ADVICE FOR PROSPECTIVE BUYERS
This article is for investors who are considering entering the market for buy-to-let in Sicily, and existing property owners who are thinking about expanding their portfolio. It’s the final part of our comprehensive series of guides for owners.
Is it profitable to rent out a holiday home in Sicily?
Sicily is one of the most attractive markets in Southern Europe for buying an Airbnb or a holiday home to rent out. Visitor numbers are growing steadily – in 2024 the island welcomed 21.5 million tourists, up around 4% on the previous year. In the past it was a traditional domestic destination, but now in the same period international arrivals rose by 11% over the same period. The regional government has invested heavily in extending the season by promoting the island as a winter sun destination, and this is paying dividends. Growth is no longer concentrated in July and August or limited to established destinations like Taormina.
As well as the raw visitor numbers, Italy’s regulatory environment for short-term lets is far more owner-friendly than those of Spain, Portugal and France, where hosting licences have been significantly restricted. There is a clear framework to follow, and you will need to stay within those lines, but if you do so the returns can be excellent.
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Where are the best areas of Sicily to buy a holiday home?
The areas we know best, and where we think the investment case is strongest, are the city of Palermo and the coastal towns to the east of it. The city itself is Italy’s fifth largest, with a year-round cultural calendar, strong urban infrastructure and an international airport with direct connections across Europe. Mondello, Palermo’s glossy beach district, delivers remarkable peak-season income with an offseason that’s boosted by being just a bus ride from the city centre.
Cefalù, forty minutes east along the coast, combines a UNESCO-listed Norman cathedral, a stunning two-kilometre sandy beach and exceptional tourist demand with convenient airport access.Â
For buyers willing to look slightly off the beaten track, the coastal villages of Mongerbino and the Santa Flavia-Porticello-Aspra stretch offer genuine Sicilian character, lower entry prices and less competition in the rental market. These are the areas where we see sharp-eyed investors getting ahead of wider demand.
Further afield, Taormina is still the premium market, although sale prices are extremely high. The Baroque towns of the Val di Noto are growing quickly in international profile, and the expansion of Trapani airport at the island’s western tip could make that province an interesting growth market.
How Solemar can help
Our sister company, Property in Sicily, is the only real estate agency in Sicily dedicated exclusively to the needs of the international market. As well as offering you a wide selection of properties in their carefully curated listings, they can undertake property scouting to fit your requisites and budget, and even visit homes on your behalf.
What features make the most popular holiday homes in Sicily?
Sleeping capacity for four or more
The market for micro properties is saturated in cities and beach towns. To stand out from the crowds, buy a place that can sleep four or more, or renovate to reconfigure it and increase your bed count. It helps if you can offer flexibility too – guests can search portal sites by the number of beds as well as the number of possible guests. Obviously your master bedroom needs a double bed, but elsewhere, twins that can be pushed together are appreciated.
Light and outdoor space
While Sicily is a cultural treasure trove, sunshine is still a huge priority for most visitors who choose to vacation here. So offer a bright house with outdoor spaces. Ground floor properties in the old town neighbourhoods will not see a lot of direct sunshine, but a sea-view or south-facing balcony or terrace is an outstanding investment. Top floor apartments with views over the neighbouring rooftops have a real pull.
Light and outdoor space
While Sicily is a cultural treasure trove, sunshine is still a huge priority for most visitors who choose to vacation here. So offer a bright house with outdoor spaces. Ground floor properties in the old town neighbourhoods will not see a lot of direct sunshine, but a sea-view or south-facing balcony or terrace is an outstanding investment. Top floor apartments with views over the neighbouring rooftops have a real pull.
Somewhere to swim
Whether it’s the sensational seafront of Cefalù, the bustling beach of Mondello, the exclusive coastline of Mongerbino or the picturesque coves of Sant’Eli, we love the sea and focus our work around it. If you do buy inland and want to earn from your property, investing in a swimming pool elevates your market appeal like no other feature can.
