1 euro homes, Italy

Buying a €1 home can sound very appealing, but it is important to understand the hidden costs involved. Properties sold for this price are often unsafe or in a state of serious disrepair, so spending on renovation work is compulsory. Homes sold for €1 are handed over by their owners to municipalities, which then sell them through a public procedure for the symbolic price of €1.

Italy is seeing a growing number of municipalities put abandoned homes up for sale at the symbolic price of €1 in an effort to counter population decline in historic villages. It is not simply a form of place marketing. The €1 homes scheme in Abruzzo is one of the country’s more established and well-documented examples, centred on a town that has drawn interest from Italian and overseas buyers and become one of the most closely watched historic-village regeneration schemes.

The list of Italian municipalities selling €1 homes is growing, with the latest village in Sicily. In Naro, in the province of Agrigento, the local council has recently approved new regulations and the case1euronaro.it portal is already online, making the process more transparent and accessible for applicants abroad. The aim is twofold: to restore abandoned buildings in the historic centre and tackle depopulation, encouraging renovation work, services and tourism. The project is open both to people looking for a home and to those intending to start a business.

The prospect of a second home, a property investment, a move away from the city or a fresh start can feel a little closer with €1 homes near the sea in 2026. The scheme to sell homes at a symbolic price began in the early 2000s. It was a bold challenge taken up by local authorities to give historic centres a new lease of life, encourage the renovation of abandoned homes, attract new residents and support local businesses.

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.

Tuscany is a region associated with natural beauty, fine wines and a substantial historical heritage.

Many Italian municipalities have adopted the initiative of selling properties at symbolic prices in an effort to increase their populations and revive local social and economic life. €1 homes are often found in villages in Italy’s inland areas. There are, however, a few examples of towns that have published public calls and put properties on the market near seaside destinations, including small places in Sicily and Calabria.

Buying a property for a symbolic price and bringing it back to life is an idea that has existed in Italy for more than 15 years. The initiative began in Salemi, Sicily, in 2008 and has gradually spread across the country, reaching mountain villages and small rural comuni, or local councils. €1 homes in Emilia-Romagna are among the latest examples of this trend. In 2026, a municipality in the province of Piacenza officially joined the scheme. The aim is to curb depopulation, bring unused buildings back into use and attract new residents or investors prepared to put money into these areas.

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.

Pratola Peligna is a small municipality in Abruzzo, in the province of L’Aquila, which, like many other Italian villages, has renewed its €1 house project. In this Abruzzese village, things are going so well that in a short time both the local administration and residents are beginning to see the hoped-for results. As early as April 2023, idealista/news visited the small Abruzzo town and spoke with the local authorities to report on what was happening after the launch of the €1 house scheme. A few years on, the success of the initiative shows no sign of slowing down.

The number of €1 houses in Sicily continues to grow. After Gangi, Sambuca di Sicilia, and Delia, the scheme has now reached the village of Troina, in the former provincial district of Enna. The initiative has previously been featured by CNN. The aim is to renovate and bring new residents into the historic centre’s housing stock. As explained on the official website, “through the ‘€1 Houses’ project, unoccupied properties are transferred at the symbolic price of one euro in order to revitalise and repopulate the ancient quarters of the medieval village.”

If there were a gold medal for €1 houses, it would likely go to Rubia Daniels, who made headlines around the world — from the New York Post to the Daily Mail and CBS — for buying no fewer than five.

Buying a house for €1 in Italy is an unusual but genuine opportunity. It appeals not only to Italians looking to swap city life for a quieter village setting, but also to international buyers who want to experience life in Italy without a huge upfront property cost.

If you are interested in buying a €1 house, a truly unusual listing has appeared on idealista: a farmhouse in Montechiaro d’Asti for just €1. What makes it stand out?

Italy’s €1 homes project has captured attention well beyond its borders.

Foreign pensions received by individuals who are tax residents in Italy are taxable under Article 3 of the TUIR (Consolidated Income Tax Act).

Set on the slopes of Mount Reventino with views stretching towards the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia, the Municipality of Platania is focusing on the revival of its historic centre. It is an opportunity for anyone drawn to the character of southern Italy, just minutes from the sea and Lamezia Terme airport. Here is everything you need to know about the €1 houses for sale in this village in the province of Catanzaro.

€1 homes in Guardia Sanframondi, how the scheme works, who can apply, buyer requirements, renovation deadlines, and how to submit an application.

There’s something irresistible about old Tuscan stone houses or faded townhouses in Sicily — but romance aside, restoring one is not just about choosing cute tiles and sipping espresso on a terrace.Before getting carried away, it’s worth taking a clear-eyed look at the pros and cons of renovating a

Another municipality has joined the list of towns in Italy selling €1 houses. This time it is Farini, in Emilia-Romagna, which has just launched its project to revitalise the social and economic fabric of the area. To find out more, idealista/news contacted Primino Provini, head of the Urban Planning and Commerce Office of the municipality in the province of Piacenza. Here is how to submit an offer and what commitments buyers must undertake.

Italy’s trend of offering financial incentives to revive depopulated areas continues in 2026, and the Autonomous Province of Trento has confirmed that its popular €100,000 grant scheme will continue with new funding allocated for this year.Here’s what you need to know about the scheme in 2026.Up to

Are you considering retiring in Italy? Sicily is one of the most attractive destinations for UK pensioners in 2026. With its stunning landscapes, mild climate, rich culture, and lower cost of living, the island offers a high quality of life.

Sicily sits at the centre of Italy’s 1‑euro house movement.