🔹 Hello, Lake Como.
Dictionary.com named “maxxing” its 2026 Word of the Year. My favourite variation: nonnamaxxing: improving your life by adopting the habits of an Italian grandmother. Cooking, slowing down, seeing people. Apparently, nonna had the wellness industry figured out. But you already knew that.
Meanwhile, Italy soft-launched its draft budget for 2027. If you rent out a property, work for yourself, or have kids, this week’s Spotlight is worth a look.
Also this week:
Halloween weekend plans
The Brunate funicular’s November closure
A florist business for sale in Como
Let’s get into it.
-Simona
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🔦 Spotlight
Italy’s 2027 budget proposal: tax breaks, more help for parents and higher taxes on trading
What’s Happening
Italy’s government has approved a €26 billion budget package for 2027. Its proposals include tax changes for homeowners, workers and businesses, plus more help for parents.
Homes & Property
Less tax for landlords. Landlords who keep rents within locally agreed limits would pay 5% tax on rental income, down from 10%. This would fall to 1% if the tenant is 35 or younger.
Tax help for home renovations would continue. Eligible work would keep tax relief worth 50% of costs for your main home and 36% for other properties. You claim this through your income tax over time. Existing limits can reduce the benefit if your annual income is above €75,000.
The furniture bonus would continue. The tax break would be calculated on up to €5,000 of qualifying furniture purchases.
A new tax option for commercial landlords. Owners renting out shops and other business premises could choose one fixed tax percentage on that rent. The percentage and which properties qualify still need confirmation.
Work & Taxes
Freelancers could earn more and keep their tax breaks. Eligible self-employed workers could collect €100,000 a year from customers, up from €85,000, while staying in a lower-tax scheme.
Less tax on some pay rises. Eligible pay rises would continue to attract 5% income tax for private-sector employees. Income limits apply.
Low tax on productivity bonuses would stay. Eligible bonuses for improved results at work would remain taxed at 1%.
Business & Investing
Extra tax breaks for hiring. Businesses could pay less tax when they hire eligible workers under 36 or working mothers.
Higher tax on some investment trades. The government plans to increase the Tobin tax, a tax on certain financial transactions. The final rates and rules still need confirmation.
Help with electricity costs for smaller businesses. A new €1 billion programme would help eligible small and medium-sized businesses access cheaper electricity. The detailed rules still need confirmation.
A tax break for business software. New tax support was announced for businesses investing in software. The amount and who can claim still need confirmation.
Help for Parents
More parental leave at 80% of salary. The amount of leave paid at this rate would rise from three to four months, increasing to five for the second child and six from the third child. It could be used within the child’s first six years.
Childcare help for parents who work for themselves. Eligible self-employed parents could receive up to €500 a month for up to three months towards babysitting or early-years childcare.
What’s next?
November: Parliament debates the draft and negotiates changes.
By 30 November: The European Commission publishes its budget review.
By 31 December: Both houses of Parliament must approve the same final text.
From 1 January 2027: Most approved measures are expected to start. Some will still need detailed rules.
Likely sticking points: pensions, how much income tax to cut, and higher taxes on banks and insurers. The amounts and who qualifies could still change.
📱Trending on Socials
Lake Como EDITION: origin story and sneak peeks
⭐ In Case You Missed It
🗝️ Local Opportunities
🚀 Founders Wanted. Como 1907 and The Players Fund are accepting Seed and Series A startups. Selected companies get a six-month pilot with the club.
🎪 Cernobbio Event Support. Event organisers can request municipal patronage, spaces, equipment, or financial support. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days ahead.
🏆 €30K Social Awards. Local cooperatives and eligible nonprofits can apply for six €5,000 awards. Applications close at noon on 20 November.
🏛️ Business
🎖️ Fontana Knighted. Giuseppe Fontana, president of Fontana Gruppo and Gruppo Villa d’Este, received the Cavaliere del Lavoro insignia from President Mattarella.
🏠 Full-Time Como. Knight Frank’s local network says more international buyers are living in their Lake Como homes for much of the year, not only during summer.
🏨 Luxury Limit? Nomade founder Fabio Basile says around 15 new five-star hotel projects are taking shape and the luxury market is close to saturation.
✈️ Openings/Closings
🏛️ MAKE COMO Opens. Gravedona’s new business and culture centre opens on 3 November, three years after the building was completed.
🍔 McDonald’s Opens. The new Fino Mornasco restaurant opens on 29 October with 240 seats and 30 local employees. A public inauguration follows on 7 November.
🚡 Funicular Closes. The Como–Brunate funicular will close from 9 to 27 November for major slope-safety work.
⛰️ Erna Reopens. Lecco expects the Piani d’Erna cable car to reopen on 1 November, provided work at its two stations finishes on time.
