request to the competent Revenue Agency office.
- Payment of the fixed substitute tax: if the request is accepted, the taxpayer must pay a fixed substitute tax of €100,000 for those who have already moved to Italy by August 10, 2024; €200,000 for those who move after that date, according to the new provisions.
- Duration of the regime: the flat tax regime can be applied for a maximum of 15 years, with no possibility of renewal. During this period, the taxpayer can choose to abandon the option, but once revoked, it will not be possible to re-enter the preferential regime.
Flat tax for Foreign Pensioners
According to Article 24-ter of the Italian Income Tax Code (TUIR), introduced by Article 1, paragraph 273, of Law No. 145/2018, individuals receiving foreign pension income and transferring their tax residence to Italy—specifically to a municipality in Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, or Puglia with a population of no more than 20,000 inhabitants—can benefit from an optional tax regime.
This regime applies a 7% substitute tax on any income earned abroad for each of the nine tax periods in which the option is valid (maximum duration: nine years).
Tax regime for returning workers
The new preferential tax regime, introduced by Legislative Decree No. 209/2023, is aimed at taxpayers transferring their tax residence to Italy starting from the 2024 tax year. The regime offers significant tax advantages to those who have lived and worked abroad for at least three years and now intend to move to Italy to engage in employment activities, either as employees or self-employed.
The taxable income from dependent work, assimilated, and self-employment produced in Italy will be reduced by 50% up to a maximum of €600,000. For those with minor or dependent children, a 40% reduction is applied.
If the foreign employer is the same as the Italian one, the minimum period of residence abroad required to benefit from the regime increases from three to six or seven years, depending on the circumstances. Specifically, a period of six years is required if the worker has not previously been employed in Italy by the same employer or group, while seven years are required if the worker has already worked with the same employer or group before moving abroad.
Finally, to access the preferential tax regime, the taxpayer must have high-level qualifications or specializations, as defined by the regulations, which cannot be subject to a tax ruling. This preferential regime also applies to professionals and workers who meet these requirements.
National support:
“Resto al Sud” Program: promoted by Invitalia, this program offers grants and subsidized loans to encourage the creation of new businesses in Southern Italy, including Sardinia. The call provides contributions of up to a maximum of €200,000 for new entrepreneurial activities.
National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR): Within the PNRR, there are benefits for accommodation facilities. For example, a tax credit equal to 80% of the expenses incurred for the renovation and improvement of facilities is available.
2025 Grants: In 2025, several national calls are expected to offer grants for businesses and start-ups. These funds aim to support investment projects, research and development, internationalization, and the acquisition of new skills.
Regional support in Sardinia:
Rural Development Program (PSR) 2023-2027: The Sardinia Region, through the PSR, supports investments in agricultural companies for diversification into non-agricultural activities, such as agritourism. There are grants of up to 70% for the renovation and modernization of production facilities.
Grants for Commercial Activities: The Sardinia Region offers grants of up to 40% of eligible expenses, with a minimum expenditure of €5,000. This benefit is aimed at businesses in the retail sector and also includes a contribution for job creation, amounting to €5,000 for each additional Annual Labor Unit (ULA), up to a maximum of €15,000.
Grants for the Recovery and Redevelopment of Buildings: The Region has allocated funds for the recovery, redevelopment, and reuse of buildings located in historic centers, built before 1940 and without demolition or reconstruction after that date. The contribution amount can reach up to €40,000, determined based on the total eligible works for funding.
Subsidized Credit for Commercial Activities (L.R. 3/2022): Regional Law 3/2022 provides for the granting of interest and capital grants for subsidized credit operations for commercial activities. The benefits include a capital grant equal to 40% of the documented eligible expenditure, excluding taxes, and an interest grant on the credit operation.
Grants for the purchase or renovation of the first home
The region offers grants of up to €15,000 for the purchase or renovation of the first home in municipalities with fewer than 3,000 residents. The grant covers up to 50% of the planned expenses. To access these grants, the following requirements must be met:
- The property must be located in a municipality with a population of less than 3,000 residents.
- The applicant must establish or maintain residence in the property for at least five years from the date the grant is issued.
- The ownership of the property must belong to the applicant’s family unit.
