Buying in Imperia: what overseas buyers should know
Imperia is a provincial capital on the Riviera dei Fiori, formed from the two former towns of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio around a working port and a long tradition of olive oil production. It appeals to buyers who want an established Ligurian town with everyday services and a genuine local rhythm rather than a pure resort. Overseas purchasers, including buyers from the UK, look here for seafront apartments, period homes and villas with sea views across the two centres and the hills behind.
What buyers are looking for in Imperia
Property in Imperia reflects its two halves: Porto Maurizio, with its older upper town and homes above the harbour, and Oneglia, more of a commercial and market centre near the port. Apartments dominate close to the seafront and the marinas, while villas and terraced homes sit on the surrounding slopes among olive groves. As a year-round town, Imperia draws both permanent residents and second-home buyers, which keeps demand steady across the seasons.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK buyers can own freely in Italy under reciprocity and will need a codice fiscale, the Italian tax code. As a visitor you can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area, with an elective residency visa available for longer stays. A notaio, the public notary, oversees the purchase. The main costs are the registration or purchase tax, which is lower on a main home than on a second home, plus IMU on second homes. Italian banks do lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit, and a local partner agent can point you to fuller detail. Start your search to see property for sale in Imperia, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Imperia
Imperia sits toward the centre of the Liguria coast and divides into two areas that feel quite different. Porto Maurizio has an older upper town and homes with views over the harbour, while Oneglia is the more workaday market and port district, with apartments near the seafront. The hills behind both centres hold villas and terraced homes set among olive groves.
Along the coast to the west, Sanremo (San Remo) and Bordighera offer more resort-focused stock, while Santo Stefano al Mare lies close by with its marina. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
