As the leading property portal for international buyers looking to make Italy their home, Gate-away.com has once again taken the pulse of the global market. In early 2025, we surveyed our community of nearly 70,000 newsletter subscribers—people from across the world actively seeking to purchase property in Italy.
The findings offer a clear and compelling snapshot of today’s overseas property seekers: who they are, what motivates them, and how their priorities have evolved compared to previous years.
Here’s what we discovered.
Who’s buying: older, educated, and financially ready
Age & Demographics
Italy continues to attract a more mature audience. Buyers aged 56–65 make up 43% of respondents, followed closely by those 66 and older at nearly 38%. This mirrors the 2023 survey, highlighting Italy’s continued appeal as a retirement haven.
Gender
The majority are male (63%), although women (36%) remain a significant segment. Most respondents are either married or in a relationship (78%), and a striking 69% live without children, aligning with the trend toward relocating during retirement.
Education & work status
Buyers in Italy are highly educated—more than 40% hold a university degree or higher, and 43% are already retired. Another 31% are still employed, and 24% are self-employed, indicating a mix of those ready to relocate now and others planning their move over the next few years.
What they want: Lifestyle, beauty, and simplicity
Primary motivations:
When asked what draws them to Italy, a massive 70.5% cite the quality of life, with art, culture, traditions (50%), and nature and climate (49%) following closely. Here people could choose more than just a single answer. The romantic notion of Italian life remains a major pull factor—an emotional driver that far outweighs pure financial or business motives.
Why they’re moving:
While 46% are buying for retirement, a significant 31% want a lifestyle change, and 16% seek a holiday home. Interestingly, only 6% are motivated purely by investment—proof that for most, Italy is a dream, not a deal.
How much and how soon
Budgets
The typical buyer plans to spend €101,000–€250,000 (34%), while about 23% are looking for options under €100,000. Around 18% are prepared to go higher, between €251,000–€500,000, reflecting a desire for rural or small-town properties over big-city purchases.
Timeline to buy
Nearly 37.5% plan to buy within just 6–12 months the next two years, and another 37% hoping to purchase in 2 years. Italy’s allure remains strong, and buyers are actively preparing to make their move.
Where and how they’re searching
Tools of the trade
Buyers are overwhelmingly turning to the internet (89%) and property portals like Gate-away.com (49%). Only 19% rely directly on traditional estate agencies, while word of mouth (12%) and magazines (5%) trail behind. Also in this case people could choose more than just a single answer.
Duration of stay
A growing segment—23%—plan to relocate permanently, while 34.5% expect to split their year evenly between Italy and their home country. This echoes the 2023 trend of “part-time expats” seeking the best of both worlds.
Barriers and influences
Top concerns
While many are eager to move to Italy, a few concerns hold some buyers back. Chief among them are excessive bureaucracy (43%), high taxes (37%), and Italy’s economic stability (12%). These concerns remain consistent with previous years, although geopolitical issues such as terrorism and European fiscal policy are becoming more pressing (41% said world events could impact their decision).
Alternatives to Italy:
Although 53% are focused solely on Italy, others are also eyeing Spain (22%), Portugal (18%), and France (15%). These countries offer similar climates and cultures—but for most, Italy still holds the greatest allure. Here people could choose more than just a single answer.
What’s changing compared to 2023?
Compared to Gate-away.com’s 2023 survey, motivations and demographics remain largely consistent—but there’s a noticeable increase in urgency and flexibility. A higher percentage is open to splitting their time or buying on a more flexible budget.
Additionally, geopolitical awareness is up—especially concerns about terrorism, local elections, and global political shifts. In 2023, lifestyle and emotional appeal were already dominant, but in 2025, there’s a stronger sense of purpose: a search for stability, beauty, and peace of mind.
Gate-away.com’s 2025 survey confirms what we’ve long suspected—Italy is not just a place to live; it’s a lifestyle choice driven by heart, culture, and a longing for something more meaningful. Whether for retirement, reinvention, or seasonal escape, international buyers continue to dream of la dolce vita—and they’re more ready than ever to make it a reality.
