What drives the price of a shop
- Footfall and visibility. In Bolzano the same square metre is worth very different amounts under the Portici arcades, on the pedestrian streets of the old town, on Corso Libertà or on a side street. The side of the street, a corner position and closeness to bus stops and car parks all count.
- Shop windows and frontage. More window, more value. A deep unit with one narrow window is worth less than a smaller but wider one.
- Ceiling height, mezzanine and storage. Tall units with a usable back room or basement appeal to more businesses.
- Services and fit-out. Extraction flue, compliant toilets, step-free access, air conditioning: decisive for restaurants and many shops.
- Permitted use. The cadastral category (usually C/1) and planning use must allow the buyer's or tenant's business.
Vacant or let?
A vacant unit appeals to people who want to open their own business there: the price follows local values and the unit's features.
A let unit appeals to investors, who value it on income: value ≈ annual rent ÷ expected yield. Example: rent of €24,000 a year and a required yield of 6% → about €400,000. The remaining lease term, the tenant's strength and rent reviews also matter. A good tenant on a long lease can raise the value; an off-market rent or arrears lower it.
Sell or let?
It depends on what the unit earns today and what you want to do with the proceeds. If the rent you can achieve is low compared with the sale value, or the unit is often empty, selling may pay. If the location is strong and rental demand is steady, keeping and letting it can earn more over time. Either way, start from the market value.
What to prepare
- Land register extract, cadastral record and plan matching the actual state.
- Building permits and habitability certificate showing commercial use.
- Energy performance certificate (APE), required for commercial units too.
- If let: the registered lease, current rent, dates and any arrears.
- Condominium fees and system certifications.
The full list, which also applies to commercial units, is in documents to sell a home in South Tyrol.
Tax on selling commercial property
Taxes change depending on whether the seller is a private individual or a VAT-registered business, and whether the buyer is a private individual or a company: registration tax or VAT, mortgage and cadastral taxes, and possibly capital gains tax if you sell within five years of buying. Always work it out with the notary or an accountant before setting the net price you need.
Commercial units in nearby towns
In Laives, Appiano or Terlano shops rely mainly on local customers: the square, parking and nearby services count. The towns' industrial zones have their own rules, explained in warehouses and storage.
What is your unit worth?
In the calculator choose "Shop / commercial unit": we use the OMI values for the Shops type in the address's zone. For a let unit or a very particular location, also ask for an on-site valuation at the end.