Buying property in Sardinia, with your eyes open.

The Sardinia-specific risks

• Coastal-building law: strict landscape protection (including limits near the shore) that restricts new build and extension.
• Water scarcity: supply, wells and storage are a real constraint, especially inland and in summer.
• Seasonality: many areas are busy for ten weeks and near-dead the rest of the year, which affects services and resale.
• Access: ferries and seasonal flight routes that shape how usable a remote property really is.
• A split market: Costa Smeralda prices bear little relation to the rest of the island.

Costa Smeralda, or the real Sardinia?

The branded coast is a world of its own; the Ogliastra, the south-west and the interior offer authentic value. We tell you honestly what each costs you in price, access and winter life.

Living in Sardinia, not just visiting

Before it is a property decision, a move is a decision about daily life. These are the questions we help you answer about Sardinia honestly and year-round, not just how it looks in summer:

• Off-season: mild but very quiet, and the Costa Smeralda in particular all but closes down, with reduced flights and ferries.
• Access: Cagliari, Olbia and Alghero airports serve the island; long-haul to the US routes via a mainland hub.
• Driving: a car is essential and distances are large, with slow interior roads.
• Services: Cagliari and Sassari have the main hospitals and services; rural and resort areas are thinner off-season.
• Full-time vs second home: Cagliari and Alghero suit year-round life; the northern resort coast is largely seasonal.

Still deciding where to live? A free Scalini assessment takes you by the hand: a step-by-step, custom Italy Move Plan and a shortlist of the places that truly fit, so you settle in the right spot before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners buy property in Sardinia?

Yes. There is no general restriction on US or UK buyers in Sardinia.

Are there restrictions on building near the Sardinian coast?

Yes. Sardinia's regional landscape plan imposes strong limits on building within a coastal strip, and protected areas restrict what can be built or changed. A sea-view plot is not automatically a buildable or extendable one, so verify what the constraints actually permit.

Do rural and coastal properties have reliable utilities?

Not always. Outside towns, mains water, legal drainage and a registered access road cannot be assumed, and some areas depend on wells or seasonal supply. Confirm utilities and access in writing before committing.

Is Sardinia mainly a seasonal market?

Much of the coast is seasonal, which affects services, rental demand and how easily you can resell. Distance from the main airports (Cagliari, Olbia, Alghero) is worth weighing if you plan to visit often or let the property.

Found a property? Let's check it before you commit.

Share the listing and we'll tell you which level of check fits, from a 390 euro Property Check upward.