Foreign Demand Shifts Towards Sardinia
Italy’s real estate market is benefiting from strong international demand, with foreign buyers spending €5.5 billion in 2025, the highest level in a decade and 10% above 2024.
Increasingly, that demand is moving beyond Italy’s traditional tourist centres towards villages, rural areas and less-crowded coastlines. Sardinia is one of the clearest beneficiaries of this shift.
Foreign interest is strongest around Olbia, Alghero and Gallura, which account for nearly 7 in 10 international enquiries on the island. Cagliari is also seeing steady growth.
Market fundamentals remain supportive, with transactions up 7.4% in the first half of 2026. Most properties are selling within six months, while limited supply is becoming a bigger constraint than weak demand.
Buyers Prioritise Authenticity and Lifestyle
International buyers are showing particular interest in country houses with land, especially the traditional Gallura-style stazzo.
The strongest-performing properties typically offer privacy, proximity to the coast, access to Olbia or Alghero airports, and traditional architecture combined with nearby local communities.
This combination is creating a clear premium. In 2025, three out of four homes sold by internationally focused agencies went to foreign buyers, with some paying up to 20% above local market prices for properties matching these preferences.
Germany currently represents the largest share of completed purchases, followed by the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Asian demand remains largely untapped.
Outlook
Sardinia is well positioned as an emerging international property destination, combining an established global reputation with growing transaction activity and relatively limited Asian participation.
For the Juwai IQI network, this creates an early positioning opportunity before Sardinia becomes more widely recognised among Asian buyers.
The strongest prospects are likely to remain in authentic, well-connected lifestyle properties offering privacy, coastal access and long-term residential appeal.
The contents of this article were contributed by Giulia Mattana, Head of IQI Sardinia Italy.
