Italy: housing

How many homes are sold in Italy?

Notaries recorded 282,274 property sales and transfers in the fourth quarter of 2025, 0.9% fewer than a year earlier, according to Istat's sales of real estate units and loans release of 24 June 2026. Homes accounted for 93.8% of them, 264,634 deals.

The figures count notarial deeds transferring property for payment, so they include more than ordinary home purchases. Residential deals fell 0.8% on the year, with falls in the South and gains in the North-West and the Islands. In the third quarter there were 220,404 deeds.

Official sources: Istat: sales of real estate units and loans, Q3–Q4 2025 (PDF)

How many mortgages are taken out in Italy?

104,669 mortgage-secured loans were recorded in Italy in the fourth quarter of 2025, 6.1% more than a year earlier, according to Istat's sales of real estate units and loans release. In the third quarter there were 88,183, up 10.8% on the year.

The figures count loans secured on property and registered with a notary, so they may include loans for business property as well as homes. They show how many loans were made, not their value or interest rate.

Official sources: Istat: sales of real estate units and loans, Q3–Q4 2025 (PDF)

How many new homes are being approved in Italy?

The number of dwellings in new residential buildings with permits rose 8.0% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to Istat's building permits release of 9 October 2026. Compared with the first quarter, seasonally adjusted, dwellings rose 3.8%.

Permits show planned construction, not homes completed, and some approved projects are delayed or never built. The 2026 figures are provisional. Non-residential floor area also rose, by 5.1% on the year.

Official sources: Istat: building permits indicators, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What home renovation tax breaks does Italy offer?

Italy's 2026 budget law keeps the renovation tax bonus at 50% for a main home and 36% for other properties, and the furniture bonus up to €5,000, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance's summary of the 2026 budget law.

The bonuses let owners deduct part of the cost of renovation work from their income tax over several years. The same law changes short-term rental rules, so that letting is treated as a business activity from the third property instead of the fifth. Check eligibility rules with the Revenue Agency before starting work.

Official sources: MEF: main measures of the 2026 Budget Law

How much have housing costs risen in Italy?

Prices in the housing, water, electricity and fuels division of Italy's consumer price index were 9.1% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to Istat's final consumer price release for August 2026. Electricity, gas and other household energy rose 14.4%.

The division includes actual rents, maintenance, water and refuse collection as well as energy, but energy drove most of the rise. It does not include mortgage payments or house prices, which are measured separately.

Official sources: Istat: consumer prices, August 2026 final (PDF)

What share of Italy is urban?

In 2025, the share of people living in urban areas in Italy was 69.7%, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 26th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 69.6%. Worldwide: 76th of 193.

How many people in Italy live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Italy was 0.0%, according to UN-Habitat. The figure has been the same every year since 2006. Europe & Central Asia median: 0.3%; Italy is 31st highest of 43. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 153rd highest.

What share of people in Italy have electricity?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in Italy was 100.0%, according to the World Bank. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. It is 1st highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 100.0%. World rank, highest first: 1st of 193.

What is access to safe water in Italy?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Italy at 96.8% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 96.7%; Italy is 24th highest of 51. Worldwide: 36th of 134.

What share of people in Italy have safe sanitation?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Italy at 78.2% in 2024. The peak was 79.2% in 2005 and the low 78.2% in 2022. It is 32nd highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 90.2%. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 50th highest.

What is access to clean cooking in Italy?

The WHO puts the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Italy at 99.0% in 2024. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 99.0%, and Italy placed 21st highest of 51. Worldwide: 45th of 192.