REAL ESTATE MARKET: PRICES RISING FASTER THAN INFLATION
According to the latest ISTAT data, in the third quarter of 2024, the Housing Price Index (IPAB) increased by 0.8% compared to the previous quarter and by 3.9% year-on-year. This means that property values in Italy continue to rise, even at a faster pace than inflation, which averaged 1.0% in 2024 (a sharp decrease from 5.7% in 2023).
In summary, the Italian real estate market is appreciating, with property prices increasing at a more significant rate than the cost of living.
Focus on North-East Sardinia:
In particular, the areas between Olbia and San Teodoro are among the most sought-after in North-East Sardinia due to their proximity to the sea and strong tourist appeal. The real estate market here shows positive trends, with high interest from both national and international buyers.
San Teodoro, for example, recorded an average price for residential properties of €4,248 per square meter in January 2025, well above the provincial average of €2,889 per square meter.
Murta Maria and Porto San Paolo are increasingly in demand due to their proximity to Olbia and the airport, making them attractive both for second homes and tourist investments.
The coastal locations between Olbia and San Teodoro are among the most exclusive in Sardinia, with prices varying depending on proximity to the sea and the quality of the properties, but they are all seeing continuous growth.
The real estate market in North-East Sardinia is experiencing steady growth, supported by high demand and increasing interest in coastal locations. Buying now represents a strategic opportunity to secure a property in one of the most sought-after areas, with the prospect of value growth over time. It is a solid investment, both for those seeking an exclusive property for personal use and for those aiming for future returns.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS IN SARDINIA: ENSURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Interreg NEXT MED Call for Projects
A new call for projects has been launched under the Interreg NEXT MED Program, with a budget of €83.7 million, aimed at supporting projects addressing climate change challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean area. The goal is to accelerate the green transition through collaborative and innovative solutions.
2024 and 2024-2026 ARPAS Activity Program
The Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sardinia (ARPAS) has outlined the 2024 and 2024-2026 Activity Program, focusing on environmental monitoring, inspections, and controls to protect the environmental heritage and prevent risks from natural and human-induced factors.
Sardinia Rural Development Program (PSR)
The PSR Sardinia invests in knowledge and innovation, stimulates the competitiveness of agricultural, agro-industrial, and forestry businesses, ensures sustainable environmental and climate management, and promotes balanced development of rural areas and communities.
Environmental Education Projects
Calls have been launched for municipalities, provinces, managing bodies of marine protected areas, and national and regional parks, divided into three co-financed action lines for the implementation of environmental education, information, communication, and awareness programs.
Interreg Italy-France “Marittimo” Program 2021-2027
The Monitoring Committee of the Interreg Italy-France “Marittimo” Program 2021-2027 has approved 40 projects, with a total funding of €73,983,761.32. Sardinian partners are involved in 36 of the 40 funded projects, focusing on priorities such as innovation, sustainability, and territorial development.
Infrastructure Projects in the Gallura Riviera
The Gallura Riviera has launched four new infrastructure projects focused on:
- Cycling Paths: creating dedicated routes to promote sustainable mobility.
- Roads: improving existing roads to facilitate access to coastal areas.
- Roadway Redevelopment: renovation and maintenance of road infrastructures.
Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area Projects
The Tavolara – Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area, which includes the municipalities of Olbia, Loiri Porto San Paolo, and San Teodoro, is engaged in several activities:
- Environmental Education: through the Environmental Education and Sustainability Center (CEAS), sustainability programs and educational activities are promoted for schools, local communities, and visitors.
- Conservation Projects: monitoring and protecting marine and coastal environments, with a focus on biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources.
Urban Redevelopment Projects in San Teodoro
The Municipality of San Teodoro has approved an agreement with the Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU) of the Politecnico di Milano, starting a scientific collaboration focused on sustainable urban regeneration. This agreement lays the groundwork for a project to redevelop the historic center and surrounding areas, aiming to enhance the existing heritage and promote sustainable development.
Urban Redevelopment Projects in Loiri Porto San Paolo
The Municipality of Loiri Porto San Paolo has outlined strategic interventions in its Integrated Activity and Organization Plan (PIAO), including:
- Urban Decor: improving urban aesthetics and implementing urban regeneration projects.
- Infrastructures: upgrading municipal roads, maintaining and enhancing road signage, and updating toponymy.
- Sustainable Mobility: improving public lighting systems and creating bicycle lanes.