Buying in Cortona: what overseas buyers should know
Cortona is a hilltop town in eastern Tuscany that draws buyers who want history, art and open countryside within easy reach of each other. Many are UK and international buyers looking for a second home or a slower way of living, and they are joined by those seeking a rural base with strong walking, cycling and food traditions. Property here ranges from stone town residences within the old walls to restored farmhouses and country homes set among olive groves and vineyards in the surrounding hills.
What buyers are looking for in Cortona
Inside the town you will find apartments and period residences with original features, courtyards and views across the Val di Chiana. Beyond the walls, demand centres on farmhouses, converted rural buildings and smaller country homes, often with land, terraces and space for a pool. Restoration projects appeal to buyers who want to shape a home to their own taste, while turnkey residences suit those who prefer to arrive and settle in. Well-connected positions with a view tend to hold their appeal.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK buyers can own freely in Italy on a reciprocal basis and will need a codice fiscale (tax number). As a visitor you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, with an elective residency visa available for longer stays. A notaio (public notary) oversees the purchase. The main costs are a registration or purchase tax, which is lower for a main home than a second home, plus IMU on second homes, and Italian banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit. This is a general summary, so take current local advice. Start your search to see property for sale in Cortona, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Cortona
Within the walls, the streets around the main squares offer town residences and apartments, many with historic detail and rooftop views, suited to buyers who want to walk to cafes, galleries and markets. Just outside, the hillsides towards the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno hold farmhouses, restored rural buildings and country homes with land, where privacy and views matter most. Cortona sits in Tuscany, close to the Umbrian border, so buyers often compare homes across both areas before deciding.
Property types span compact town flats, larger period residences, and rural homes with olive groves, vineyards or space to add a pool. Some buyers choose a project to restore, while others want a residence ready to move into. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
