Campione d'Italia is a city in Italy, located 50 km north of Milan. However, Campione is surrounded by the territory of Switzerland because in fact it is an Italian enclave and has no direct connection with the "main" Italy.
Campione is located on Lake Lugano, on the opposite side from eponymous Swiss city. To reach Lugano on foot or by car, going around the lake is not necessary, because in the narrow part of the lake there is a mound and a road and rail bridge. Car trip takes just 5-10 and a walk will take one hour. The distance from Campione to the border with the "main" Italy is approximately the same.
Area of Campione d'Italia commune is only 160 hectares. It is a narrow strip along the shore of Lugano, with a length of 2.5 km and a width of 600 m, and this is where Campione is different from other enclaves. Because wherever you look in any direction - is Switzerland. It is not surprising that cars have Swiss plates, phone numbers begin with the Swiss code "41" and not Italian "39", and the prices for real estate in Campione are quite Swiss.
To understand what is there Italian in Campione and what is Swiss, portal ee24.ru has interviewed Oksana Solomennik, the head of Tianello SAGL company. She has told why Campione attracts wealthy foreigners, how much is real estate in this city and how its inhabitants always manage to buy goods at discount prices.
Campione-d'Italia and lake Lugano

The thriftiest in Italy

- Oksana, tell us what is Campione? How do Italy and Switzerland “get on”?
- We position ourselves as Switzerland, because the city is located actually in Switzerland. However, from a political point of view it is an Italian enclave. But if Switzerland is still a closed country, and getting there is difficult, getting to Campione is much easier. The living standard and degree of safety are those of Switzerland.
- What are the advantages of the region?
- Campione residents are not subject to Italian VAT of 21%. For example, you bought an apartment and want to redecorate it - buy kitchen, tiles, and bathroom fixtures. You buy everything on the "main" territory of Italy; the price already includes Italian VAT and when back in Campione, Italy returns a portion of the cost to you, because we are subject to Swiss 8% tax. It means we benefit and pay less.
People ride from Italy in the morning and back to Italy in the evening. Even with a permission to work in Switzerland, the Italians have no right to be here 365 days a year. But the residents, on the contrary, should permanently live in the region.

A rich person’s visa is the first step to residence permit in Italy

- Is it possible to obtain residence permit in Campione?
- The Russians, in particular from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, buy real estate in Campione and obtain the "rich person’s visa" It is issued the Italian Embassy, and the documents are prepared in the Italian province of Como.
On the basis of such visa people come and get a residence permit in Italy for a year, then two, then another two, and then for five years. Then they get residence, in our understanding - registration. Then they change their license to Swiss one; register the car in Switzerland.
- How rich should a person be to obtain the” rich person’s visa”?
- There are different types of visas: tourist visa, business visa, work visa and finally rich person’s visa. Applicants for such visa must earn at least €30-50 thousand per year. They prove the solvency to Consul: show movable and immovable property, the turnover of money, account statements. On this basis, the Consul shall decide on the visa issuance.

Italian land with Swiss prices

- Oksana, tell us about price ranging.
- There is no strict gradation. Prices depend on the seller. On average, they range from €5 thousand to €10 thousand per square meter and above. It depends on whether it is the first line of the house on the lake or a house on the mountain with a good view, whether it is sold with or without repair - each apartment is individual. Property in Italy costs much less than here. In Como, which is 30 km from us, you can buy the same property much cheaper. Our prices are like in Swiss; the town is small and there is nowhere to build anymore.
- Are there many new constructions in Campione?
- New buildings are scarce. There are several frozen construction projects, but we do not sell them. As a ruse, secondary housing, which is 5-1- years old is for sale.
- What foreigners buy property in Campione d'Italia? I guess, as always, the Russians?
- Russians, French, Germans. It depends on the "wave". Previously, for example, there were wealthy Americans, now wealthy Russians. We have a lot of Germans, and they do not even speak Italian.
This region being an offshore zone is not taxed, and therefore represents a financial interest to Europeans. It is interesting for Russians as an investment and education for children. They buy houses in Campione to visit children who are enrolled in private schools. It means many people buy and do not live throughout the year.
- What is the minimum budget that is necessary to buy a home in this region of Italy?
- The minimum price is €300 thousand, but it will be a very modest acquisition. On average property in Campione costs €500 thousand, €1 million or more. For €500 thousand, for example, you can buy an apartment of about 60 square meters. We have 150 Russian families, and Russian want large apartments with an area of 150-200 square meters, priced from €3 million
- Do they buy for leasing purposes or for personal use?
- Usually for personal use. Many people come once a month or two. It's convenient: everything is close - ski resorts, sea, Milan is only an hour drive away. People come, take their cars and go in all directions. They don’t have commercial objectives here.

Buying apartment in Campione costs... 4%

- What are your recommendations? What is worth paying attention when choosing real estate? What are the risks?
- It’s not Russia or Ukraine where you buy something and risk your money, here in Italy everything has been thought up and thought out. To be eligible to register a transaction, the notary must have a good education. This job is almost inheritable. All transactions are checked, and when you get credit in the bank, it is the bank who is primarily concerned that the transaction was clear and transparent. The risk in the process of purchase is minimal. If something goes wrong, the notary goes to jail.
Those who want to play extra safe need interpreters, lawyers. But it is not necessary. Go to a bank, open an account, apply for a loan, wait two months, transfer money, and when the bank sees it, it gives it’s part. Then you go to a notary public, make a transaction, and the property is yours. Notary can also check apartment for purity.
- What are the additional expenses?
- In case of Campione d'Italia additional costs will amount to about 4% depending on the property. €10-15 thousand go to the notary. Their services are expensive because they work, check, and coordinate the documents.
Tax is 1.5-2% of the cadastral value. It is understated usually by about 10-20% depending on the object. For example, you buy an apartment, and the previous owner has attached a balcony to it (having received permission, of course), or you buy a house, and there is new construction on the plot. Cadastral value depends on what it was originally. In addition, cadaster does not account for the view from the window or availability of two parking spaces.
For a 60 sq.m apartment tax is €500 per year. Laws are constantly changing; last year there were two taxes, one now is canceled.
- What are the mortgage terms?
- Mortgage rate is 5% per annum; the loan is granted for 20 years, with a down payment of up to 60%. Everything can be adjusted individually. For example, in Italy you can buy an apartment at your own expense, and obtain a bank loan to repair it.