Are house prices in Italy rising more or less than inflation? (2024)

FAQs

Are house prices going down in Italy? ›

If in nominal terms housing prices in 2023 will see a +1 per cent (compared to +3.1 per cent in 2022), in reality this will translate into a decline of 4.8 per cent when adjusted for inflation.

Let's find out the situation in detail. According to idealista's house price index, the average price of homes for sale in Italy has risen slightly on a quarterly basis by 1.8% compared to 12 months ago, stabilising at 1,847 euros/m2.

📈 Comparing Housing Prices vs.

Increases in average home prices have far exceeded the rate of inflation. Home prices have increased 1,608% since 1970, while inflation has increased 644%. Throughout 2021, the inflation rate jumped 7.5% – nearly 4x the Federal Reserve's target inflation rate of 2%.

Therefore, for young people planning to buy property in Italy, now could be the perfect time. Originally set to expire in June 2022, the measure has been extended to December this year, giving buyers a further opportunity to get financial help with purchasing their first property.

Italy house prices grew 3.0% YoY in Sep 2022, following an increase of 5.2% YoY in the previous quarter.

The record low interest rates since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to an unprecedented housing market boom worldwide and while the effect was more modest in Italy, house prices rose by 2.5 percent in 2021.

Living in Italy is significantly less expensive than living in the U.S. The simplest reason is that housing and health insurance costs are much lower. But it doesn't stop there.

After decelerating sharply in the second half of 2022, Italy's real GDP is estimated to have rebounded in the first quarter of 2023 and is thereafter expected to return to more modest quarterly growth rates until end-2024.

Italy Inflation Rate is at 8.10%, compared to 8.70% last month and 7.30% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 2.11%.

During times of inflation, it's wise to take on a monthly mortgage payment that comes in under the maximum amount you can afford. Inflation increases the costs of other items, such as gas, food, clothing and electronics. This boosts your cost of living.

Is it good to buy property during inflation? ›

As long as inflation continues to rise, your savings will afford you more purchasing power now than they will in the future. Even if inflation and home prices seem high now, as long as inflation continues to increase house prices, you will be better off buying a house today than you will be tomorrow.

However, as high inflation costs press down on buyers, it could depress home values. Although he doesn't expect a major housing market crash, Buehler says he sees home values flattening out as inflation nestles into the housing market.

LONG TERM SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA (V.S.U.) (5 YEARS)

Anyone wishing to make a real estate investment in Italy who does not intend to transfer residence can obtain a long term Schengen visa (5 years), if the requirements of their stay in the country do not exceed 90 days every 6 months.

Buying or renting depends on future plans

Another key point when choosing to rent or buy is your personal and professional plans. Are you planning to move? Does your job require you to change cities often? If the answer is yes, renting is the best option; buying a house, on the other hand, is a long-term commitment.

There are no restrictions for foreigners who want to buy properties in Italy. However, the Italian authorities have the power of making some verifications of criminal records and other aspects.

Taking the top spot for the most expensive place to buy in Italy is Pietrasanta in Versilia, in the province of Lucca, which the researchers also state holds first place in the top 100 most expensive places to rent a house too.

What are the hottest real estate markets in the country? ›

"The momentum in the housing market has shifted to the Sun Belt, and especially to Georgia, the Carolinas and Florida," Ostrowski said in the analysis. "While many parts of the U.S. are experiencing price declines, home values have held steady in the Southeast."

Italy is far less expensive than the U.S. when it comes to housing. According to April 2023 data from Numbeo.com, average rents in Italy are almost 55.3% lower than they are in the U.S. For a one-bedroom city center apartment, you can expect to pay about $718 per month in rent.

Turin, Palermo, and Naples are the cheapest cities to live in in Italy. The cost of living in Milan is just slightly higher than the living costs in Rome. The cost of living in Florence is only slightly lower than the cost of living in Rome. The cost of living in Turin is 19% lower than in Florence.

Abruzzo. Compared to Tuscany and Umbria, Abruzzo is the cheapest region to buy a property in Italy. There are numerous property options, from beachside apartments to inland farmhouses and historic palazzi. Abruzzo's inland countryside is full of picturesque towns and ancient Roman ruins.

China's lagging growth a key threat this year, IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said, while the US is 'most resilient. '

Italian Gdp is expected to increase in both 2023 (+1.2%) and 2024 (+1.1%), albeit slower than in 2022.

Demand-Pull Inflation vs. European Cost-Push Inflation. Core inflation, which excludes volatile energy and food prices, has been significantly higher in the U.S. than in Europe. Higher core prices are notable because economists generally consider core inflation data a better predictor of more persistent inflation.

The country is also well known for its influential and innovative business economic sector, an industrious and competitive agricultural sector (Italy is the world's largest wine producer), and manufacturers of creatively designed, high-quality products: including automobiles, ships, home appliances, and designer ...

