Buying Guide Details
Buying Property in Sardinia (Sardegna)
Where to buy property in Sardinia (Sardegna)
The most popular properties on this beautiful Mediterranean island are on the coast, and with magnificent sandy beaches and clear turquoise seas it is easy to see why tourists and property buyers, both Italian and foreign, favour them. Around the Costa Smerelda in the northeast, and in the chic resort of Porto Cervo in particular, property prices are very high, matching the Amalfi coast in monetary and quality terms.
Alghero is the hub of development on the west coast, a charming port from which you can travel by road or sea to a variety of resorts up and down the coast, including Stintino and Bosa. In general, the northern coast is better developed than the south, and property prices are cheaper at the southern end of the island.
Inland there are examples of the derelict farmhouses so fondly coveted by overseas property buyers on the Italian mainland, and again prices for this kind of renovation project are very favourable on Sardinia. If prices seem too high on the coast in your favoured area, look just a little further into the hinterland and properties become notably more affordable.
With the odd exception, property on Sardinia is not as expensive as on Sicily. As yet, tourist numbers do not match those on Sicily and those that come are predominantly Italian – it’s still largely unknown to the British but with good, low-cost services to two of the island’s airports, there is potential for growth to this exceptional Mediterranean jewel.
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The Process of Buying Property in Sardinia (Sardegna)
- While the amount of Italian red tape is well known, and bureaucracy tends to move rather slowly, buying property in Sardinia (Sardegna) is actually pretty straightforward – if somewhat time consuming
- Anyone wishing to buy property in Sardinia (Sardegna) must first obtain a tax identification number (codice fiscale) from the Italian authorities
- There are then three main property buying stages. The property buyer makes an offer, which commits him/her to buying the property in Sardinia (Sardegna) at the given price. If the seller accepts, a deposit (usually 10%) is paid
- Both parties then sign a legally binding buying proposal (compromesso di vendita). This outlines the details of the transaction, including the scheduled completion date
- Should the seller withdraw, they must pay the property buyer double the value of the deposit. If the property buyer pulls out, he/she loses the deposit
- On completion, both parties sign the final contract (rogito) in the presence of a notary, who then issues the deeds and informs the land registry to transfer ownership. The remainder of the balance, plus all taxes, must then be paid at this point.
Homes Overseas Property Club
Homes Overseas has joined forces with a collection of IFA specialists to form the Homes Overseas Property Club (HOPC), designed for existing and prospective overseas property homeowners.
The Club – which has access to international lawyers in no fewer than 43 different countries - has been set up in order to guide people through some of the various issues relating to buying and maintaining a property overseas. It offers advice on a range of topics, including financial, legal, insurance, taxation, property management and foreign currency matters.
For further information please telephone 0845 838 7142 or email info@homesoverseaspropertyclub.com
Fees & Taxes
- Property buyers should set aside around 15% of the purchase price to cover costs
- Stamp duty/land registration tax for non-residents (i.e. second-property owners) varies from 10% of the declared price for urban property in Sardinia (Sardegna) up to 17% for a rural property in Sardinia (Sardegna). Most homes are considered urban properties in Sardinia (Sardegna)
- Residents or those intending to make a permanent move will pay 4% stamp duty
- VAT on new properties ranges from 10 to 20%, depending on whether the property in Sardinia (Sardegna) is considered a ‘luxury property. This is usually included in the price
- Reduced rates of 4% VAT are available for those who build their own property in Sardinia (Sardegna)
- Estate agent’s fees are usually between 3 and 5% per cent, notary fees average around 3% and legal costs tend to amount to around 2% of the purchase price
- Local taxes (ICI) of between 0.4 and 0.7% also apply to anyone owning a property in Sardinia (Sardegna).
Getting there
There are regular direct flights to Alghero and Cagliari from the UK. There are also a variety of ferry routes from the south of France and the Italian mainland.
View property for sale in Sardinia (Sardegna)
Buying property in Sardinia (Sardegna)