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Sardinia, Italy, is a Mediterranean island known for beautiful beaches, rich culture, and a relaxed lifestyle. It appeals to expats and retirees seeking sunshine, good food, affordable living, and access to Italy’s healthcare system.
About 120 miles west of mainland Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea, lies the Italian island of Sardinia.
Sardinia is Italy’s second largest island (Sicily being the biggest) and home to over 1.5 million people. Covering some 9,300 square miles it’s around the same size as New Hampshire and boasts over 1,100 miles of coastline featuring rocky coves, pebble bays, white-sand beaches, and crystal clear waters.
In the late 1950s a consortium of investors led by a prince began to develop tourism infrastructure on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) on the northeast of the island.
At Costa Smeralda’s heart is Porto Cervo which became a playground for the rich and famous. Here you’ll find a 700-berth marina, luxury hotels, a yacht club, and an airport. Over the years this ritzy resort has attracted everyone from Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy to Brigitte Bardot and Kirk Douglas.
Once Costa Esmerelda had put Sardinia on the map, a wave of tourism development washed over the island and today there’s something to appeal to all tastes and budgets for visitors and expats alike. Whether you want designer boutiques or wellness resorts, golf or fine dining, boating adventures or wine tasting afternoons, you’ll find it all here.
Let’s dive in…
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
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Sardinia has three commercial airports, two in the north— Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport and Alghero Airport (also known as Fertilia Airport)—and one in the south—Cagliari Elmas Airport.
In May 2026 Delta Air Lines will launch a new non-stop route from New York-JFK to Olbia (OLB). The flight will operate four times a week during the summer season.
See our full guide to Italy’s visas and residency options—so you can understand the main pathways, what typically qualifies you, and what to prepare before you apply.
Living in Sardinia can be relatively affordable when compared to North America and other parts of Italy. As with most anywhere, life in the capital city will cost more and the same applies to the tourist hotspots. A budget of around $2,000 a month will see a couple living well here and that will include rent in a popular spot like Alghero.
If you’re happy to get off the beaten track and live among the locals you can find homes renting for as little as $400 a month, which would reduce your overall budget considerably.
For groceries, you’ll find chain stores like Conad, SuperPan, and Eurospin in most of island’s bigger towns and cities. The chain stores carry a wide range of essentials, from fresh produce and bakery items to household goods. Of course, the markets are the star of the show here and the best place for the freshest seasonal produce at great prices. Imported products from back home will cost more but high-quality local meats and cheeses will be more affordable.
A packet of pasta (half a kilo) will cost around $1, a loaf of bread around $1, chicken fillets are around $12 a kilo, a dozen eggs is around $4, a bottle of wine is around $9, and laundry soap (2.5 liters) will cost around $12.
When dining out, lunch at a low-key local spot can be as little as $10 and dinner around $25. In touristy areas or upscale resorts, the sky is the limit.
Get a clear breakdown of everyday expenses in Italy—including housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare—so you can budget accurately before you make the move.
One of Sardinia’s key attractions is of course its beaches—49 of which have been awarded Blue Flag status. This international award recognizes a high level of environmental and quality standards.
Perhaps the best-known corner of Sardinia is Costa Smeralda (the Emerald Coast), a glittering stretch of coastline frequented by the jet-set. Here you’ll find white-sand beaches and mega-yachts anchored in crystal clear waters. Piccolo and Grande Pevero beaches are great for watersports, sunbathing, and star spotting.
Sardinia has a surprisingly rich cultural scene with a decent offering of galleries, museums, and theaters. In Cagliari the National Archaeological Museum showcases Sardinia’s Nuragic history while the Cittadella dei Musei complex hosts rotating art and history exhibits.
Sassari and Alghero have a number of contemporary art galleries and Cagliari’s Teatro Lirico is the go-to spot for opera, ballet, and classical music performances.
Sardinia hosts a number of colorful events and festivals throughout the year.
Get a practical overview of living in Italy—including lifestyle considerations, local routines, and what newcomers typically wish they knew before moving.
Italy offers an independent means visa known as the Elective Residency Visa that many retirees use to live in the country long-term.
The basic requirement to qualify is proof of passive income (pensions, dividends, royalties, rents, etc.) of €32,000 per year (about $33,765 annually or $2,815 monthly). This grants you a one-year residence permit that is renewable.
See what retirement can look like in Italy—including lifestyle considerations, practical planning tips, and what to expect as you explore your options.
Italy’s health care system is one of the world’s best, so you should feel confident having your medical needs taken care of here although health care on Sardinia isn’t as impressive as what you’ll find on the mainland.
In the capital, Cagliari, you’ll find Ospedale Universitario di Cagliari which serves as a major teaching and research hospital in the region. It’s a public facility comprising the San Giovanni di Dio hospital and Duilio Casula hospital and provides a wide range of medical and surgical care.
In the city of Olbia, the Mater Olbia Hospital, is a private facility offering state of the art facilities in a modern and luxurious premises. Highly-trained staff provide expertise in cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, and general surgery. It’s a popular choice for expats.
Explore how the healthcare system works in Italy, what expats typically do for coverage, and what to expect for day-to-day care—so you can plan with confidence before you move.
Sardinia stands out as one of Italy’s safest regions, with official figures ranking its crime rates as the third lowest among Italy’s 20 regions. It ranks far below the national average for serious offenses like theft, robbery, and violence.
Italy ranks at number 33 on the 2025 Global Peace Index—for comparison, Canada ranks #15 and the U.S. at #128.
Sardinia has a low to moderate risk of earthquakes. Flash floods can occur in some inland valleys during particularly heavy rains.
Sardinia residents enjoy a classic Mediterranean climate with long, hot, dry summers. Winters are wet but generally pretty mild.
In the summer, temperatures along the coast peak around 86 to 90°F (30 to 32°C) with warm sea breezes.
In winter, daytime temperatures hover between 50 to 59°F (10 to 15 °C). Inland, in mountainous areas temperatures can drop below freezing and winters can be harsh. The mountains of Gennargentu—home to Bruncu Spina ski resort—frequently see snowfall.
Spring and fall experience some rainfall, generally confined to the occasional short showers.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Italian is the main language spoken on Sardinia and after that it’s Sardinian (also known as Sard, Sardo, Sardu, and Limba Sarda). English is more widely spoken in the capital, Cagliari, larger cities like Olbia and Sassari, and in tourist areas such as Alghero and Costa Smeralda.
Outside of these areas, the level of English spoken can be quite limited so if you’re planning a move here you’ll need to know or be ready to learn Italian.
The easiest way and best way to get around the island is by car, especially if you choose to make your home here.
If you opt for public transport, ARST operates a decent network of bus routes. The railway network is less developed but fine along main routes such as Cagliari to Olbia and Cagliari to Sassari. The main lines are operated by operated by TRENITALIA while ARST manages some secondary routes.
The primary job market in Sardinia revolves around tourism with the peak season running from May to September. Sardinia has higher unemployment rates than mainland Italy, particularly for younger workers, and it can be hard to find work as a newcomer particularly if you don’t speak the language.
For remote workers, internet connection is generally solid in Sardinia’s big cities and towns, with typical download speeds around 80–100 Mbps, though connectivity in rural areas can be patchier. Italy also offers a digital nomad visa with a minimum income threshold of €28,000 per year.
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