Buying in Puglia: what overseas buyers should know
Puglia draws buyers who want the south of Italy, the long heel of the country with two coastlines, whitewashed towns and open countryside of olive groves. It appeals to those seeking a holiday home near the sea, a restoration project such as a trullo or masseria, or a longer-term base with a warm climate and a slower pace. Property is led by traditional stone homes, converted farmhouses and townhouses in the old centres, along with apartments and villas near the coast, positioned as one of Italy's more affordable and characterful regions.
What buyers are looking for in Puglia
Demand spreads between the coast and the countryside inland. The Valle d'Itria, taking in towns such as Ostuni, Locorotondo and Cisternino, is long-established with international buyers for its trulli and masserie, the traditional conical-roofed homes and farmhouses that many restore. Coastal towns and the Salento peninsula in the south offer apartments and villas near the sea, while historic centres such as Lecce hold townhouses within their baroque streets. Renovation projects remain a strong part of the market, and much of the appeal lies in land, character and the outdoor life.
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 Puglia, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Puglia
Where you buy in Puglia shapes the kind of home and lifestyle you find. The Valle d'Itria inland, around Ostuni, Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca, is known for trulli and masserie set among olive groves, and it is where many buyers take on a restoration. The Salento peninsula in the far south combines two coastlines with towns such as Gallipoli and Otranto, and Lecce is favoured for its baroque historic centre and its townhouses.
Property types run from traditional trulli and converted masserie to villas and apartments near the coast, townhouses in the old centres, and part-renovated projects. Many buyers weigh a turnkey home against a restoration with land. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
