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How to Actually Buy a 1 Euro House In Italy
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?
Shop my Italy essentials.
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