I'm referring to this article on Maltese that bought a property in Sicily https://timesofmalta.com/article/the-maltese-finding-privacy-quiet-sicily-properties.1090625. I did explore the idea of buying several tumoli of land in Sicily; but a friend of mine, who happens to travel frequently between Sicily and Malta for business has warned me not to buy there. The reason is the 'pizzo' that organized crime may impose on foreigners that buy property in Sicily. According to his explanation, the pizzo would entail the forceful imposition of a hefty payment in the form of an 'insurance' by a criminal (mafia I suppose) on foreign property owners or businesses. Has anyone that bought a property there experienced such threats?
by Sus198
10 comments
Now i have a good excuse to tell them go to back to Malta 🤠
Apart from that, i don’t know the ‘pizzo’ thing, but i would suggest to look into Sardinia, i found it much beautiful than sicily
Mafia problems still exist, usually in the form of squatters literally breaking in and not budging.
Try Spain, a little better..
I own some plots in Sicily, and never faced these issues. One of the plots is situated near “Gela”, the former Mafia-HQ of this region. Even there, no issues. It depends what you do and how you brag around.
As long as the fee isn’t unreasonable and that it comes with assurances that my property would be safe and not ransacked, it wouldn’t put me off. It’s no different to council tax, for example, in the uk. Just you’re dealing with the mafia not the local council 🤷♂️
Safety issues is what keeps me from buying a property in Sicily. Apart from lack of public transport and other amenities. Sicilian property is cheap for a reason.
Did your friend know anyone personally who is paying the Pizzo on a residential property?
In my case I have been told the same thing, but nobody that has warned me ever knows the affected people personally, they have just heard rumours. I understand that if you are running a business they will come knocking but for residential property I am dubious this is the case.
There is a facebook group for Maltese people who live in Sicily, you may want to ask there and get direct info. I tried but as I am a Brit they declined my application.
I am also looking at property up there. As well as the listing sites there is the Auction site at (https://astegiudiziarie.it/) which is a great resource.
I heard that they only target you if the property is over a certain value and the notary will be obliged to let them know.
prices are cheap for a reason. Just wait until they get a wind of Maltese people buying a holiday home there and wait for the pizzo delivery (obvious and lame pun),
Your friend doesn’t know what pizzo is and told you a bullshit. No one cares about you and your property in Sicily. Mafia it’s not even interested in small business. They work at different level: big infrastructures, drugs. Basically it’s the same of Malta.
I know plenty of people who have invested there, I haven’t personally however. None of them have had this issue. It’s a rumour that keeps going around but no one knows anyone personally affected.