Tuscany: The Crown Jewel of Italian Luxury Real Estate Shines for Global Investors

By Columbus International,5 May 20255 May 2025

Columbus International, a real estate boutique with offices in New York, Miami, Milan, and Florence, serves as the ideal bridge between foreign investors and Tuscany’s prestigious real estate market.

The following statistics exclusively from Columbus International: Between April 5 and May 4, 2025, 7,000 potential buyers from New York contacted the agency for Tuscan properties, particularly interested in the prestigious Villa Covoni and a historic home in Settignano.

In the global luxury real estate landscape, Tuscany emerges as an unparalleled destination, commanding an impressive 20% of international searches according to LuxuryEstate.com. This leadership transcends mere statistics—it reflects a region that continues to captivate investors with its unique fusion of history, culture, and natural splendor that few locations worldwide can match.

The Tuscan supremacy is far from accidental. “Tuscany represents the quintessence of Italian excellence,” explains Paolo Giabardo, CEO of LuxuryEstate.com. “Florence offers an invaluable cultural heritage with its Renaissance masterpieces and architectural treasures, while the Versilia coastline combines sophisticated elegance with breathtaking landscapes, creating an investment opportunity that transcends monetary value and touches the soul.”

This phenomenon extends beyond the traditional allure of Tuscan vineyards and cypress-lined hills. The region has successfully evolved into a sophisticated investment ecosystem where historic palazzos stand alongside modern luxury villas, offering investors an extraordinary range of options. From restored medieval castles to contemporary waterfront properties, Tuscany provides a diverse portfolio that caters to the most discerning international clientele.

The competition for investor attention is fierce. Behind Tuscany, Lombardy and Lazio capture 17% and 11.5% of international preferences respectively. Milan and Rome, the economic powerhouses of these regions, attract investors who view luxury real estate not merely as a residence but as a strategic asset in an increasingly complex global portfolio. The appeal of these cities lies not only in their commercial significance but also in their ability to offer both lifestyle and financial returns.

Sardinia, securing 8.5% of preferences, completes the quartet of most coveted destinations. Its pristine beaches and exclusive developments have transformed the island into a luxury haven that rivals the French Riviera or the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Liguria and Sicilia maintain their strong appeal for second-home buyers (7.1% and 6.5% respectively), offering coastal properties that blend Mediterranean charm with modern amenities.

The geography of investors reveals fascinating patterns that speak to Italy’s enduring global appeal. Germany dominates the market in eight of the ten principal regions, reaching remarkable peaks in Trentino-Alto Adige (exceeding 50%) while maintaining a substantial presence in Tuscany (23%). This German preference reflects a long-standing cultural affinity and appreciation for Italian artistry and lifestyle.

Interestingly, France assumes a predominant role only in Lazio and Piedmont (14% each), suggesting a more focused investment strategy from French buyers. Poland emerges as an unexpected third player in searches for Sardinia and Sicily, indicating the growing wealth and international investment appetite of Eastern European high-net-worth individuals.

The metropolitan dynamics reveal unique characteristics: In Florence, Germany commands with 24.4%, nearly doubling France’s 12.4%. This disparity reflects Florence’s particular resonance with German culture and its historical connections. In Rome and Milan, however, Franco-German interest demonstrates more equilibrium, with slight margins favoring France (14.7% vs 14.2% in Rome, 11.2% vs 10.2% in Milan).

What makes Tuscany particularly compelling in today’s investment climate is its resilience and growth potential. Unlike many luxury markets that face saturation, Tuscany continues to offer opportunities for value appreciation while maintaining its exclusive character. The region’s strict preservation laws ensure that its historic and natural beauty remains protected, creating a scarcity value that discerning investors recognize.

The current market dynamics suggest that Tuscany’s position at the apex of Italian luxury real estate will only strengthen in the coming years. As global wealth continues to seek stable, tangible assets combined with lifestyle enhancement, Tuscany’s unique proposition—where centuries of art, culture, and natural beauty converge with modern luxury—positions it as an investment sanctuary that few regions can rival.