Somewhere to swim
Whether it’s the sensational seafront of Cefalù, the bustling beach of Mondello, the exclusive coastline of Mongerbino or the picturesque coves of Sant’Eli, we love the sea and focus our work around it. If you do buy inland and want to earn from your property, investing in a swimming pool elevates your market appeal like no other feature can.
How Solemar can help
One other feature that makes Property in Sicily stand out from the competition in Sicily is its project management division. The agency has overseen construction and renovation work on all scales, collaborating with the most reliable local professionals and tradespeople to deliver a first class end product.
Because of the close collaboration between the businesses, we would be able to advise on any work that is done on your new home, helping ensure that it is perfectly tailored to the needs of the rental market.Â
How do I find a trustworthy agency to help me buy-to-let in Sicily?
Start by verifying that any agency you consider is registered with the Chamber of Commerce (Registro delle Imprese) specifically as an Agente in Affari e Mediazione Immobiliare. This registration requires professional examinations and legal accountability that more general categories do not. Membership of FIAIP, Italy’s foremost association of real estate professionals, is a further minimum indicator of legitimacy.
Look for complete transparency on fees from the first conversation. Reputable agencies will confirm their mandate to sell any property on request and will raise any planning compliance issues proactively rather than waiting until the purchase agreement is in front of you. Fees in Sicily typically run between 3% and 5%.
How do I find a trustworthy agency to help me buy-to-let in Sicily?
Start by verifying that any agency you consider is registered with the Chamber of Commerce (Registro delle Imprese) specifically as an Agente in Affari e Mediazione Immobiliare. This registration requires professional examinations and legal accountability that more general categories do not. Membership of FIAIP, Italy’s foremost association of real estate professionals, is a further minimum indicator of legitimacy.
Look for complete transparency on fees from the first conversation. Reputable agencies will confirm their mandate to sell any property on request and will raise any planning compliance issues proactively rather than waiting until the purchase agreement is in front of you. Fees in Sicily typically run between 3% and 5%.
Can foreigners buy property in Sicily?Â
Yes, and with very few restrictions. EU citizens face none whatsoever. Non-EU nationals can also buy in almost all cases: the general rule is that Italy applies reciprocity, meaning buyers from countries where Italians can purchase property are free to do the same here. This covers the vast majority of nationalities.
The main practical requirement for all buyers is an Italian tax code (codice fiscale), without which no financial transaction in Italy is possible. This is straightforward to obtain, either through an Italian consulate in your home country or in person in Sicily. It is worth noting that owning property in Italy does not automatically confer any right of residency. Non-EU buyers planning to spend more than 90 days in any 180-day period will need an appropriate visa.
Can foreigners buy property in Sicily?Â
Yes, and with very few restrictions. EU citizens face none whatsoever. Non-EU nationals can also buy in almost all cases: the general rule is that Italy applies reciprocity, meaning buyers from countries where Italians can purchase property are free to do the same here. This covers the vast majority of nationalities.
The main practical requirement for all buyers is an Italian tax code (codice fiscale), without which no financial transaction in Italy is possible. This is straightforward to obtain, either through an Italian consulate in your home country or in person in Sicily. It is worth noting that owning property in Italy does not automatically confer any right of residency. Non-EU buyers planning to spend more than 90 days in any 180-day period will need an appropriate visa.
What’s the buying process and how long does it take?Â
The process follows a clear sequence and typically completes within two to four months of an accepted offer.
First, a purchase proposal is made in writing, accompanied by a deposit of around €5-10,000, held by the conveyancing agency or a third party. If accepted, both buyer and seller sign a preliminary contract (compromesso), which legally binds both parties. From this point on, either one will owe the other a financial penalty if they don’t see the deal through to completion.
Following this initial agreement, over a period of four to six weeks, an impartial state official called a notary (notaio) conducts legal due diligence on titles and planning compliance, while the buyer is free to engage a technical surveyor (geometra) to assess the property’s structural condition.
The process concludes at the final deed (rogito), where the buyer pays the balance and the notary formally transfers ownership.
How Solemar can help
You can read a comprehensive guide to buying a home in the Sicily on the Property in Sicily website