Chinese, Hong Kong Buyers Eye Italy Homes Amid Flat Tax Pull

Wealthy buyers from mainland China and Hong Kong are showing rising interest in Italian property, with agents pointing to the country’s lifestyle appeal and tax rules as key draws.

Lifestyle and tax pull

Italy is becoming a magnet for wealthy property investors because of its high quality of life and flat tax regime, according to property agents.

The interest is not limited to European buyers, as mainland Chinese and Hong Kong investors are increasingly eyeing property in the country, agents say.

The appeal described by agents combines Italy’s lifestyle strengths with a tax structure designed to attract high-net-worth individuals.

Rome introduced the flat tax regime nine years ago to attract high-net-worth individuals.

Under the scheme’s latest rules, foreign residents are allowed to make a flat annual tax payment of €300,000 (US$342,000) on all their overseas income.

Property agents say that incentive has become a draw for wealthy investors considering Italy.

Knight Frank sees rising participation

Knight Frank said the number of participants in the scheme has risen from about 3,000 in 2024 to roughly 5,000 currently.

That increase suggests the flat tax regime has become more prominent among the wealthy foreign residents it was designed to attract.

The property consultancy has also reported a surge in prime residential property sales in Italy.

According to Knight Frank, prime residential property deals in the first eight months of the year were up by about 140 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.

The figures cited by the consultancy add market context to agents’ view that Italy is drawing more attention from wealthy international buyers.

Source: South China Morning Post