The message is clear: Tuscany is not merely a real estate destination; it represents an investment in la dolce vita itself, where history and modernity dance in perfect harmony, creating value that transcends traditional metrics and speaks to the aspirations of the world’s most sophisticated investors.

Source: Forbes Italy

First Home Tax Benefits: The Notary Council’s New Guide to Navigating Purchase Incentives

By Columbus International,28 April 2025

A strategic collaboration to clarify fiscal opportunities in real estate purchases

Source: Idealista.it

In an ever-evolving real estate market, purchasing a first home still represents a fundamental pillar in the economy of Italian families. Recognizing the importance of this crucial step, the National Council of Notaries, in partnership with 14 Consumer Associations, has developed a practical and accessible tool to guide citizens through the complex landscape of tax benefits.

A strategic handbook in question-answer format

The nineteenth guide produced by this collaboration, titled “First Home Tax Benefits – Instructions for Use,” stands out for its pragmatic approach. Structured through a question and answer format, accompanied by summary tables, the publication offers immediate clarification on key questions: who can access the benefits, which properties qualify, and how to avoid forfeiting tax advantages.

“This guide stems from the concrete experience of notaries and consumers, which is why it differs from other products on the same topic,” explains Alessandra Mascellaro, national councilor of the Notariat responsible for relations with Consumer Associations. “It’s particularly effective because, in the maze of regulations that have succeeded one another over time, it circumscribes individual topics with the question and answer scheme.”

An investment that maintains its social value

Despite the transforming economic landscape, purchasing a first home continues to represent a significant milestone. According to Giulio Biino, president of the National Council of Notaries, “In a changing world, purchasing a first home continues to be an achievement.” The guide positions itself as an essential support precisely in this preliminary phase, when “one forgets that the price is not everything” and that tax implications “can affect the final price significantly depending on the possible benefits available.”

The document, defined by Biino as “a sort of first aid,” is not intended to replace professional consultation but to provide an initial orientation accessible to everyone.

Numbers confirm the importance of property ownership

According to the Federproprietà-Censis report, 83.2% of Italians view home ownership as a factor of security and stability. 78.4% consider it an expression of their identity, while for 69.1% it remains an always secure investment. Half of the owners, moreover, declare their intention to pass the property on to their children or grandchildren.

Notarial Statistical Data reveals that in 2023 almost 50% of purchases concerned first homes, with a prevalence in the 18-35 age group (26% of transactions, down from 28% in 2022). The use of tax credits also showed a decline: the 36-45 age bracket dropped from 35% in 2021 to 31% in 2023.

What are first home benefits

Benefits vary depending on the seller: if the purchase is from a construction company, VAT drops from 10% to 4% of the price, with fixed cadastral and mortgage taxes of 200 euros each. If the seller is a private individual, the registration tax is reduced from 9% to 2% of the cadastral value, with cadastral and mortgage taxes of 50 euros each. These benefits also extend to appurtenances (garages, cellars, parking spaces), even if purchased separately.

Requirements needed to benefit from the incentives

To access the benefits, the property must belong to “non-luxury” cadastral categories (excluding A/1, A/8, A/9), while categories A/2, A/3, A/4, A/5, A/6, A/7 are eligible, as well as C/2, C/6, and C/7 for appurtenances (limited to one per category).

As for the buyer, they must be a private individual with residence (or commitment to transfer it within 18 months) in the municipality of the property. They must not own other properties in the same municipality, nor properties purchased with the same benefits anywhere in the country.

Important: selling or donating the property within five years of purchase results in forfeiture of benefits, with the obligation to pay the tax difference (7% for registration tax, 6% for VAT), a 30% penalty, and default interest, unless another first home is purchased within one year of the alienation. The same happens in case of failure to transfer residence within the expected timeframe.

The complete guide is freely available for consultation and download on the websites of the Notariat and Consumer Associations.