Is it better to buy a house during inflation or recession? ›

During a traditional recession, the Fed will usually lower interest rates. This creates an incentive for people to spend money and stimulate the economy. It also typically leads to more affordable mortgage rates, which leads to more opportunity for homebuyers.

After peaking at 6.2% in 2022, we expect inflation to fall to 3.5% for 2023. Over 2024 to 2027, we expect inflation to average just 1.8%—below the Fed's 2% target.

Inflation allows borrowers to pay lenders back with money worth less than when it was originally borrowed, which benefits borrowers. When inflation causes higher prices, the demand for credit increases, raising interest rates, which benefits lenders.

Holding long-term fixed-rate investments, such as long-term bonds, fixed annuities, and some types of life insurance policies, during inflation can be bad because their returns may not keep up with inflation.

Real Estate Income

Real estate works well with inflation. This is because, as inflation rises, so do property values, and so does the amount a landlord can charge for rent. This results in the landlord earning a higher rental income over time. This helps to keep pace with the rise in inflation.

Economic factors, such as inflation, have a direct impact on the real estate market. As with other goods and services, real estate prices may rise alongside inflation. This is due to the fact that real estate is commonly considered a safe and stable investment that can be used to combat the effects of inflation.

While a housing price correction is expected, we aren't in a housing bubble. Demand for homes remains high, and there are fewer home sellers than there were in 2022. And while the market is cooling, experts don't expect an actual housing crash or a housing bubble burst in 2023.

Despite the fact that there are some troubling trends in the housing market, we're likely not going to see a crash in 2023 or 2024. While house prices are likely to drop, demand for housing caused by America's ongoing housing shortage is likely to keep prices relatively stable.

Average Home Value Increase Per Year

National appreciation values average around 3.5 to 3.8 percent per year. Ownerly explains that the average home appreciation per year is based on local housing market trends as well as the economy, and this makes for a great deal of fluctuation.

Lazio is the most popular region

Lazio, which includes Italy's capital Rome, is home to some 2,800 Americans, making it the most popular region among US nationals.

Can an American just move to Italy? ›

Living in Italy as a US citizen is possible if you have the right permit. There are 2 types of residence permits in Italy: 1. Permesso di Soggiorno: a temporary, renewable residence permit with varying durations of validity.

Americans already in Italy without a visa will have to leave Italy to obtain one before they will be able to gain resident status. Upon arrival in Italy, the American must obtain a permesso di soggiorno (permit of stay).

You hardly need any cash at all. You can use your credit or debit card wherever there is a PoS (point of sale) machine. Your card needs to be on the Mastercard or VISA international network to function. (Most businesses in Italy refuse Amex and Diners because they charge too much commission.)

Documents you need to rent a home in Italy

You'll need two things when signing a lease: your documents and a deposit. As for the documents you need to rent a house in Italy, you won't have to pay any special fees. All you need is an ID card or passport and Italian tax code.

The average rent price in Italy is 800 EUR (880 USD) a month. However, this is just the average—you will find rental prices to range from 490 to 1,550 EUR (540 to 1,700 USD). Below is a table with monthly rental prices by region, from most expensive to least expensive.

In conclusion, Italy does tax retirement income, including US social security benefits, but there are tax treaties and agreements in place to avoid double taxation. As a retiree in Italy, you may also be subject to Italian social security contributions if you work or have income in Italy.

The national health service in Italy, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), provides residents with free or low-cost healthcare that includes access to general practitioners (GPs), treatment at public hospitals, subsidised medicines, lab services, ambulance services and certain specialist care.

It should be paid only once in a year and it includes a fixed fee based on the square meters of the house, and the number of people living in that place. For this tax you will receive a letter straight at your house address.

After decelerating sharply in the second half of 2022, Italy's real GDP is estimated to have rebounded in the first quarter of 2023 and is thereafter expected to return to more modest quarterly growth rates until end-2024.

There are no restrictions for foreigners who want to buy properties in Italy. However, the Italian authorities have the power of making some verifications of criminal records and other aspects.

Is it cheaper to live in Italy or Spain? ›

The average cost of living in Italy ($1320) is 6% more expensive than in Spain ($1246). Italy ranked 36th vs 41st for Spain in the list of the most expensive countries in the world. The average after-tax salary is enough to cover living expenses for 1.3 months in Italy compared to 1.4 months in Spain.

In 2022, the return of inflation drastically changed the economic landscape in Italy as well as the rest of Europe. The average annual growth of the Harmonised Index of Consumers Prices (HICP) in Italy reached 8.7% (compared to 1.9% in 2021), and the monthly change over the previous year reached 12.3% in November 2022.

In 2021, the incidence rate of absolute poverty among families in Italy was 7.5 percent.

Milan and Rome are the most expensive Italian cities to live in, but that's also where you'll generally get paid more.

Buying property in Italy does not give owners the right to permesso di soggiorno, an Italian permit to stay. However, owning property can strengthen your application for an Italian elective residency visa if you prove you have stable and sufficient funds to support your stay without employment.