Buying in Liguria: what overseas buyers should know
Liguria draws buyers who want the Italian Riviera, a narrow coastal region of harbour towns, palm-lined seafronts and hills that rise steeply from the water. It appeals to those seeking a holiday home near the sea, a lettable apartment, or a longer-term base within reach of both France and the Alps. Property is led by apartments with sea views and balconies, along with period villas, townhouses and homes in the hills behind the coast, positioned as a milder, well-connected corner of Italy.
What buyers are looking for in Liguria
Demand concentrates along the western Riviera and its resort towns, where apartments near the seafront and villas in the surrounding hills are the mainstay. The stretch towards the French border, taking in Sanremo, Bordighera and the smaller coastal towns, has long attracted international buyers for its climate and its gardens. Historic centres hold townhouses and apartments within their old streets, while the hills offer homes with terraces, views and more land. Well-positioned sea-view apartments and restored period homes hold their appeal across the region.
Buying as an overseas buyer
UK buyers can own freely in Italy under reciprocity and will need a codice fiscale (an Italian 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. Italian banks lend to non-residents, usually with a larger deposit. This is a brief summary, so take local advice on your own position. Start your search to see property for sale in Liguria, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Liguria
The western Riviera holds much of the international demand in Liguria. Sanremo is the largest of the resort towns, known for its seafront, gardens and apartments with sea views, while Bordighera nearby is favoured for its milder climate and period villas. Further along the coast, Alassio is a long-established resort with a sandy bay, and Imperia combines a working town with harbours and homes in the hills. Smaller towns such as Ospedaletti and Santo Stefano al Mare offer a quieter pace close to the sea.
Property types run from sea-view apartments and seafront residences to period villas, townhouses in the historic centres and homes in the hills with terraces and gardens. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
