We’ve all seen the news articles,
“Buy a house in Italy for 1 euro!”
Sometimes it can be difficult when you see those news articles to find actual information about buying a 1 euro home in Italy.
Alas, I am here to help.
Firstly, let’s clear some things up here.
That 1 euro home is going to take A LOT of work before it’s your dream home.
The houses selling in Italy for this cheap are nearly in total ruins. The Italian government runs this incentive, frankly, so they don’t have to deal with the costs of renovating the houses. Also, it boosts tourism in towns that could really benefit from it.
Those sneaky Italians!
How to formally inquire about a 1 euro home
For whichever city you saw the 1 euro homes advertised (there are several), try googling that city’s government website.
Cinquefrondi is just one of the many Italian towns advertising this incentive, and you can find the 1 euro home listings on their website.
2022 Update:
Since this post was written in 2020, it seems Cinquefrondi has ended its incentive. However, there are other towns that have now adopted the same 1 euro housing incentive.
Click here to view the 1 euro listings for the City of Calatafimi Segesta (Trapani). Be sure to scroll to see them, it’s not obvious at first!
Another Sicilian village, Leonforte has a general 1 euro house application that you can find here.
The Italian town of Laurenzana‘has this incentive as well and you can inquire within at comunelaurenzana@rete.basilicata.it
Depending on what country you’re from, the official government website for that small Italian town may require some digging. Try to search through the first three pages of Google.
Different towns will have their own ways of communication. For example, not all towns will have the housing listings public and suggest you email them directly for more information.
They have many requests coming through, so just be patient and they will get back to you after you’ve reached out to them.
What you need to know before buying
These requirements are specifically for purchasing a home in the town of CINQUEFRONDI. Again, different towns may have different requirements, so it is important you find their government site!
You do not need to be Italian.
You must declare that you have not committed mafia crimes.
A short application is required.
In addition to the 1 euro payment, you will have to pay legal document fees.
Restructuring and renovations must begin within 3 months of purchase, and be finished in 3 years.
You must purchase an insurance policy of about 100 euros (the maximum coverage is 20,000 euros).
The conditions of the 1 euro homes
As I previously stated, most of these 1 euro homes are currently not habitable and need to be completely restructured and renovated. On Cinquefrondi’s government website, they have a section featuring homes for sale. Here are scans of a couple of houses from their site.
What to consider
I myself, have definitely considered buying one of these 1 euro homes.
It is estimated that you could renovate these homes for a relatively low cost ranging €5,000 – €20,000.
However, it is important to consider how much time and work this will cost you.
Will you have to travel back and forth to oversee construction? Will you have to pay for accommodation while you are reconstructing your home?
In the end, it is obviously a lot more than €1 that you are giving up.
This CNN Travel article followed a couple who actually bought a 1 euro home and completed renovations. Read about their experience here.
If you have some money saved up, and owning a home in Italy has been a dream of yours – then I say go for it! Putting your home up on Airbnb while it’s not being used is a great way to earn back some of the money that you’ve put into it.
Would you buy a house in Italy for 1 euro?
I’d love to know your thoughts.. would you or would you not buy?
Many thanks to Don Giuseppe Sgambetterra (Instagram @p.happy92) for allowing me to use his photos of beautiful Cinquefrondi!
Are you planning a trip to Italy for your 1 euro home?
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I certainly wouldnt! I would be too scared of the house collapsing on me! AS far as I know, there are many such “ghost villages” in Italy, and I visited one years ago. ON the other hand, there are many successful examples of such villages being resuscitated (been to a few in Turkey) so if there are a few people renovating a property close by, it would be a fascinating place to live!
I think it is such a cool concept! If I had enough money and time to properly restoring one, I probably would, especially if it was near the sea. I thought about them collapsing as well.. it would make me a bit nervous!
