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The high-end real estate market in Italy is growing, with increasingly structured international demand and many areas still underserved by qualified operators. For those considering opening a real estate franchise in the high-end segment, becoming an Engel & Völkers Licence Partner means joining an established system operating in more than 36 countries, with an internationally recognised brand and an operating model that supports partners at every stage.
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A Licence Partner, often referred to by the acronym LiPa, is the affiliated entrepreneur who acquires the exclusive rights to represent and develop the Engel & Völkers brand within a specific geographic area defined by contract. This is more than a simple commercial affiliation: it is a fully-fledged business model in which the Partner acts as the strategic leader of their own Shop, with full management autonomy and the support of a solid international system.
Unlike an individual real estate agent, whose operational focus is on property acquisition and direct brokerage, a Licence Partner has broader responsibilities: strategic leadership and Shop organisation, recruitment, training and management of the consultant team, development of local market share and optimisation of the potential of the assigned territory.
The Engel & Völkers franchising system was introduced in 1990 and has gradually established itself as one of the most solid business models in the high-end real estate sector worldwide. Today, the network comprises more than 1,100 locations in over 36 countries, with more than 16,700 trained professionals.
The high-end real estate market has structural characteristics that make it particularly attractive for those with an entrepreneurial mindset. In Italy, 2026 confirms steady growth in the high-end segment, driven by increasingly significant international demand: European, British and other international buyers are looking to Italy as a high-quality destination, attracted by its cultural heritage, lifestyle and competitive property values compared with other international markets.
Unlike the mainstream market, the high-end segment tends to maintain more stable volumes and values even during periods of broader market downturn, supported by financially stronger buyers who are often seeking investment opportunities. In many areas of Italy, this segment is also still relatively underserved by established operators. For those entering the market today with an internationally recognised brand, this can mean establishing themselves as a trusted point of reference before the market reaches saturation.
In many areas of Italy, the high-end segment is still relatively underserved. Discover how to become an Engel & Völkers Licence Partner and establish your position before the market reaches saturation
One of the aspects that sets the Engel & Völkers model apart is its openness to different professional backgrounds. Previous experience in the real estate sector is not essential to become a Licence Partner: the key skills are an entrepreneurial mindset, leadership, strong communication skills and the ability to manage people.
Professionals from sales, management or related fields can find in the E&V model a platform that leverages transferable skills and combines them with specialised training in the high-end real estate market. Those who already have a background in real estate, on the other hand, can draw on their industry knowledge and further accelerate business development.
In both cases, the onboarding process and training programmes offered by the Engel & Völkers Academy are designed to bridge any skills gaps and support Partners in building a strong team and establishing an effective presence in their local market.
The process of becoming an Engel & Völkers Licence Partner is structured into clearly defined stages, designed to ensure maximum transparency for candidates from the very first contact.
The first step is an interview with the Expansion Italy team, during which the candidate’s profile is assessed and all relevant information about the affiliation model is shared, including costs, contractual structure, expectations and opportunities. It is an open discussion with no obligation, allowing both parties to assess the compatibility between the candidate’s profile and the requirements of the territory of interest.
Once a potential Partner has been identified, the Expansion team proceeds with the assessment of the available licence area, analysing the attractiveness of the territory based on factors such as real estate transaction volumes, the presence of primary and second-home markets, industry statistics, and the presence of major cities or relevant urban centres. The aim is to identify the area with the greatest potential for the candidate’s specific profile.
From signing the contract to the opening of the Shop, the average timeframe is up to six months. During this period, the Partner is supported by the Country Design Manager through three stages of project consultancy:
Location assessment: selecting and surveying the property, assessing its visibility and estimating the investment budget.
Design and layout: defining the spaces and furnishings in accordance with Engel & Völkers’ global Corporate Design guidelines.
Fit-out and opening: support throughout the works, installation of official graphics and systems, through to final testing and the Shop opening.
The works follow the brand’s international design standards, ensuring an impactful Shop experience for a high-profile clientele.
