Italy offers 1 euro houses once again
In June 2023, the municipality of Ripacandida joined the One Euro House in Italy program, putting up several properties for sale.
Property buyers must renovate it and pay the necessary taxes. Learn who, where and under what conditions can buy an Italian house for one euro.
Legal and Compliance Officer
Immigrant Invest doesn’t assist with the One Euro House in Italy program
The following content is for general informational purposes only. If you want to relocate to Italy, we recommend considering the Italy Golden Visa.
Italian municipalities periodically announce the sale of new properties for one euro. These are mostly old houses, but commercial properties, castles, and even abandoned lighthouses are also up for sale.
If a buyer plans to use the property for tourist purposes, such as a guest house, they should mention it in the application. The municipality will then offer a specific property to them.
The One Euro House in Italy program was launched to stimulate the economic development of municipalities and restore the appearance of cities and villages. Local authorities also hope that the program will attract new residents to the regions and reduce the outflow of old ones.
Some municipalities offer bonuses to buyers. For example, Troina will pay €15,000 to renovate a property in the city’s historical centre. The local administration will also pay for additional energy efficiency work.
Where to buy a 1 euro property in Italy
The program doesn’t have an official website. Some municipalities offer houses for sale on the city’s website, while others email up‑to‑date lists of properties per potential customer’s request.
The project Casea1euro.it has compiled a list of all municipalities in Italy where one can buy a house for one euro. Such properties are currently available in all regions of Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia. Most of the offers are in the south of the country.
9 places in Italy that sell 1 euro houses
Nearly every month, new towns or villages from remote municipalities join the One Euro House in Italy program. Property owners are advised to track information about new homes in the news and immediately email a municipality’s administration.
Most municipalities are located in picturesque rural areas. Pictured: the Italian commune of Troina landscape
How to buy a house in Italy for 1 euro
The rules for participating in the program may vary slightly. Municipalities independently select properties and specify the conditions under which they can be purchased.
Anyone can buy a house for one euro, including a foreigner from a country where Italians can purchase real estate.
Standard requirements for program participants:
be over 18 years old;
submit a project for the property’s renovation, usually within 6—12 months after the purchase;
make a deposit as a guarantee of renovation works — from €1,000 to €5,000;
pay the transfer of ownership tax;
pay for the services of a notary who accompanies the transaction;
renovated the property within the defined period of 1—3 years.
Many municipalities require potential buyers to visit the city or village and inspect the selected house before making a deal.
Most homes require major repairs, so the cost is difficult to estimate. Some program participants spent several thousand euros on restorations, while others spent several hundred thousand euros.
Such projects attract high‑net‑worth people willing to invest significant funds in real estate. The program attracts celebrities; for example, the host of the British talk show Alan Carr and The Sopranos actress Lorraine Bracco also bought a house for 1 euro in Italy.
Can foreigners get a residence permit in Italy if buying a house?
Italy does not issue residence permits to real estate buyers from foreign countries. Therefore, owners of one‑euro houses can get an Italian residence permit by other means.
Residence permit by investment. High‑net‑worth individuals can take part in the investment residency program. It provides four investment options:
spend at least €250,000 on a share or shares in an innovative startup;
at least €500,000 on a share or shares in a local limited liability company;
at least €1,000,000 as a philanthropic donation to socially significant projects;
at least €2,000,000 on government bonds.
The first residence permit card is valid for two years and can be extended for another three years. Investors do not have to live in Italy to maintain their residence permit status. But to get a permanent residence permit, they must spend at least 183 days a year in Italy. Then, after 5 years of living in the country, investors can apply for permanent residence.
Investors' family members can also participate in the program: a spouse and children under 18. Parents and children over 18 can be included in the residence permit application if the investor supports them financially.
Individual cost calculation of the Italy Golden Visa
Residence permits for financially independent individuals are issued at the chosen place of residence. The status can be obtained by a foreigner with a passive income from abroad — at least €2,580 per month, or about €31,000 per year.
Applicants for a residence permit must also:
rent or buy residential real estate;
register at the chosen place of residence;
live in the country for at least 183 days a year;
pay taxes in Italy.
Other ways to get a residence permit. Italy also grants foreigners residence permits for work, study, medical treatment and family reunification. Refugees, volunteers, and religious leaders can also get the status to live in the country. Each of them has the right to buy real estate in Italy.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean. If you want to get a residence permit in Italy, please consult our investment program experts.