I think you CAN get a good quality apartment in Italy for relatively “little” money, same in Greece or Turkey – that are ready to move in or require light renovations. Three is plenty of advice online where to find and buy them. When I was in Italy ten years ago, lots of British were buying small apartments and “trulli” in Puglia for 10-20k as holiday homes. I would not like the idea to “own” something where I only spend so little time in. I like owning my home (and don’t mind fixing it) but for my holidays I prefer to visit different places, and, yeah, the creature comforts of hotel rooms that get cleaned every day and someone else making me breakfast 🙂 not keeping an eye on my property and fixing broken things
You are right; you can buy a new house same price in Turkey:)
When I saw the deal come up on the internet I was already seeing myself in a personal version of Under the Tuscan Sun. I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I dont have the renovation money, but how cool would it be to have a home in Italy? I know I am totally in love with the country and the food and the wine. 🙂
Yes it would be so cool!!
This is so interesting to me. I read the CNN article and thought to myself “if only”. Seriously, my hubby and I might consider this once we retire. 🙂
It would be perfect for retirement!
This is such an awesome post – I had no idea you could buy houses for this cheap in Italy! Such a great opportunity for people who are looking for a place in Italy 🙂
As with anything cheap there’s always a catch. But you just have to do some research and maybe it will work out. It’s a great idea and a really nice dream, but I would like to see more stories of people who have done this and the costs involved over and above the 1 EURO
Very interesting concept! If you wanted to invest in an AirBNB in an area that people want to visit and you could snag a hour for super cheap and fix up, could be a really good investment! Something to think about for the future. I never even knew about something like this. Thanks for sharing!
I definitely would buy one! Like you said, I would research the town and see what it’s like. It would be awesome to say that I have a house in Italy! Even though it would need renovations, it would be so fun doing up a house! Thanks for the informative article!
Great article, have read about this initiative in Italy and other European countries and not all the articles give a lot of useful information. We are currently in South Africa, ready to emigrate to a new country in Europe with a new business venture!
Hi Lanie, I am so glad you found it helpful! That exact reason is why I chose to do some research to write this article. I would often look on reputable news websites publishing about the houses, but they never offered any resources to take action. South Africa sounds like a dream, enjoy your European adventure!
Hi Lanie,
We are a group of four families looking to relocate to Italy and have been researching lots of towns/ villages. I am co-coordinating our group i.t.o. application/s, etc. We are looking to be out of SA by April/May 2021. A further three to four families are looking to follow us during late 2021.
I would love to make contact with you so that we can compare notes and information.
Hey I am interested too. Reach out to be on mrskhan30@gmail.com and lets share info.
Howzit Lanier
Alistair here, from Cape Town.
This does indeed sound like a good idea. We’re looking at immigrating soon, as well.
Did you find out more about viable 1 euro homes?
I am interested in this how do I go about accusing one of this
I am a an Irish citizen so would I qualify
Hi Michael, if you click on the link in the blogpost to Cinquefrondi’s government website, you can find the appropriate email to inquire about purchasing a $1 home in Italy. I do believe Irish citizens qualify!
Hello Natalie ,
Is it possible to but house in Sicilia now,where can I find web site,
Thanks
Stanley from Slovakia
Hi Stanley,
I’m not entirely sure about homes in Sicily. This article is about Cinquefrondi specifically. This website here may have more info for you about different regions: https://1eurohouses.com/
SomeOne get me a home. I am Indian 😁
I loved this post! I have been looking into potentially purchasing one of these homes and I found your article very helpful! I would love to be able to see someones renovation journey. I think that the language barrier could be a challenge, but it sounds very exciting!
If I were to purchase this property, am I qualify for temporary residence in Italy?
Hi, thanks for your comment! You will want to check out Cinquefrondi’s government website and contact them through email. Their website is interlinked in this blog post, or you can google Cinquefrondi’s government website. Best of luck!
I think it is a great idea. America doesn’t have the history Europe does and I think we miss out on preserving the past to benefit the future. I am going to review homes available. I’m just not sure if I want to live on mainland Italy or Sicily. I like the idea of jumping on a train and visiting other parts of Europe. What an adventure!
I think you should totally go for it!
To be truly motivated to consider such an undertaking, I would want to also see accounts of some of the very bad experiences people have had in these ventures. Love the concept, but I always approach with a healthy skepticism.
I don’t blame you Gary. I’d recommend anyone buying land overseas to do extensive research!!