7% Tax Towns In Abruzzo With Strategic Locations And Smart Prices

If you’re not familiar with it, Italy offers a 7% flat tax deal for up to ten years if you move to a town with fewer than 20,000 people.

After writing our guides on this tax break and checking out qualifying towns across different Italian regions, we decided to focus on this region. Using our Town Explorer, we filtered for 7% tax towns in Abruzzo and picked our favorites – places close to the coast and/or mountains, with affordable properties and good connections.

Often called “the greenest region in Europe,” Abruzzo offers something pretty rare: the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountains are just 30 minutes apart. Unlike Italy’s more touristy spots, Abruzzo has kept its authentic feel, offers better value for properties, and makes it easier to actually connect with the community. It’s the kind of place that’s still relatively unknown outside Italy – and maybe that’s exactly why it’s stayed so beautiful and authentic.

Città Sant’Angelo (PE)

Let’s start with one of Italy’s officially recognized “Borghi più Belli” (most beautiful villages): Città Sant’Angelo. This town sits conveniently between the coast and mountains, 20 minutes from Pescara Airport and the beaches, and 40-50 minutes from mountain hiking areas.

What we love about Città Sant’Angelo is how it manages to feel authentically medieval – with narrow cobbled streets, centuries-old churches, and artisan workshops – without giving up modern convenience. You’ll find everything you need for everyday life here, from supermarkets to pharmacies and cafes, though the nearest hospital is about 20 minutes away.

Wine lovers will be happy here. You’re in the heart of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo country, surrounded by vineyards that welcome visitors for tastings and events throughout the year – especially in July, with the famous “Dall’Etna al Gran Sasso“ festival.

Considering everything – its character and location – prices are reasonable: around €1,205 per square meter (about €120,500 for 100 sqm).

Image Source: Adobe Stock

Celano (AQ)

If you’re more into mountains, consider Celano, a small town at the foot of Monte Sirente.

The area is perfect for anyone who loves nature and being outdoors: hiking trails start basically from town, the Velino-Sirente Regional Park is right there, and winter skiing at Ovindoli is just 20 minutes away. Plus, you’re surrounded by the Fucino Plain – once a huge lake, now farmland growing vegetables that supply much of central Italy.

The town is pretty close to both Pescara (45 min) and Rome Fiumicino Airport (around an hour), and there are train stations in town – though you’ll still need a car for getting around or reaching the airport.

Properties here are super affordable at €614 per square meter, so around €61,400 for a 100 sqm house.

Image Source: Adobe Stock

Silvi (TE)

Silvi sits along the Adriatic coast, near Teramo, and has approximately 15,800 residents split between Silvi Marina on the beach and Silvi Paese perched on the hillside above. This setup gives you two options: living right on the beach or in the historic upper town.

The beaches here are wide, sandy, and well-kept, with a long promenade that’s great for evening walks or cycling. Silvi Marina gets busy in summer but quiets down off-season, which is perfect if you want to be near the sea without dealing with tourists year-round.

This is one of the easiest coastal towns to reach in Abruzzo, as Pescara Airport is just 30 minutes south, and the town sits right on the A14 motorway, so getting to other regions is easy. Pescara is 25 minutes away for shopping, restaurants, and cultural stuff; Atri is 20 minutes inland, and Penne about 30 minutes.

Properties run around €1,637 per square meter, so a 100 sqm place would cost roughly €163,700. If you’re looking at similar options, check out Martinsicuro further north. It’s also right on the beach, sitting on the border with Le Marche, which could work well if you want quick access to both regions.

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Spoltore (PE)

Spoltore sits in the hills just 8 kilometers west of Pescara, with around 19,300 people. This is your spot if you want to live in a small town while staying close to a big city – you get Pescara’s shops, airport, and beaches while still qualifying for the tax benefit.

In fact, Pescara Airport is only 15 minutes away, which is super convenient if you travel a lot. The beaches at Pescara and Montesilvano are 10-15 minutes by car. And since Spoltore is right off the main roads connecting Pescara to the interior, you can reach mountain areas in 45 minutes.

The location is great for exploring: L’Aquila and Gran Sasso (Abruzzo’s highest peak) are about an hour away for skiing and hiking. The Majella mountains and towns like Sulmona are similar distances, so you could easily do day trips anywhere in Abruzzo from here.

Properties run about €1,239 per square meter, so a 100 sqm place costs around €123,900. For this kind of access to Pescara and the airport while still getting the tax break, that’s really good value.

Image Source: Adobe Stock

San Salvo (CH)

San Salvo is near Chieti, has around 19,600 residents, and sits just 3 kilometers from the coast. The town gives you a nice mix: San Salvo Marina for beach access, while the main town sits slightly inland with all the basics you need.

Pescara Airport is about 40 minutes away, or you can reach Bari Airport in about an hour and a half.

What makes San Salvo interesting is its spot as a gateway to Abruzzo’s quieter southern coast. The Trabocchi Coast – known for its traditional fishing platforms turned into restaurants – starts nearby. Vasto, a gorgeous hilltop town overlooking the sea, is just 10 minutes away. Go 40 minutes inland and you’ll hit mountain villages and hiking trails in Majella National Park.

Properties average around €1,420 per square meter, so a 100 sqm house runs roughly €142,000. But if San Salvo feels pricey, check out Atessa, about 45 minutes inland. It’s further from the sea (about 20 minutes), but it’s well-connected and incredibly cheap: at €637 per square meter, a 100 sqm house costs around €63,700.

✨ Read our article: “From the UK to Abruzzo: Wendy Ridolini’s Story“

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