Italy's property stock tops 79.5 million units, new data show

The 2025 cadastral statistics released by the Agenzia delle Entrate indicate that Italy’s total property stock reached 79.5 million units, a 0.7 % rise over the previous year. Residential properties (group A) account for 53.2 % of the stock, with 35.8 million homes averaging 5.5 rooms and 118 m². About 89 % of all properties are owned by private individuals, while legal entities hold roughly 11 %.

In the first quarter of 2026, building permits for new homes fell sharply, with a 9.2 % drop in the number of authorised dwellings and a 5.5 % decline in usable residential floor area. By contrast, permits for non‑residential construction rose 2.6 % quarter‑on‑quarter (12.5 % year‑on‑year), driven by offices, warehouses and retail spaces.

Market analysis shows a shift toward fewer but larger residential units. The average size of newly authorised homes increased, reflecting buyer preference for more spacious, flexible living spaces. First‑home purchases continue to dominate transactions, representing about three‑quarters of sales, while new‑home sales grew 14.6 % year‑on‑year. Mortgage lending remains supportive: new mortgages rose 6.6 % and overall credit to the sector increased 8.1 %, with the mortgage default rate falling to 0.45 %.

Overall, the Italian real‑estate sector is experiencing modest growth, a rebalancing toward larger homes, and expanding activity in the non‑residential segment despite a temporary slowdown in new residential permits.