In recent years, the map of global wealth has shifted at unprecedented speed. By 2025, international mobility among High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) reached record levels, reshaping economic, real estate, and social landscapes. The Savills HNWI Hotspot Index, analysed alongside the Spotlight on Wealth Trends report, tracks nearly one hundred destinations worldwide across six key pillars: economic environment, competitiveness, quality of life, family services, privacy, and wealth management.
- Global wealth growth favours lifestyle choices
- Italy: a rising star on the global wealth map
- Flat tax incentives and international appeal
- Iconic properties and trophy assets
- Evolving real estate preferences of HNWIs
- Lifestyle as the ultimate asset
- Family, education, and infrastructure
- Safety, privacy, and digital security
Global wealth growth favours lifestyle choices
After the 2022 slowdown, global wealth is surging. In 2024 alone, more than 680,000 new millionaires were recorded, and by 2029, an additional 5 million are expected. Billionaires’ wealth is also outpacing financial markets, having grown 121% over the past decade compared with 73% for the MSCI World Index. This wealth boom is accompanied by a major shift in priorities: fewer divestments, broader diversification, and greater emphasis on quality of life and the personal enjoyment of assets. Luxury properties are increasingly viewed not just as investments, but as “living ecosystems,” combining wellbeing, security, space, and privacy.
Italy: a rising star on the global wealth map
Italy has emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for the super-rich. The country’s appeal lies in its unique combination of exceptional quality of life, rich culture, world-class cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes—the famed “Italian way of life”—enhanced by safety and favourable tax policies for foreign residents willing to make Italy their home.
Rome, Milan, and Tuscany are all firmly placed in the global Top 30 for attractiveness. Rome ranks 19th, Tuscany 22nd, and Milan 23rd, with Milan and Rome also recognised as rising European hotspots, thanks to their thriving prime property markets and growing urban infrastructure.
Flat tax incentives and international appeal
Italy’s flat tax regime—a €200,000 annual tax on foreign income for those relocating their fiscal residence—has been a game-changer, significantly boosting the country’s appeal to foreign buyers. In Costa Smeralda, international clients now account for up to 80% of prime property transactions. Milan, meanwhile, continues to be Italy’s premier urban investment hub, offering a dynamic ecosystem of design, fashion, innovation, and global connectivity.
Iconic properties and trophy assets
Italy remains a top choice for trophy properties. Lake Como and the Amalfi Coast are among the world’s most sought-after destinations for historic residences, prized not only for their intrinsic value but also as symbols of cultural identity.
Evolving real estate preferences of HNWIs
Savills highlights several trends shaping Italy’s luxury property market:
- Larger homes, greater privacy, and nature
Second homes are increasingly used as extended-stay residences, enabled by remote work. Buyers now seek properties two to three times larger than before, with outdoor spaces, full privacy, swimming pools, spas, and integrated wellness facilities. - Turnkey luxury
Move-in-ready homes are the preferred standard, with impeccable construction quality and aesthetics. Tuscany is seeing strong international demand for restored villas, while Milan’s branded prime apartments with concierge services are increasingly coveted. - Generational wealth planning
By 2030, over $18 trillion is expected to transfer from Baby Boomers to Millennials and Gen Z, driving demand for sustainable homes, smart technologies, rapid connectivity, and cities with a strong cultural identity. Italy’s combination of lifestyle, culture, and innovation positions it strongly for this new generation of investors.
Lifestyle as the ultimate asset
Lifestyle now drives investment decisions. While London remains a global lifestyle capital, experiential destinations like Gstaad, Courchevel, and Tuscany are gaining prominence. Tuscany, in particular, ranks among the top 20 global lifestyle destinations, excelling in fine dining—including numerous Michelin-starred restaurants—luxury hotels, wellness, nature, and a globally recognised cultural identity.
Family, education, and infrastructure
For HNWIs, family priorities are crucial. Italy performs strongly in education, with Rome and Milan ranked in the global Top 20 for international schools, with 28 and 23 institutions respectively. This positions both cities among Europe’s leading educational hubs, enhancing their appeal for international families.
Safety, privacy, and digital security
Security is now a top priority, including cyber risk, digital privacy, smart homes, and integrated physical protection. Italy benefits from EU regulations (GDPR) and a safe environment, ranking highly for privacy, especially compared with Asian and American markets.
In short, Italy is no longer just a cultural jewel; it is a rising powerhouse for global wealth, combining lifestyle, luxury, and opportunity like no other destination.
Italy's 10 most expensive neighbourhoods revealed
Buying a home can often mean much more than simply choosing a place to live. In Italy, certain addresses have become true symbols of prestige and sophistication. Often referred to as trophy assets, these residences belong to a niche segment of the market where value is defined not just by square footage, but by status, heritage, and exclusivity.
Branded Residences: from Miami to Milan, global growth and Italy’s rising appeal
The branded residences market – luxury homes created in partnership with global brands, largely from the hospitality sector – is experiencing unprecedented growth. According to the Global Branded Residence Survey 2025, the number of projects has surged from 169 in 2011 to 611 today, with forecasts predicting over 1,000 active schemes by 2030. In terms of housing units, the increase is even more remarkable: from just over 27,000 in 2011 to a projected 162,000 by 2030.
The Edition Lake Como: a new chapter for the iconic former Hotel Britannia
After an ambitious three-year regeneration project, the transformation of the former Hotel Britannia — a historic landmark overlooking the shimmering waters of Lake Como — is now complete. What was once a traditional three-star property has been reborn as The Edition Lake Como, a sophisticated five-star destination that perfectly blends contemporary design with timeless Italian elegance.
A rare opportunity to own Caroline Bonaparte’s 18th-century Lucca estate
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Lucca, in a landscape of rare and breathtaking beauty, stands one of Tuscany’s most remarkable historic estates: an 18th-century villa that once belonged to Caroline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon and Queen of Naples. Perfectly restored and set on approximately 6 hectares of land, this extraordinary property is now available for €20,000,000, combining historical grandeur with modern luxury.
Rare 17th-century villa for sale in the heart of Tuscany
Nestled in the rolling hills just a few kilometres from Lucca, this majestic noble residence dating back to the 1600s offers an exceptional opportunity to own a piece of Tuscan history. Surrounded by 65 hectares of land and framed by sweeping views that reach the towers of Lucca, the property embodies the perfect blend of heritage, privacy and understated luxury.