La coppia di Hollywood Tim Burton e Monica Bellucci acquista una tenuta in Toscana nel momento di boom immobiliare

By Columbus International,27 March 202527 March 2025

ITALIAN VERSION

Questo articolo appare nella sezione Newsroom di Columbus International dedicata alle tendenze del mercato immobiliare. Columbus International è una boutique immobiliare specializzata nel connettere clienti esigenti dagli Stati Uniti con proprietà eccezionali in tutta la Toscana. Sebbene Columbus International serva una clientela diversificata – dalle celebrità ai privati in cerca dell’autentica esperienza toscana – l’azienda non è stata coinvolta nella transazione descritta di seguito e non ha fornito dettagli specifici sulle parti menzionate. Columbus International rispetta la privacy di tutti i clienti e partecipanti al mercato, offrendo allo stesso tempo una competenza impareggiabile nella navigazione delle complessità degli investimenti immobiliari di lusso transfrontalieri.

Gli investitori stranieri continuano a guidare il mercato immobiliare premium italiano

Con uno slancio che esemplifica il fascino internazionale duraturo del mercato immobiliare toscano, l’acclamato regista Tim Burton e l’attrice italiana Monica Bellucci avrebbero finalizzato l’acquisto di una prestigiosa proprietà a Palazzone, un pittoresco borgo all’interno di San Casciano dei Bagni. Fonti del settore confermano che la transazione è stata completata, aggiungendo la coppia di celebrità al crescente elenco di personaggi internazionali che stabiliscono radici nella regione.

L’acquisizione non sorprende gli analisti del settore immobiliare di lusso, poiché la Toscana continua a dominare il mercato immobiliare di fascia alta in Italia. Secondo dati recenti di LuxuryEstate.com, la regione cattura circa il 20% di tutte le ricerche internazionali di proprietà di lusso in Italia, superando sostanzialmente la Lombardia (17%) e il Lazio (11,5%).

“La Toscana è in testa perché combina il richiamo culturale di Firenze con le bellezze paesaggistiche e marittime della Versilia”, spiega Paolo Giabardo, CEO di LuxuryEstate.com. Gli acquirenti tedeschi mostrano un particolare interesse per le proprietà toscane, rappresentando il 23% delle ricerche di case di lusso nella regione, con gli investitori francesi che seguono come secondo segmento di mercato più grande.

La proprietà di Burton e Bellucci, precedentemente appartenuta a una famiglia straniera che l’aveva utilizzata come rifugio privato per molti anni, si unisce a un portafoglio di residenze d’élite in un’area sempre più favorita dalle luminarie dell’industria dell’intrattenimento. La città termale di San Casciano dei Bagni ha attirato numerosi residenti di alto profilo nel corso dei decenni, tra cui l’artista concettuale Joseph Kosuth, arrivato negli anni ’70, e l’attore-regista Sergio Castellitto con sua moglie, la scrittrice Margaret Mazzantini.

La coppia è stata avvistata la scorsa estate durante una visita discreta nella zona, alimentando speculazioni sulle loro intenzioni immobiliari. La loro recente apparizione presso una galleria nelle vicinanze di Cetona ha ulteriormente confermato le voci sul loro investimento nella regione.

Altri importanti investitori nell’area includono l’attrice Sabrina Ferilli e suo marito, il dirigente Flavio Cattaneo; Duncan Niederauer, ex capo della Borsa di New York e attuale proprietario del club calcistico Venezia; e l’imprenditore Giovanni Bulgari della prestigiosa famiglia di gioiellieri, che ha fondato la vincente cantina ‘Podernuovo a Palazzone’ con suo padre.

Per Burton, che ha recentemente rilasciato il seguito “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” del suo film cult del 1989, e la Bellucci, nativa della vicina Città di Castello che mantiene forti legami con il suo patrimonio italiano nonostante risieda principalmente a Parigi, la proprietà toscana rappresenta non solo un investimento significativo ma anche un’ancora emotiva. La relazione della coppia è iniziata al Festival del Cinema di Lione nell’autunno 2022, dove la Bellucci ha consegnato a Burton il premio Lumière alla carriera.

L’acquisizione si allinea con le più ampie tendenze di investimento nel mercato immobiliare di lusso italiano, dove gli investitori tedeschi guidano gli acquirenti internazionali, seguiti da acquirenti francesi e americani. Mentre Milano e Roma rimangono mercati forti per le proprietà di lusso urbane, la pandemia ha accelerato la domanda di tenute isolate in campagna con servizi premium, particolarmente in regioni che combinano bellezza naturale con significato culturale.

