Taking part in the €1 mountain homes scheme can appeal to anyone hoping to buy a property at a very low price and turn it into a mountain retreat suited to their own needs. Italy has many mountain locations where it may be possible to create a quiet base for the symbolic price of €1. Cooler summers, snowy winters, wide views, clean air and a slower pace are among the main draws of life in the mountains.
Several locations take part in the €1 homes scheme, each with its own rules and conditions for buying a mountain property without spending a fortune upfront.
€1 homes in the mountains: how does the scheme work?
The €1 mountain homes scheme is an initiative through which municipalities in certain mountain areas aim to bring abandoned and derelict buildings back into use. These properties are sold at a symbolic price in the hope of attracting new residents and supporting the repopulation of mountain areas experiencing population decline.
Buying a €1 home involves more than the low purchase price. Buyers must agree to renovate the property within a specified period. Individual municipalities may set their own rules and guidelines through formal calls for applications covering both the purchase and renovation process. Official regional and municipal channels are therefore needed to establish the current requirements and take part in a specific scheme.
The initiative has been well received in several parts of Italy, helping bring activity back to local communities that might otherwise have continued to decline. Buyers have the chance to contribute to the restoration and preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of mountain areas, while also enjoying a different way of life in a particularly appealing setting.
The Sicilian villages participating in the project
Sicily has some striking mountain settings, making it a good option for people considering €1 homes in the hills and mountains.
Buying a €1 mountain home in Sicily has the added benefit of giving access to both mountain areas and the coast. Some participating locations lie inland, allowing for a fully mountain-based lifestyle, while others combine mountain surroundings with relatively easy access to the sea.
Several Sicilian municipalities have launched €1 mountain home initiatives.
Troina
The Municipality of Troina, in the province of Enna, joined the €1 homes scheme to protect the town’s cultural heritage. Set 1,120 metres above sea level, Troina sits amid the unspoilt nature of the slopes of the Nebrodi Park, with Lake Ancipa nearby.
The Sicilian municipality has been included in the respected list of I Borghi più belli d’Italia — Italy’s most beautiful villages — thanks to its historic centre and its artistic and monumental heritage. It has also been recognised as one of I Cieli più belli d’Italia, or Italy’s most beautiful skies, for its starry night sky and work to reduce light pollution.
Troina may suit those looking for a €1 mountain home and a chance to experience a place on a human scale. The properties identified for the scheme can be viewed among the homes available in Troina.
Cammarata
The Municipality of Cammarata, in the province of Agrigento, is a small village at the foot of Mount Cammarata. It has period houses and narrow lanes leading towards an imposing castle, which hosts important art and photography exhibitions.
Alongside its natural surroundings and property options, it is one of Sicily’s key places for cheesemaking, thanks to local fresh cheeses such as primosale and tuma.
In 2021, the municipality began working with StreetTo, a local non-profit association, on restoring historic homes in the heart of the old town. The main purpose of the partnership is to identify all €1 homes in the area and make them visible through StreetTo’s website.
The association’s team has created an online database of €1 homes in Cammarata, intended to provide practical information and support for people considering moving there and getting to know the town. The municipality’s website contains details on taking part in the regeneration scheme and buying one of the €1 properties.
Piazza Armerina
The administration of the Municipality of Piazza Armerina, also in the province of Enna, has set out procedures for the sale and purchase of €1 homes in the town.
More specifically, it is a small town in the Erei Mountains, home to the Villa Romana del Casale. Its Imperial-era mosaics are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby is Lake Pergusa, surrounded by a large pine forest where ancient prehistoric caves can be visited.
The official website of the Sicilian municipality lists the €1 homes available in Piazza Armerina.
€1 mountain homes in Molise
The areas around the Matese massif and the Lucanian side of the Apennines are natural retreats for people hoping to move somewhere quiet and away from large cities without investing a large sum in property.
Several municipalities in Basilicata and villages in Molise have joined the €1 mountain homes scheme.
Sant’Elia a Pianisi
Sant’Elia a Pianisi, a municipality in the province of Campobasso, Molise, is mainly associated with its Capuchin convent. Over the years, however, it has experienced depopulation and the relocation of some businesses to the regional capital. To reverse this trend, the local administration has introduced several measures, including the €1 homes scheme.
In Sant’Elia a Pianisi, eight homes have been put up for sale at the symbolic price of €1 each, with the aim of supporting the local economy. Taking part in the call for applications requires submitting a request and beginning renovation work within 12 months of receiving permission. The entire renovation must then be completed within three years.
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Explore other areas in Italy with €1 houses or what you need to buy one as a foreigner.
