Italy mortgage applications fall 5.9% in first half of 2026

Data from the CRIF mortgage barometer show that requests for new home loans in Italy dropped 5.9% in the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, indicating greater caution among households despite generally favourable financing terms. The average loan amount remained steady at about €154,000, with more than 60% of applications seeking credit between €100,000 and €300,000.

At the same time, banks are offering a range of smaller‑loan products for buyers who need only modest financing. Some lenders such as BPER, Banca Sella, Crédit Agricole Italia, Banco BPM and BNL/BNP Paribas have no fixed minimum threshold, while others – Unicredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, MPS, Credem and Fineco – typically require a minimum of €30,000‑€50,000. Consumers are advised to compare traditional mortgages, personal loans and salary‑deduction (cessione del quinto) schemes to find the most sustainable repayment plan amid high interest rates and housing‑affordability pressures.