Con valori immobiliari di lusso nelle principali località toscane che si apprezzano costantemente del 3-5% annuo e offrono sia benefici di stile di vita che sicurezza di investimento, l’acquisto di Burton e Bellucci rappresenta un’aggiunta sagace al loro portafoglio, garantendo al contempo privacy in una delle regioni più ambite d’Italia.

Fonti: La Nazione | Firenze Today

Hollywood Power Couple Tim Burton and Monica Bellucci Acquire Tuscan Estate Amid Luxury Real Estate Boom

ENGLISH VERSION

This article is presented in partnership with Columbus International, a boutique real estate firm specializing in connecting discerning clients from the United States with exceptional properties throughout Tuscany. While Columbus International facilitates transactions for a diverse clientele—from celebrities to private individuals seeking the authentic Tuscan experience—the firm was not involved in the transaction described below and has not provided specific details about the parties mentioned. Columbus International respects the privacy of all clients and market participants while offering unparalleled expertise in navigating the complexities of cross-border luxury real estate investments.

Foreign Investors Continue to Drive Premium Italian Property Market

In a move that exemplifies the enduring international appeal of Tuscan real estate, acclaimed director Tim Burton and Italian actress Monica Bellucci have reportedly finalized the purchase of a prestigious property in Palazzone, a picturesque hamlet within San Casciano dei Bagni. Industry sources confirm the transaction has been completed, adding the A-list couple to the growing roster of international celebrities establishing roots in the region.

The acquisition comes as little surprise to luxury real estate analysts, as Tuscany continues to dominate Italy’s high-end property market. According to recent data from LuxuryEstate.com, the region captures approximately 20% of all international luxury property searches in Italy, substantially outpacing Lombardy (17%) and Lazio (11.5%).

“Tuscany leads because it combines Florence’s cultural appeal with the scenic and coastal beauty of Versilia,” explains Paolo Giabardo, CEO of LuxuryEstate.com. German buyers show particular interest in Tuscan properties, accounting for 23% of luxury home searches in the region, with French investors following as the second largest market segment.

Burton and Bellucci’s property, previously owned by a foreign family who had used it as a private retreat for many years, joins a portfolio of elite residences in an area increasingly favored by entertainment industry luminaries. The thermal spa town of San Casciano dei Bagni has attracted numerous high-profile residents over the decades, including conceptual artist Joseph Kosuth, who arrived in the 1970s, and actor-director Sergio Castellitto with his wife, writer Margaret Mazzantini.

The couple was spotted last summer making a discreet visit to the area, fueling speculation about their real estate intentions. Their recent appearance at a nearby gallery in Cetona further substantiated rumors of their investment in the region.

Additional notable investors in the area include actress Sabrina Ferilli and her husband, executive Flavio Cattaneo; Duncan Niederauer, former NYSE head and current owner of the Venezia football club; and entrepreneur Giovanni Bulgari of the prestigious jewelry family, who established the successful ‘Podernuovo a Palazzone’ winery with his father.

For Burton, who recently released the sequel “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” to his 1989 cult classic, and Bellucci, a native of nearby Città di Castello who maintains strong connections to her Italian heritage despite residing primarily in Paris, the Tuscan property represents not only a significant investment but also an emotional anchor. The couple’s relationship began at the Lyon Film Festival in autumn 2022, where Bellucci presented Burton with the Lumière career award.

The acquisition aligns with broader investment trends in Italian luxury real estate, where German investors lead international buyers, followed by French and American purchasers. While Milan and Rome remain strong markets for urban luxury properties, the pandemic has accelerated demand for secluded countryside estates with premium amenities, particularly in regions combining natural beauty with cultural significance.

With luxury property values in prime Tuscan locations appreciating consistently at 3-5% annually and offering both lifestyle benefits and investment security, Burton and Bellucci’s purchase represents a savvy addition to their portfolio while affording them privacy in one of Italy’s most coveted regions.

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