Property in Italy: From the earthquakes in Abruzzo to the floods in Venice – where is it safe to invest?

The purchase of property in Italy is a dream for many – a century-old villa in Tuscany, an apartment overlooking the Colosseum or a house on the Amalfi Coast. But behind the romantic notion lies a complex reality: Italy is one of the most seismically active and climatically vulnerable countries in Europe. Before investing in La Dolce Vita, it’s critical to understand the risks of earthquakes and floods, which can turn a dream into a costly nightmare.

Seismic Risk: The Invisible Threat Beneath Your Feet

Italy is located where the Eurasian and African tectonic plates meet, making it extremely susceptible to earthquakes. Memories of the devastating earthquakes in L’Aquila (2009) and Amatrice (2016) are still vivid. But the risk is not limited to the central Apennines.

Risk map: according to the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), more than 40% of the country is classified as a high seismic risk zone. This includes large parts of the regions of Abruzzo, Umbria, Campania (including the Naples area) and Sicily. Even northern areas such as Friuli-Venezia Giulia have a history of strong earthquakes.

What does this mean for the buyer?

1. Quality of construction: when buying a property in Italy, especially an older building, it is mandatory to have an expert assessment of its seismic resistance. Since the 1980s building regulations have been considerably stricter, but many of the charming stone houses in historic centres do not meet modern requirements.
2. “Sismabonus”: the Italian government offers generous tax breaks (the so-called “Sismabonus”) for owners who invest in seismic strengthening of their properties. This can be an opportunity, but requires a significant initial investment.
3. Insurance is compulsory: unlike in other countries, in Italy earthquake insurance is not standard and must be added as an expensive extra to the policy. Neglecting it is a huge financial risk.

The water menace: Floods and rising seas

Climate change is exacerbating the other major risk to property in Italy – flooding. Extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent, causing flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous regions such as Liguria and Tuscany.

Venice – the iconic example: the case of Venice is most illustrative. The MOSE project – a system of mobile barriers – already protects the city from extreme tides (“acqua alta”), but the cost of maintaining it is enormous and affects the city’s spending. Sea level rise also threatens other coastal areas, including tourist destinations along the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts.

Investor Tips:

• Check hydrogeological maps: before buying, especially a property near a river or in a low-lying coastal area, it is imperative to consult local hydrogeological risk maps.
• Analyse infrastructure: study the state of drainage systems and flood prevention measures in the municipality.
• Budget for insurance: Like earthquakes, flood coverage is also an additional clause to the insurance policy.

Where is it safe to invest?

Despite the risks, there are regions in Italy that offer a significantly higher degree of security.

• Sardinia: The island is geologically very stable and is considered the safest area in Italy from a seismic point of view.
• Puglia (partly): The “boot current”, especially the Salento area, has a very low seismic risk.
• Piedmont and Lombardy (the plains): Areas away from the Alps, such as the plains around Milan and Turin, are at significantly lower risk than the mountainous and central parts of the country.

Investing in property in Italy can be extremely satisfying, but it requires more than a romantic outlook. It requires a pragmatic assessment of the risks, a thorough inspection of the property and a compulsory budgeting of strengthening and insurance costs. Choosing a safer location and a modern building may not offer the same historic charm, but it ensures peace of mind and security for your investment.