Buying a house for €1 in Italy: how does it work?

Many city dwellers dream of escaping the noise and stress of urban life, seeking greener surroundings or a gentler pace in a quiet village. Living in the rolling hills of Tuscany, owning a home in Sicily, or enjoying a sea-view house in Puglia, wouldn't that be wonderful? And if it only costs one euro, it sounds even better!

Buying a house for €1 is a tempting opportunity. While the process for buying a home is the same for everyone, everywhere in Italy, this specific scheme comes with a few additional requirements to be aware of.
 

1. Why are Italian towns selling houses for €1?

Like many countries, Italy is facing rural depopulation. Young professionals leave their hometowns to move to larger cities in central or northern Italy, in search of work and better services. As a result, many villages are losing residents, and abandoned homes are falling into disrepair, becoming a burden on local heritage.

To combat this demographic crisis, some municipalities are offering neglected houses for a symbolic price of €1. This initiative aims to attract new residents, boost the local economy, preserve the local architectural heritage... and save villages threatened with extinction.
 

2. Where can you buy a €1 House in Italy?

You’ll find €1 houses in many Italian regions, from north to south: Piedmont (Carrega Ligure, Albugnano), Liguria (Pignone, Triora), Veneto, Lazio (Maenza, Patrica), Marche, Calabria, Campania, Sicily, Sardinia and Puglia.

In Sicily, municipalities such as Augusta (Syracuse), Saponara and Itala (Messina), Sambuca di Sicilia and Bivona (Agrigento) are offering homes for €1. The available stock is always limited and renewed once sold out. The scheme has gained traction, especially in towns that promoted it well, like Gangi (one of the pioneers) and Sambuca di Sicilia.

In Sardinia, many villages have put their houses up for sale at a symbolic price. Ollolai stood out with its humorous campaign aimed at American buyers. You’ll also find €1 properties in Nulvi, Romana, Montrata and Osilo.

In Puglia, the available €1 homes are mostly in the Salento area, a bonus if you love sunshine, beaches, and olive oil. Look out for listings in Caprarica di Lecce or the historic center of Taranto, a provincial capital with 195,000 residents.
 

3. What are the conditions to buy a €1 house?

Buying a house under this scheme comes with conditions. The buyer must provide a financial guarantee proving their ability to renovate the property. They are required to restore the home according to local urban planning regulations, within a time frame of 1 to 3 years (depending on the municipality). A renovation plan must be submitted and approved by the local authorities. All works must be carried out by licensed local contractors.

Since the goal is to repopulate under-inhabited areas, new owners may be required to live there as their primary residence or, at the very least, to present a tourist development project.
 

4. How much does a €1 house really cost?

While the property price is symbolic, the real costs are much higher. The deposit required to prove the buyer's financial capacity generally varies between €2,000 and €10,000.

Renovation expenses can start at €20,000–50,000 and may exceed €150,000 depending on the surface area. Add notary fees and purchase taxes (€1,000–5,000 depending on region and property size), plus local property taxes (IMU, TARI) and insurance costs.

On average, the real cost of a €1 house in Italy is estimated at around €120,000.
 

5. Is buying a €1 house really worth it?

If you agree with the conditions of allocation and consider the price per square meter of the finished project, this type of investment is often more advantageous than building a new home or buying a property to renovate.

In fact, renovation is the main item of expenditure for this type of investment. However, in any purchase of a house to renovate, the price of the work per sqm remains more or less the same. So, essentially, you’re only paying for the renovation.
 

6. The alternative: buying a cheap house in Italy

If you would rather avoid the constraints of the €1 scheme, you should know that many renovation projects are available from €15,000 in Italy and with fewer strings attached.

Looking for something ready to move into? Italy still offers great value real estate, with habitable homes and apartments available from €50,000 in several regions.
 

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