Buying a second home means juggling practical realities with lifestyle wishes. You might crave quiet mornings by the sea or a vibrant city life within walking distance of cafés and culture. Yet every choice—urban flat, seaside retreat or village house—carries trade-offs: service levels, maintenance bills,
resale prospects and exposure to seasonal markets. Recent policy moves and shifting foreign interest have changed the math in some regions, so it pays to look beyond charm and factor in incentives, rules and running costs.
What’s new
– On 20/02/2026 and 25/02/2026 authorities and the press highlighted fresh incentives and growing international demand in some Italian regions. Those developments can improve affordability and tilt buyer preferences, but they
also introduce new compliance questions: who qualifies, how funds are treated for tax purposes, and what obligations come attached.
Three property types, three different calculations
City flats
– The upside: dependable services, steady rental markets and stronger liquidity. Well-located apartments with good energy performance tend to sell faster and hold value. For buyers who prize convenience, cultural life and reliable broadband for remote work,
an urban purchase usually reduces daily friction.
– The downside: higher purchase prices in prime locations and competition for good units. Planning restrictions in historic blocks can add complexity to renovations.
Seaside homes
– The upside: instant lifestyle appeal, beach access and potentially strong short-term rental yields during peak season.
– The downside: higher upkeep from salt and weather exposure, greater environmental risk (erosion, flooding) and more pronounced seasonality in demand. Insurance and specialized maintenance can eat into returns.
Coastal villages (borghi)
– The upside: characterful architecture, lower purchase prices and a sense of community that attracts long-stay buyers and those seeking relocation.
– The downside: fewer services, patchy transport links and often substantial renovation needs—especially where heritage rules apply. But when restoration is supported by local incentives, villages can be revived quickly and attract committed residents.
How recent incentives change the picture
Many regions now offer packages aimed at reversing depopulation: purchase grants, renovation subsidies, rental top-ups and administrative help. Tuscany, for example, combines direct funding with support for obtaining permits and completing heritage-compliant renovations. That combo shortens timelines and reduces procedural headaches, turning an otherwise daunting restoration into a manageable project.
Important caveats
– Grants can lower net acquisition or refurbishment costs, but they often come with conditions—residency requirements, renovation covenants or repayment clauses if milestones are missed. Verify eligibility and timing: delayed disbursements can create cash-flow headaches.
– Heritage protections may require specialist designers and approval processes that add time and expense. Budget for skilled technical advice.
Who’s buying now
– A mixed cohort: remote workers and young professionals chasing lower entry costs and lifestyle change; families looking for more space at a reasonable price; retirees seeking quiet and cultural amenities; entrepreneurs converting unused stock into tourist accommodation or coworking spaces. Foreign buyers—especially from elsewhere in the EU and North America—remain active, often preferring hill towns with good transport links and clear renovation rules. The pattern is selective revival, not wholesale gentrification.
Regulatory realities that matter
– Planning regimes, flood-zone classifications and insurance rules differ markedly between municipalities and coastal administrations. Permits, covenants tied to incentives and enforceable renovation obligations can sit on title and follow a property through future sales. Get everything in writing: subsidy terms, administrative timelines and the exact conditions that trigger payments or penalties. Missing a permit or misusing funds can lead to fines, clawbacks or legal exposure.
Practical checklist before you commit
– Connectivity: check fixed broadband and mobile speeds on site.
– Services: confirm access to schools, healthcare and emergency services.
– Transport: test road quality, public-transport frequency and seasonal accessibility.
– Permits & subsidies: request written details on zoning, permit timelines and subsidy conditions, including any residency or renovation covenants.
– Energy & maintenance: obtain an energy-performance certificate and realistic estimates for upgrades and coastal wear.
– Financial models: run conservative scenarios for short-term rental yields and five- to ten-year capital appreciation, including renovation contingencies.
– Local support: see whether the municipality offers a one-stop desk, technical assistance or certified supplier lists.
– Risk assessment: identify compliance, tax and environmental liabilities before signing.
What’s new
– On 20/02/2026 and 25/02/2026 authorities and the press highlighted fresh incentives and growing international demand in some Italian regions. Those developments can improve affordability and tilt buyer preferences, but they also introduce new compliance questions: who qualifies, how funds are treated for tax purposes, and what obligations come attached.0
What’s new
– On 20/02/2026 and 25/02/2026 authorities and the press highlighted fresh incentives and growing international demand in some Italian regions. Those developments can improve affordability and tilt buyer preferences, but they also introduce new compliance questions: who qualifies, how funds are treated for tax purposes, and what obligations come attached.1
What’s new
– On 20/02/2026 and 25/02/2026 authorities and the press highlighted fresh incentives and growing international demand in some Italian regions. Those developments can improve affordability and tilt buyer preferences, but they also introduce new compliance questions: who qualifies, how funds are treated for tax purposes, and what obligations come attached.2
What’s new
– On 20/02/2026 and 25/02/2026 authorities and the press highlighted fresh incentives and growing international demand in some Italian regions. Those developments can improve affordability and tilt buyer preferences, but they also introduce new compliance questions: who qualifies, how funds are treated for tax purposes, and what obligations come attached.3
What’s new
– On 20/02/2026 and 25/02/2026 authorities and the press highlighted fresh incentives and growing international demand in some Italian regions. Those developments can improve affordability and tilt buyer preferences, but they also introduce new compliance questions: who qualifies, how funds are treated for tax purposes, and what obligations come attached.4