English-Speaking Lawyers in Cagliari

Question 1

What taxes apply to buying property in Cagliari or Sardinia?

Answer

The national framework applies: resale (second home) 9 % imposta di registro; prima casa 2 %; new-build IVA 10 % or 4 % prima casa. Sardinia does not impose additional regional property taxes on foreign buyers, though the fascia costiera restrictions effectively add cost to coastal renovations via mandatory Soprintendenza and RAS consents.

Question 2

What is the "1 Euro House" scheme in Sardinia and is it genuinely free?

Answer

Several Sardinian comuni (including Ollolai, Nulvi, Bonorva) have offered properties for symbolic prices (€1–€5,000) to attract new residents and combat depopulation. These are not free — buyers must commit to renovation within 3–5 years (typically €25,000–80,000 minimum spend), register residency within a set period, and may be required to pay a refundable deposit. An avvocato reviews the sale contract and commune regulations before you commit — the renovation obligations are legally binding.

Question 3

Are non-EU buyers allowed to purchase in Sardinia's coastal areas?

Answer

Italy's reciprocity principle applies nationwide, including Sardinia. Non-EU nationals from reciprocity countries (most Western nations) may purchase freely. The fascia costiera restrictions are planning-based, not nationality-based — they apply to everyone. However, Sardinia's Piano Paesaggistico Regionale (PPR) zoning designations can significantly affect what you can do with a coastal property. An avvocato's pre-purchase PPR check is essential.

Question 4

What is the Elective Residency Visa process for moving to Cagliari?

Answer

Non-EU retirees apply for an Elective Residency Visa at the Italian consulate in their home country. Required: passive income proof (~€31,000/year minimum for a single person, €38,000 for a couple), Italian health insurance or evidence of coverage, proof of Italian accommodation. After arrival, register at the Comune di Cagliari Anagrafe and apply for a permesso di soggiorno at the Questura di Cagliari. Cagliari's year-round mild climate and affordable cost of living make it popular with northern European retirees.

Question 5

How does Sardinia's regional autonomy affect property law?

Answer

Sardinia (and other Regioni a Statuto Speciale — Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige, Aosta Valley, Friuli) have extended legislative competence in some areas. For property law, the key Sardinian-specific layer is the Piano Paesaggistico Regionale (PPR), which is more restrictive than standard Italian planning law in coastal areas. The standard national conveyancing process (compromesso, rogito, notaio, imposta di registro) applies in full. An avvocato in Cagliari practising droit immobilier will navigate both layers.

Factor	Detail
Imposta di registro (resale)	9 % second home; 2 % prima casa; Sardinia same as national framework
Average apartment price (Cagliari)	~€1,800–2,800/m²; sea-view premium adds 30–50 %
Sardinia rural property	€20,000–150,000 for village properties; "1 Euro" schemes in select comuni
Airport	Cagliari Elmas — year-round flights to UK, Germany, France, Netherlands
Regional autonomy	Sardinia is a Regione a Statuto Speciale — some regional laws differ
Bar association	Ordine degli Avvocati di Cagliari
Language	Italian; Sardinian (Sardo) spoken; reasonable English-speaking legal community in Cagliari
Property market note	Non-residents may face surcharge in some coastal/protected zones under regional planning rules

English-Speaking Lawyers in Cagliari

Studio Legale Sardegna

Avvocati Associati Sardi

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