Naples Real Estate: Apartments in Italy's Southern Capital

Chiaia, the elegant district by the seafront and the Villa Comunale park, is the traditional prime area. Vomero, on a hill served by funiculars and the metro, is a leafy, middle-class district with views of the bay. Posillipo has villas and sea views on the western headland, and the historic centre (Centro Storico) around Spaccanapoli is a UNESCO site with dense, atmospheric streets and a vivid street life. Areas like Fuorigrotta and Bagnoli are mid-priced, and the eastern periphery is cheaper.

The metro includes the Art Stations on Line 1, the airport at Capodichino is close to the city, and the high-speed train reaches Rome in about an hour and ten minutes. Buyers include Neapolitans, Italians from elsewhere, investors in short-term lets and foreign second-home buyers. Naples sits near Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei volcanic area, which has seen increased seismic activity; ask about building structure and insurance.

Foreigners can generally buy in Italy under reciprocity rules. Obtain a codice fiscale, make an offer, sign a preliminary contract with a deposit (often 10%), and complete before a notary.

• Resale: registration tax 2% (main home) or 9% (second home) on cadastral value, plus fixed taxes.
• New build from a developer: VAT 4% or 10%, plus fixed taxes.
• Notary around 1-2.5%; agent about 3% plus VAT per side.

In Naples, check cadastral conformity, building permits for alterations, condominium debts and any common-area works. Use a bilingual lawyer or geometra. See the Italy buying guide and mortgage page.

Many Naples buildings are old, with shared courtyards and large apartments on the piano nobile. Ask about the lift (many older blocks lack one), the state of the facade and roof, and any approved or pending works that the condominium will bill to owners. Check that the apartment's floor plan matches the cadastral drawing, since unrecorded alterations are common and can delay the notarial deed.

Parking is scarce, and traffic restrictions apply in the historic centre. For investors, tourism is a strong driver but regulation is tightening. Use our valuation tool to benchmark and the contact page to ask us for a bilingual lawyer or surveyor introduction.

Compare Naples with Rome, the southern cities Cosenza and Campobasso, the Umbrian Perugia, the island Sassari and the Alpine Aosta. The Italy page lists all markets.