Real Estate in the Face of Climate Change – Where to Find Future-Proof Homes in Italy

Many people still dream of owning a home in Italy, whether as a second home, a retirement home or as a long-term investment. But as well as where it is, how much it costs and what it has, there is one more thing that is becoming increasingly important in deciding if it is comfortable and good value: climate change. It is changing living conditions, infrastructure and market prices, and so the risk profiles of entire regions. Today’s smart investors are not only asking ‘Where is it beautiful?’, but also: How stable is the region’s climate? What will happen to quality of life, supplies and how secure investments are in five, ten and twenty years because of climate change?

Italy has a lot of different types of geography and climate. There are areas where there is more heat, less water, a higher risk of forest fires and flooding. But some areas are stronger because of where they are, what they’re built on, and what they have. This is exactly where there are opportunities for long-term real estate investments that are stable – for people to live in themselves as well as for people to rent out.

How climate change is affecting Italy.

Italy is one of the European countries that is feeling the effects particularly strongly. In the north, it is raining more, and flooding is happening more often. In the south, it is getting hotter for longer and there is not as much rain. Some parts of Italy, like the Po Valley, Tuscany and Apulia, are having very hot or very cold weather. This is making life difficult for people, damaging buildings and crops, and affecting transport. The coast is also under threat from rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Venice’s ‘acqua alta’ is a well-known example of this, but parts of the Ligurian coast, Calabria and Sicily are also at risk.

The Italian environmental institute ISPRA has found that the average temperature has increased by around 1.5 °C over the last 30 years. This is especially important in areas where summers are already dry. When there is a lack of heat, water and poor infrastructure, this can have a negative effect on investments.

The current importance of regions with a stable climate

People rarely buy a property to live in for just five years. It’s about planning for life, having enough money when you retire, being able to use it in different ways, and not losing value. So, climate resilience is now an important factor in planning. Regions that can bounce back from challenges are known as ‘resilient regions’. These regions have mild summers, lower chances of extreme weather, a reliable water supply and stable environmental conditions. They are often still reasonably priced, especially compared to overcrowded coastal places.

This is important for people who own their homes and for investors. People might want to rent out their homes as holiday accommodation, for example, or for people who work from home. Or people might want to live in a shared environment, such as a cohousing or senior living facility. All of these can be better planned in places where the climate is stable. The result: greater security of use, lower weather-related renovation costs, and a better quality of life.

Which regions of Italy are considered climate-stable?

The following selection combines geographical location, microclimates and infrastructural factors. It describes trends – local differences and micro-locations must always be considered:

(H3) Friuli-Venezia Giulia – the underrated north

Friuli is between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. It has a temperate climate, good water supply and diverse landscapes. Places such as Cividale del Friuli, Udine and Gemona have good infrastructure, medical care and transport links – and often have property prices that are lower than in Tuscany or South Tyrol. There are many old townhouses, small villas and simple buildings that could be improved. Be careful in river valleys and on steep slopes: check locally for landslide and flooding risks.

Marche – the green centre with prospects

The Marche region, which is between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, has hilly landscapes, a nice climate and a quiet, agricultural way of life. Cities such as Urbino, Ascoli Piceno and Macerata offer a high quality of life without too many tourists. The properties on offer range from historic townhouses to farms with olive groves to convents with character – and often at reasonable prices. In lowlands and river valleys, it’s best to avoid flood zones and go higher up.

Abruzzo – a natural paradise with an altitude advantage

Abruzzo is full of national parks, wooded hills and mountain villages. Places such as Sulmona, L’Aquila and Castel di Sangro have nice summers, good transport links and relatively low prices. It is close to the Adriatic Sea, but not in a flood zone. When you add in regional renovation subsidies, it creates some great opportunities for investments that last. Think about how well it would suit the winter (for example, whether it is easy to get to, if it has heating and how well it is insulated).

Apennine regions – the backbone of Italy

The Apennines run from north to south, creating many locations between 400 and 800 metres above sea level. These areas have moderately warm summers, stable winters, lots of nature, and a low population density. The prices are also significantly lower than in well-known coastal regions. There are some exciting opportunities, especially for working from home, projects involving different generations, shared housing or self-sufficient farms. Important: Realistically assess things like how steep the slope is, the type of soil, if the road is safe in winter and if there are good network connections.

What makes a property resistant to climate change?

It’s not just the area that matters, but also where you are and how it’s built. If you want to make an investment that will last, look at the following points:

• Altitude: Lands that are between 300 and 900 metres above sea level are better at dealing with hot weather, floods and they often have access to natural spring water.
• Construction: It is well-built with thick exterior walls, shading (such as loggias and roof overhangs), and south/west-facing windows that are small. This means that air circulates naturally in summer.
• Water: Own wells, cisterns or rainwater harvesting can help you deal with dry summers and save money.
• Energy efficiency: Photovoltaics with storage, heat pumps or hybrid solutions, summer heat protection and smart control systems improve the balance sheet and independence.
• Infrastructure: The only things that can be used every day are things like healthcare, shopping, fibre optics, public transport and winter services in the mountains.

Sustainability meets value growth

Properties that are climate-proof protect their residents and keep their value better over time. While some coastal areas are becoming less popular because of erosion or heat stress, areas like low mountains, lakes and the Apennines are becoming more popular. This is also true for tourism. Many people who travel want to find shade, cool temperatures and clean air – they don’t want to be in 40 °C heat on the beach. So, more people are interested in holiday properties away from popular places.

Italy also offers money to help pay for home improvements and to make homes more eco-friendly. For example, there is a ‘Superbonus 110%’ programme to encourage people to make their homes safer in case of earthquakes, and a ‘Sismabonus’ programme. There are also subsidies available for different regions of Italy. Conditions and availability are changing, so it is important to check the current situation on site and plan with experts.

Conclusion: Set the right course now

The Italian property market is changing, but not too quickly. People who buy today are investing in the area, in a house and in the future. There are some places that are always nice to visit. They have a nice climate, they are not too busy, and they are not too expensive. These places are called Friuli, some parts of the Marche, Abruzzo or places in the Apennine mountains. At the same time, they help people to live in a way that doesn’t harm the environment, without making people’s lives less comfortable.