Bologna Property Market and Real Estate Guide

(Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy)

The University of Bologna proves to be the saving grace for city living costs. This gorgeous Italian city, steeped in tradition and style, is one of the most expensive cities in the country, but the constant turnover of Italian and foreign-exchange university students ensures a market for good-value accommodation.

Naturally, anyone looking to rent or buy on or near the Piazza Maggiore will need to be carrying a very full wallet. The same applies to properties around the Piazza del Nettuno. This being said, Bologna is not really on the Italian summer tourist path, so prices remain constant year round, rather than peaking astronomically during the summer months.


The drawback to this is that property prices in Bologna tend to stay fairly constant in the long term also, which is not particularly good news for investors. Also, while the city remains a major university town - and has been now for nine centuries - the Bologna property market will always be a peg or two below other major Italian cities like Milan, Venice and Rome.

Renting Serviced Apartments

Students come through Bologna at an alarming pace and following them are all number of visiting scholars, specialists and academics. Few residential buildings in Bologna do not offer at least one of their rooms as a serviced apartment, even if it is simply a spare room in a family home.

Prices are exceptional value since the market demand - university students - is not usually excessively well-heeled. In general, a serviced apartment in Bologna will cost about half of similar accommodation in Rome or Milan. A one-week stay is the general minimum and a one-week deposit is usually payable in advance. Since many serviced apartments are private rentals, terms are easily negotiable.

Buying Apartments and Houses

One problem buyers regularly encounter in Bologna is issues with structure and state-of-repair. Bologna's quaint old-world charm is key to its appeal, but not a lot of refurbishing or investment gets done in a city that is not particularly known as a pumping centre of business and trade.

While non-EU nationals can purchase property or take out leases with relative ease anywhere in Italy, in Bologna care needs to be taken to ensure that potential buys are examined with a fine tooth comb. Plumbing is a particular concern and it is not unusual for structural flaws to require substantial renovations in the long term.

Real Estate Agents

Bologna is a cosmopolitan city with a mixed population of people from all over the world. It is easy to find an English-speaking real estate agent. Invariably, visiting scholars will have accommodation arranged in advance by their home institution. Also, many rentals and even plenty of permanent sales are arranged privately.

Check out the following Bologna real estate agents:

Petit Maison Agenzia Immobiliare
Address: Via del Tornitore 9 / 2, Zona Industriale Roveri, Bologna, 40138, Italy
Tel: +39 (0)34 7683 5340
Email: info@petitimaison.it
Website: www.petitmaison.it
Friendly and bilingual realtor that deals with university student accommodation, as well as more upscale transactions.

Keeper Immobiliare
Address: Via Galleria 159, Argelato, 40050, Italy
Tel: +39 (0)51 865 9738
Email: info@keeper.it
Website: www.keeper.it
Boutique realtor has two agents, tending to the more upscale end of town with intimate, knowledgeable service.

Tiessecasa Srl
Address: Via Bondanello 14 / 6, Castel Maggiore, 40013, Italy
Tel: +39 (0)51 710 441
Email: info@tiessecasa.com
Website: www.tiessecasa.com
This Bologna agency sells off-the-plan, new apartments outside of the city centre itself.