Buy a Villa or Apartment in Como on Lake Como

Como is a compact city at the southern tip of the western arm of the lake. The old town, the Duomo, the lakefront promenade and the Brunate funicular are the main landmarks; Villa Olmo and the lido are on the western side. Trains reach Milan in under an hour and Switzerland is a few minutes north, so some residents work across the border.

Buyers include Milan professionals wanting a weekend base, international buyers drawn to the lake, and Swiss-based commuters. Lakefront views and private mooring or garden command a big premium; inland and hillside homes are cheaper.

EU citizens buy freely; non-EU nationals can generally buy subject to reciprocity, which a notary can confirm. A notary (notaio) handles the deed; registration tax is typically 2% of the cadastral value for a primary residence and 9% for a second home, and VAT applies to new builds (approx., verify locally). Annual IMU tax is due on second homes, not on a main residence.

Before you sign, check planning compliance (conformità urbanistica), energy certificates and any shared-building rules. See our Italy buying guide and mortgage guide, plus the Italy property page.

Alternatives in Lombardy include Varese, Milan, Bergamo, Pavia and Novara, or the Alpine foothills near Biella.