Restoring abandoned properties has become one of the most pressing priorities for many Sicilian municipalities, which have long been dealing with depopulation and the decline of their historic building stock. The €1 houses in Sicily scheme has provided a response to these challenges, turning crumbling homes into genuine opportunities for Italian and international buyers.
Launched in 2008, the initiative has gained growing international attention, attracting major media outlets and investors from around the world. Today, several towns have chosen this path, each with its own features, management approach and specific public call setting out the purchase conditions. In some cases, the results have already exceeded expectations.
What is the €1 houses project in Sicily?
The mechanism behind the €1 houses project is fairly straightforward: owners of unused properties transfer their homes for a symbolic price to new buyers, who commit to renovating them within a set timeframe.
The local council acts as an intermediary, setting out the conditions through public calls and often supporting both parties with tax incentives and administrative assistance. Behind every €1 house project are three main objectives:
- curb the abandonment of historic towns;
- restore and improve the existing building stock;
- revive the local economy through tourism.
In some cases, such as in Troina, the ambition goes further. The aim is to create a real cultural exchange, opening the town to new residents arriving from different backgrounds.
The initiative is open to anyone, including foreigners, and the permitted intended use varies by municipality, ranging across permanent residence, second homes and tourist accommodation.
Where to find €1 houses in Sicily
The municipalities participating in the €1 houses in Sicily initiative are spread across three provinces of the island, across inland hills and the mountain areas of the Nebrodi and Sicani ranges.
Each has developed its own approach, with different property stocks, requirements and support structures. Below are the Sicilian towns currently active in the scheme.
Cammarata
A medieval town in the province of Agrigento, nearly 700 metres above sea level in the Sicani Mountains, Cammarata has a historic centre of cobbled streets and Arab-Norman arches. The €1 houses project in Cammarata, launched in 2015, involves the transfer of abandoned properties for residential, commercial or hospitality use.
Management is handled by the association “Street To”, a group of young local professionals who assist buyers at every stage, from the purchase deed to the completion of works. The vast majority of interested parties come from abroad, and a dedicated CNN report significantly increased the project’s international visibility.
Mussomeli
Mussomeli, in the province of Caltanissetta, represents the most successful case at the regional level. Around 450 sales have been completed, with buyers arriving from 18 countries, and annual visitor numbers rising from 390 in 2015 to more than 8,000.
The local administration has made agencies with multilingual staff available to facilitate contact between sellers and new buyers. Among the less expected outcomes of the €1 houses project in Mussomeli, the arrival of ten Argentine doctors helped keep the local hospital unit open, which had been at risk of closure.
Piazza Armerina
Piazza Armerina, in the province of Enna, launched the project to redevelop its Baroque and Norman historic centre and counteract population decline. The town is best known for the Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO site featuring fourth-century AD mosaics.
The public call also allows second homes and purchases for hospitality purposes, widening the pool of potential applicants. The administration has opened discussions with professional bodies to create a collection of renovation projects at the symbolic cost of one euro, to be matched with the available properties.
Troina
Troina is the highest municipality in the province of Enna, at 1,121 metres in the heart of the Nebrodi Park, and has been part of the Borghi più belli d’Italia network since 2019. It joined the project in 2021 with the clear aim of welcoming new international residents, as well as repopulating its historic centre.
The conditions set out in the public call for €1 houses in Troina include submitting an approved renovation plan, starting works within two years and lodging a €5,000 bank guarantee to cover the commitments undertaken.
How to buy a €1 house
The starting point for anyone considering a purchase under the €1 houses scheme is always to read the municipal call for applications, as conditions vary considerably. There are, however, some recurring obligations that are useful to bear in mind:
- begin renovation works within the timeframe indicated in the call, usually two months or two years
- lodge a bank guarantee, where required, to ensure the works are carried out
- cover notary fees, title transfers and land registry registration
- submit a detailed and approved renovation project
Relying on local professionals can make a substantial difference, particularly for foreign buyers unfamiliar with Italian procedures. Some municipalities provide direct support, while others work with associations such as “Street To” in Cammarata. Available properties are listed on each municipality’s official website.
Living in Sicily
Anyone considering relocating to or investing in property in Sicily can browse a wide range of listings, regularly updated, for homes for sale or rent across the region on the idealista portal.
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