✨ Local Life
🚧 Lakefront Pause. A court has paused the Piazza De Gasperi phase of the Viale Geno project after restaurants challenged the loss of outdoor seating. The case returns on 25 November.
🏊 Pool Competition. Como Nuoto and Como 1907 are competing against Ice Club Como to run Piscina Sinigaglia for two years. The contract is worth €1.87 million.
🚌 Electric Buses. ASF has unveiled eight electric buses and six chargers. Three buses will serve Como city and five will run on provincial routes.
✈️ Global Mentions
🍽️ Michelin Adds Roteo. Roteo at Hotel MUSA in Sala Comacina is among 25 restaurants added in Michelin’s October update. It is recommended by the Guide but does not have a star or Bib Gourmand.
⚽ Torino Turnaround. Como came from behind to beat Torino 3–1, scoring all three goals after the 80th minute.
🏠 Real Estate
🏡 3 Room Apartment, Nesso ($): €375K · 83m² ·
Lake views, garden, balcony, 2 bathrooms.
View
🏡 Penthouse with panoramic terrace, Como ($$) €450K· 217m²
Energy efficiency: D, 2 floors, parking.
🏡 Villa with Swimming Pool, Cernobbio ($$$) €1.35M· 450m² ·
10 rooms, 4 bathrooms, private garden, double garage, swimming pool, air conditioner.
View
🏢 Businesses for Sale
🌸 Florist Business for transfer, Como €35K · 75 m². Rent - 600/month. Strategic location, 2 floral refrigerated displays are included.
☕ Bar for transfer, Como €239K · 64 m² · Rent - €2500/month. Modern, large window, in a historical center. Permits for outdoor space. Fully operational.
🍻 Bar for transfer, Nesso. €40K · 105 m² · Kiosk/bar.
💼 Job Opportunities
🛒 Ecommerce Director: Polti Group (Bulgarograsso). Experience managing Amazon, Marketplace, and DTC channels is required. €85K-€100K gross annual salary.
🧵 Senior Process Engineer: Deep Tech Company (Albese con Cassano). Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering is required. Gross salary: €65-85K/year.
🚚 Operations Manager: Logistics Company (Como area). Requires 10-15 years of industry experience. Gross salary: €60-90K/year.
Have a property, business, or job to feature? Submit it here
📅 Events This Week: Oct 29 to Nov 4
🎃 Halloween Special
FRI 30–SAT 31 OCT
FAMILY HALLOWEEN · 🎃 My Halloween Pumpkin at Villa Carlotta
Explore the autumn pumpkin patch, then carve or paint a pumpkin into your own Halloween lantern.
Pumpkin patch 10:00–17:00 · Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina · Tickets required, pumpkins included in the ticket price.
SAT 31 OCT
HALLOWEEN · 🏰 Halloween at Castel Baradello
Walk through the woods after dark to the medieval castle for ghost stories, costumes and a night-time climb to the tower.
19:30 and 20:30 for families; from 21:00 for adults · Starts in Piazza Camerlata, Como · Booking required; bring a torch
DINNER & MYSTERY · 🕵️ Murder Mystery at the Castle
Solve an interactive murder mystery over a four-course dinner inside Castello di Casiglio’s historic rooms.
20:00–23:00 · Castello di Casiglio, Erba · Reservation required; limited places
THU 29 OCT
STARTUPS · 🚀 Bootstrapping to €200k ARR
Lake Como Future, with Como Ventures, hosts Cibus founder Matteo Melina on bootstrapping an AI startup to €200k ARR in ten months, followed by an aperitivo for local entrepreneurs.
18:30 · Fabbrica Campus, Lomazzo · Registration subject to approval
SAT 31 OCT
SCIENCE & HISTORY · ⚡ Volta’s Methane Discovery Walk
Mark 250 years since Volta discovered methane with rare access to his birthplace and a guided walk to the Tempio Voltiano.
10:00–12:30 · Starts at Casa di Volta, Como · Booking required; almost full
SAT 31 OCT
ARCHITECTURE · 🏛️ Inside the Novocomum
Visit Giuseppe Terragni’s landmark and its normally closed archive with his great-nephew and archive director, Attilio Terragni.
11:00–12:30 · Novocomum, Como · Booking required
SAT 31 OCT
CULTURE & AI · 🛶 Landscapes Brought Back to Life
In a darkened museum, AI-animated photographs bring century-old Lake Como landscapes and boats back into motion.
21:00–22:00 · Museo Barca Lariana, Pianello del Lario · Ticket required
SUN 1 NOV
FOOTBALL · ⚽ Como 1907 v Venezia
Como host Venezia at the Sinigaglia for a Sunday lunchtime Serie A match.
12:30 · Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como · Tickets required
P.S. If we had a Group Chat:
That’s all for this week.
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