Desenzano del Garda: Lake Garda Apartments and Villas

Desenzano sits at the south-western corner of Lake Garda, in Lombardy, with a harbour, a castle above the old town, restaurants and a railway station on the Milan-Venice line. Sirmione and Peschiera are close. Brescia and Verona are the nearest big cities, around 30 and 40 km away. Bergamo is further west, and Parma, Vicenza and Trento are separate regional markets.

Buyers include Germans, Italians from Milan, and international holiday-home owners. Seasonal rental demand is strong.

Foreign buyers can purchase subject to reciprocity, which is satisfied for most nationalities. You need an Italian tax code (codice fiscale), and a notary completes the deed. Registration tax is 2% on a primary home and 9% on a second home, based on the cadastral value, with agent fees of around 3% plus VAT. Offers are often made as a proposta d'acquisto, followed by a preliminary contract (compromesso).

Check planning compliance (conformità urbanistica). Our Italy buying guide, financing page and the Italy overview explain more.