Where to buy property in Apulia (Puglia)?

4 min read

Apulia (also called Puglia), located in the heel of Italy’s boot, is a region that offers a laid-back lifestyle, whether you opt for a coastal retreat or a home in the countryside. Famous for its stunning scenery, warm climate, and charming towns, Apulia has become an increasingly popular destination for expats looking to experience the Italian way of life.

In this article, we’ll explore the key regions of Apulia, the cost of living, and the property options available, helping you make an informed decision if you’re considering purchasing property in this beautiful part of Italy.

About Apulia

Surrounded by green hills and vineyards, boasting white sandy beaches and a spectacular coastline, Apulia blends traditional culture and natural beauty. The history of the region is shaped by the influences of the ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Normans, reflected in the unique architecture of the trulli-style buildings. These traditional conical stone houses date back as far as the 14th century and remain a unique landmark of Apulia. As one of the largest wine-growing regions in Italy, vineyards and wineries offer a vast selection of local wines – perfect to complement the excellent Italian cuisine.

In Apulia, expats will find not only a peaceful environment but also a thriving economy, especially in tourism and agriculture. Whether you’re looking for a quiet town to retire in italy or a lively city to start a new life with your family, Apulia offers a little bit of everything. Because Italy is also becoming a popular destination for remote workers, Apulia could be perfect if you’re searching for an investment property to offer for seasonal rentals.

Good to know

While the Italian name for this part of southern Italy is Puglia, many English speakers call it Apulia.

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Where to buy property in Apulia?

Apulia is increasingly becoming one of Italy’s top destinations for both tourists and expats, with approximately 150,000 foreign residents in 2024. Property prices in the region have been steadily rising, but they remain lower than the national average, making Apulia an excellent investment destination.
As of November 2024, the average property price in Apulia is €1,425 per m² compared to the national average of €2,066 per m², making Apulia a sound investment location.

The table below shows property prices in the 6 key provinces of Apulia:

Province Average property purchase price (€/m²) Key features
Bari 1,744 Apulia’s lively coastal capital, a quaint city with modern shopping, an international school, several Italian schools and 3 universities.
Brindisi 1,664 A peaceful city with a relaxed atmosphere, good transport links (airport, trains and ferry to Greece), average of 8.5 hours of sunshine per day.
Barletta-Andria-Trani 1,471 Popular with tourists due to several miles of sandy coastline, a flat landscape, several historical monuments.
Lecce 1,223 A vibrant culture, known as the ‘Florence of the South’, popular with expats, home to the University of Salento.
Foggia 1,098 Ideal for nature lovers – home to the Gargano Peninsula, Gargano National Park and the Tremiti Islands, a peaceful location offering a slower pace of life, several local festivals are held every year.
Taranto 1,057 Home to the famous Greek archaeological museum, a quiet fishing town, popular for watersports.
Good to know

Apulia has 3 main airports (Bari, Brindisi and Foggiall), making it easily accessible for international travel.

Invest or long-term living in Apulia?

Whether you’re considering moving to Apulia for family life, retirement, or investment purposes, the region offers a range of advantages.

Family living

If you plan to move your family and start a new life, be sure that Apulia offers an excellent quality of life at a lower cost compared to other European regions. A family-friendly environment, combined with a lower property price (such as €2,050/m² in Bari compared to €2,895/m² in the UK’s Bournemouth), makes it an attractive place for raising children.

With a choice of schools and universities and an excellent healthcare ranking (28th out of 196 countries in the World Population Review), Italy offers families an ideal way of life. Additionally, the opportunity for children to learn a foreign language and become bilingual, combined with the outdoor lifestyle and Italy’s child-friendly culture, offers many compelling reasons to consider moving to Apulia.

Retiring

Apulia is one of the cheaper regions in Italy to buy property. With low property prices, retirees can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, perhaps spending days exploring the Adriatic coast or taking a leisurely boat trip to Greece from Brindisi. The peaceful place of life and favorable climate are ideal for anyone looking to retire in Italy.

Investing

With over 5 million tourists visiting the region every year, seasonal rentals are in high demand, making a good return on investing. The region’s gross rental yield is 7.36%, particularly in areas like Brindisi.

When you’re selecting where to buy or make an investment in Apulia, it’s important to consider the future development of the region. For example, the Puglian government confirmed the availability of €30 million in funding to enhance buildings for tourist and recreational use. This kind of investment leads to more tourists and the potential for more rental income.

Good to know

Rental income is subject to 21% tax, and 26% tax if you rent out more than one property in Italy.

If you’re interested in buying property in Apulia or need further guidance on the process, contact our experts. Our iad Overseas consultants are here to help you find your dream home in this stunning part of Italy and with the procedures for buying.

3 key points to remember

  • Apulia/Puglia offers cheaper affordable property prices compared to other Italian regions.
  • The region boasts over 850 km of coastline, offering a lot of opportunities for beach lovers.
  • With property prices rising slowly, now is a good time to invest in Apulia.
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