Joining the Engel & Völkers network means gaining access to an ecosystem of tools, resources and support that an independent operator would find difficult to build on their own. Here are the main benefits:
Recognised international brand: a global positioning in the high-end segment that translates into an immediate competitive advantage in the local market and the ability to attract qualified clients from day one.
Exclusive licence area: the assigned territory is exclusively managed by the Shop. Through the referral system, properties acquired by other Shops anywhere in the world are also transferred to the Shop responsible for the relevant territory.
Engel & Völkers Academy: around 200 people receive training in Italy every year, with programmes dedicated to Licence Partners and their teams, including specialised training in sales (Ready to Sell!), recruitment (Ready to Recruit!) and team leadership (Ready to Motivate!), complemented by intensive courses, webinars and network workshops.
State-of-the-art digital tools: access to the proprietary EVA CRM, Google Workspace, personalised landing pages and newsletter tools, providing international-standard technology from day one.
Structured marketing: access to the Brand Portal, publication in GG Magazine, dedicated social media and online campaigns, and offline marketing support, ensuring a consistent presence aligned with the brand’s positioning.
Ongoing support: continuous support from the central Italy team, including Expansion, Regional Managers, Country Design Manager, Relationship Manager and Talent Attraction Manager, across all areas of the business.
In 2025, the Engel & Völkers Group achieved its highest-ever annual result, with total revenue of €1.3 billion. This performance reflects the strength of the business model and the network’s ability to generate value even in challenging market conditions. In Italy, the network also recorded double-digit growth in the same year, with a 16% increase in commission revenue.
With more than 1,100 locations in over 36 countries and more than 16,700 trained professionals, Engel & Völkers continues to expand. In Italy, there are still high-potential areas available for new Licence Partners, from the north-west to the south, including some of the most attractive high-end destinations in central Italy and the islands.
For those considering an entrepreneurial investment in the high-end real estate sector, now is the time to join this network.
Contact the Engel & Völkers Expansion team for an initial, no-obligation discussion. Find out how to start your journey in high-end real estate franchising.
FAQ about becoming an E&V Licence Partner
A Licence Partner is an entrepreneur who manages the Shop, leads the team and develops the exclusive territory. A real estate agent focuses on the direct brokerage of properties. The two roles are complementary within the same system.
No. The key skills are an entrepreneurial mindset, leadership and people management skills. The E&V model also values professionals with sales or management experience outside the real estate sector.
In 2025, the Group recorded total revenue of €1.3 billion, its highest-ever result. In Italy, the network increased its commission revenue by 16% in the same year.
The investment includes a one-off entry fee and a consultancy fee for the Shop fit-out. For the latest details, the Expansion Italy team is available for a direct discussion.
The assigned territory is exclusively managed by the Shop: no other E&V partner or agent can operate there. Properties acquired by other Shops in the area are transferred to the Shop responsible for the territory through the referral system.
Proprietary EVA CRM, Google Workspace, personalised landing pages, the Brand Portal, structured social media and online campaigns, publication in GG Magazine, and ongoing support from the central Italy team.
From contract signing to the Shop opening, the average timeframe is up to six months. During this period, the project consultancy, site visit by the Country Design Manager and fit-out works are carried out.
Yes. The licensing requirements can be covered by an Office Manager or by agents on the team who hold a real estate licence. The Licence Partner can also choose to obtain the licence at a later stage.
Yes. Through the Engel & Völkers Academy, around 200 people in Italy receive training every year through programmes designed for Licence Partners and their teams, complemented by intensive courses, webinars and network workshops.
Available locations include areas across all major regions of Italy: from the North West (Pavia, Piacenza, Mantua) to the North East (Udine, Ferrara, Reggio Emilia), from Central Italy (Livorno, Pistoia, Pescara) to the South and the Islands (Sassari-Alghero, Salerno-Cilento, Gargano, Matera, Tropea). For the full list, contact the Engel & Völkers Expansion Italy team.