Italy offers 1 euro houses once again

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

• Troina

• Ripacandida

• Sant’Elia a Pianisi

• Sambuca di Sicily

• Piazza Armerina

• Augusta

• San Cataldo

• Mussomeli

• Regalbuto

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.

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.

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.

Italy residence permit by investment

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 for residence by investment in Italy

Get the cost calculation

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.