Italy continues to rank among the most attractive destinations for those looking to purchase property in 2025, not only for its cultural and scenic appeal, but also for its investment potential. The number of foreign investors showing interest in the Italian real estate market is steadily on the rise. But where are these investors coming from, and which cities and regions are drawing the most attention?
Based on the volume of online searches, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States top the list, followed by France and the United Kingdom. Interest is particularly strong in major cities and in well-known tourist destinations such as Sardinia and Sicily.
This trend emerges from a study carried out by Century 21 Italia and Wikicasa, which analyzed nearly three million online real estate searches between 2022 and 2025 to identify who these foreign investors are and what is driving their interest.
The “Window Shopping” Phase
The first step in any property search is often “window shopping” — browsing online or in physical listings without the immediate intention to buy, but motivated by curiosity, passion, or early-stage interest.
Which Countries Are Investing Most in Italian Real Estate
So who, exactly, is looking to invest in Italy?
The analysis shows that in 2025, more than 20 percent of foreign searches for Italian real estate came from Germany, the leading country by number of property-related clicks.
Switzerland ranks second, though its share has declined since 2022, followed by the United States, where interest has nearly doubled in recent years, rising from 7.14 percent in 2022 to 12.14 percent in 2025, securing third place. France and the United Kingdom follow with relatively stable levels of interest, at 11.35 percent and 7.29 percent respectively, followed by Spain (6.59%), Romania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium.
Why Italy Appeals to Foreign Investors
“The continued interest of international users in the Italian real estate market clearly signals the strength and appeal of our country,” explained Marco Tilesi, CEO and founder of Century 21 Italia. “The steady attention from historically significant markets like the United States, Germany, France, and Switzerland shows a deep-rooted trust that renews and strengthens year after year.”
Where Foreign Buyers Are Looking in Italy
And what are foreign buyers seeking?
“Searches from abroad show strong interest both in major cities such as Milan and Rome, where purchases are often investment-driven, and in tourist and cultural destinations such as Lake Como, Liguria, and the historic art cities, chosen for lifestyle and emotional value,” said Mattia Colantuoni, Commercial Director at Wikicasa.
“We are also seeing significant growth in demand for Sicily and Sardinia, areas that combine extraordinary natural beauty with a real estate market that still offers considerable potential.”
What Foreign Buyers Want in a Property
In recent years, the type of properties sought by foreign buyers has shifted: interest has moved away from smaller apartments toward higher-end properties, with greater attention paid to finishes and a preference for centrally located homes close to services and transportation.
The Most Desired Cities Among Foreign Investors
Rome stands firmly on the podium of most-searched cities, making a notable leap from 7.48 percent of online interest in 2023 to 9.54 percent in 2025. Trieste and Milan follow, though both saw slight decreases compared to 2023.
Other cities showing increased interest from foreign investors include Bari (+0.41%), Turin (+0.69%), Palermo (+0.84%), and Genoa (+0.51%).
As for regions, Sardinia and Sicily saw a marked surge in foreign interest: Sardinia rose from 2.25 percent of online searches in 2023 to 3.40 percent in 2025, while Sicily increased from 1.37 percent to 2.77 percent.
