Italy’s housing market sees 27% of homes empty and listings shrink

ISTAT estimates that Italy has 9.6 million vacant dwellings out of a total of 35 million, representing roughly 27% of the housing stock. The share of empty homes varies across regions, being higher in the South and in Valle d’Aosta, and includes properties that are inherited, under renovation, used as second homes or simply awaiting sale.

A market analysis by eXp Italy shows that the number of homes offered for sale fell by 1.2% year‑on‑year, about 9,500 fewer listings nationwide. The decline was strongest in Trentino‑Alto Adige (‑12.2%) and Valle d’Aosta (‑4.8%). Conversely, Piedmont and Molise recorded a 5.1% increase in available properties, with modest gains in Puglia, Emilia‑Romagna, Sicily and Abruzzo. The reduced supply is tightening competition among buyers in areas where demand remains high.