Buying Those €1 Houses in Italy – the Facts

Buying a €1 house in Italy is a real opportunity, but it’s not as simple as handing over €1 and getting the keys. These homes are often in depopulated villages or towns, and the initiative is aimed at revitalizing those areas. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy a €1 house in Italy and what to expect:

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1. Find a €1 House Program

Many Italian towns run their own €1 house schemes. Some of the most well-known are in:

• Sambuca (Sicily)

• Mussomeli (Sicily)

• Ollolai (Sardinia)

• Cinquefrondi (Calabria)

• Laurenzana (Basilicata)

You can find listings on:

• Official town websites

• Platforms like 1eurohouses.com or Casea1euro.it. (we have no experience of these sites so this is not a recommendation)

• Local real estate agents familiar with these programs (we don’t deal with these, sorry)

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2. Understand the Requirements

Buying the house often comes with legal and financial obligations:

Common conditions:

• Renovation Commitment: You must commit to renovating the house, usually within 1–3 years.

• Deposit/Guarantee: Pay a refundable security deposit, typically between €2,000 and €5,000, which you get back after completing the renovations.

• Detailed Plan: Submit a renovation plan approved by the municipality.

• Deadline Compliance: If you don’t renovate in time, you may lose your deposit or the house.

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3. Budget Realistically

While the house costs €1, renovation and legal costs can add up:

• Renovation: €20,000–€80,000+ depending on condition

• Taxes & Fees: Notary, registration, and transfer fees (can be €3,000–€5,000)

• Architect/Surveyor: Required for your renovation plan

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4. Legal Process

• Hire a local notary (notaio): They’ll help with due diligence and transfer of ownership

• Get an Italian tax code (Codice Fiscale): Required for any transaction in Italy

• Sign the deed: Finalize the purchase at the notary’s office

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5. Renovate the Property

Once you own it, you must:

• Begin renovations according to the approved timeline

• Use licensed contractors and meet local building codes

• Notify the town when renovations are complete to recover your deposit (if applicable)

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6. Live In It or Rent It Out

Depending on the town’s rules, you may:

• Be required to live in the property (at least part-time)

• Be allowed to use it as a vacation home or B&B

• Be restricted from reselling for a few years

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 Tips for Success

• Visit in person before buying

• Hire a bilingual real estate lawyer

• Research town requirements carefully

• Factor in all costs, not just the €1 sticker price

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Here are active €1 house schemes in Italy for 2025, across several regions, including how to apply and what to expect:

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1. Villa Basilica (Tuscany)

• Launched in early April 2025 in this medieval hamlet in Lucca province.

• Houses offered for €1 to counter depopulation. Application details published via local municipality.

2. Sicily (multiple towns)

• Caltagirone, Cammarata, Mussomeli, Troina, Salemi, Gangi, Cattolica Eraclea, Regalbuto, Sambuca di Sicilia, and Delia all have current schemes.

• Rules typically include: renovation within ~3 years, deposit (~€1,000–5,000), and submission of a renovation plan.

3. Ollolai and Bonnanaro (Sardinia)

• Ollolai has been active since 2016; several homes remain available. Bonnanaro joined recently.

• Restored requirement: renovate within specified deadlines.

4. Pratola Peligna (Abruzzo)

• Program runs since 2021; batch of €1 homes available throughout 2024–2025.

• Info and application form can be downloaded from the town’s official site.

5. Chiaromonte (Basilicata)

• Scheme started in 2023 and remains open into 2025 for several historic centre properties.

6. Cantiano (Marche), Zungoli (Campania), Borgomezzavalle (Piedmont), Fabbriche di Vergemoli & Montieri (Tuscany), Nulvi (Sardinia), Lecce nei Marsi (Abruzzo), Taranto (Apulia)

• These small towns have live €1 or “symbolic price” offerings with renovation/deposit conditions.

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How to Apply: Step‑by‑Step

1. Choose a town from the list above.

2. Visit the municipality’s website or contact their technical office. Some publish downloadable forms (e.g. Pratola Peligna, Troina, Caltagirone) **  **.

3. Submit required materials, typically including:

• €1 bid or pre-registration

• Security deposit (€1k–5k+)

• Detailed renovation plan, often approved by local planning

4. Meet renovation deadlines, usually 2–3 years, to finalize purchase and reclaim deposit.

5. Use a local notary and get a Codice Fiscale for legal purchase.

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 Most Common Conditions

Next Steps 

• Narrow down region preferences 

• Contact municipalities (e.g., Troina: commune website; Ollolai: ufficiotecnico via phone/email)

• Visit in person, if possible, to survey the property and village

NB. We don’t assist with these €1 properties, but you can see all our properties (including many at great prices which don’t need restoration or have any of these conditions) for sale on www.casatuscany.com