Caserta Real Estate: Flats, Villas and Houses for Sale

Caserta is best known for the Reggia di Caserta, the vast eighteenth-century Bourbon royal palace and gardens, a UNESCO site close to the centre. The city is a rail junction with fast trains to Naples and Rome, and many residents commute to Naples in around 40 minutes. Naples airport is about 40 kilometres away. The province around it includes the old hill town of Casertavecchia, farmland, the mozzarella di bufala production zone and the Roman amphitheatre at Santa Maria Capua Vetere.

Neighbourhoods near the palace and station command higher prices than the outskirts. Flats are often in 1960s to 1980s condominium blocks, so ask about the building's condition and seismic safety: Campania is an earthquake zone, and seismic retrofitting bonuses have been available in recent years under rules that change frequently.

Besides the purchase price and taxes, count condominium fees, annual IMU on a second home, rubbish tax and utilities. For old apartments, ask whether the heating is centralised, because individual boilers are more flexible but central systems may need costly upgrades. A technician (geometra) can check the cadastral plan against the layout for a modest fee, and it is worth paying one.

Typical buyers include Neapolitan commuters who want more space, families drawn by schools and the military and administrative employers in town, and foreign buyers looking for a base in Campania that costs less than the Amalfi Coast or Capri. Villas and houses in the surrounding countryside often come with olive trees, vineyards or a small plot of land, and attract buyers who want a hobby farm.

The area has a mixed reputation for infrastructure and public services in some districts, so visit the street at different times of day and speak to neighbours before you commit. Property in the historic centre and near the palace is more sought after, but restoration costs and heritage constraints can be significant.

EU citizens can buy freely; non-EU citizens need reciprocity, which a notary will confirm. You will need a codice fiscale, a notary to prepare the deed, and usually a preliminary contract with a deposit of around 10%. Approximate costs (verify locally): registration tax of 2% for a main home or 9% for a second home, based on cadastral value; notary fees; and an agent's commission of about 3% plus VAT from each side.

Note that cadastral value is usually below the market price, which makes taxes lower than a percentage of price would suggest. Read our Italy consultation guide, the financing page and the Italy overview. For cheaper options, see Italian properties under €100k, and compare other regions such as Rome.