Buying in Tuscany: what overseas buyers should know
Tuscany draws buyers who want a home in one of Italy's most recognisable regions, a landscape of vineyards, olive groves and hill towns set between Florence and the coast. It appeals to those looking for a second home, a place to retire in time, or a renovation project to make their own. Property here ranges from restored farmhouses and stone country residences to apartments in historic centres and estates with land, positioned across a region known as much for its food and wine as for its art.
What buyers are looking for in Tuscany
Demand spreads across the region rather than sitting in one place. The Chianti hills between Florence and Siena remain sought after for country homes, while the Val d'Orcia and the area around Cortona and Arezzo attract buyers who want farmhouses with views and land. Coastal Tuscany and the towns near Lucca and Pisa offer a different pace, and the historic cities hold apartments within their old walls. Renovated homes, part-restored projects and turnkey residences all feature, and much of the appeal lies in privacy, land and long-established local character.
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 Tuscany, or contact our team to be connected with a local partner agent.
Where to find property for sale in Tuscany
Where you buy in Tuscany shapes the kind of home and lifestyle you get. The Chianti hills between Florence and Siena are known for country homes and vineyards, while the area around Cortona and the wider province of Arezzo is favoured for farmhouses, land and long views towards the Val di Chiana. Siena and its surrounding countryside offer both apartments within the historic centre and rural residences a short drive out.
Property types follow the setting. Restored stone farmhouses, estates with olive groves or vines, part-renovated projects and apartments in walled towns all feature, and buyers often weigh a turnkey home against a project to complete. Explore our collections to shortlist by the way you want to live.
