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The number of Italian villages offering properties for sale at symbolic prices has grown to over 40, with another village added in Sardinia in 2022. In Bonnanaro , the 1 euro home initiative is now in effect, and in Ripacandida , it is in effect. The 1 euro house scheme has arrived in Cantiano, a town located in the Pesaro Urbino province of the Marche region, where it will be available to homeowners. Caltagirone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sicily, is one of the few towns that sell houses for one euro.
Oh, also, if you do buy a house for $1.25, you have to commit to refurbishing it within three years … which will likely cost about $25,000. If you’re looking for a great place to live in Italy with less cost of living than major cities, theAbruzzo region is certainly a good place to start. It is always a risky proposition to purchase and rehabilitate a $1 home in Italy. If you intend to complete the project, you will most likely need a translator or assistant who can assist you in researching local contractors and overseeing the work.
What The Location Offers
It's on the brink of becoming a ghost town, as younger residents have fled to bigger cities. According to CNN, the population has dropped from 2,250 to 1,300 in the past few years. The job prospects in the area are fairly limited, so this would be a particularly great opportunity if you can work remotely. "They're picturesque old buildings made with Sardinia's typical gray granite rock that grows on mountain peaks and shores," says Arbau. Now Ollolai, which takes its name from an ancient battle cry of "alalé," is fighting back once again.
Alan Massacesi, a potential buyer in Cantiano who is currently based in the city of Pescara, is looking to buy a one euro house and transform it into an "off-the-grid" home. He is interested in the initiative because he hopes that Cantiano will have fewer legal restrictions on the renovation than the excessive and complicated bureaucracy that he says is typical of Italian cities like Pescara. One of the buyers, Vito Casula, a retired builder, has already snapped up here a two-story house for less than the cost of a cappuccino. He has transformed his new home only by using environmentally friendly materials and recycling old furniture, while keeping the original decor intact at the same time. Located in the mountain region of Barbagia on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, Ollolai is a small Italian village that is selling hundreds of abandoned homes for just €1 (INR 80/- or $1.2). In Maenza, Italy, around 100 homes are being sold for about $1 to prospective buyers who will be able to convert them into apartments.
Your own Italian home for $1? You can buy it in Ollolai
It should also have a ripple effect for local businesses like hotels and restaurants. In an effort to lure new residents, the ancient village of Ollolai on the island of Sardinia is putting hundreds of abandoned historic homes in the area up for sale for less than the price of a cup of coffee. Naturally, you'd expect there to be some sort of catch, and there is, but it's actually not all that extraordinary. You can purchase one of the discounted homesas long as you commit to refurbish it within three years -- an undertaking that will likely set you back a cool $25,000.
Unlike similar offers that've been made by other towns in Italy hoping to attract new residents, this one isn't exclusive to Italian residents. In fact, Ollolai's mayor says that three sales have already been finalized, and that they've received over 100 inquires from all over the world. Three houses have already been sold despite the poor conditions and Arbau has received purchase requests from more than 100 interested parties from across the world, including Russia and Australia. It has a large garden , residents’ parking, and nice features such as chestnut beams in a wine cellar and frescoed ceilings in the bedroom.
Buying a property in Italy
Be prepared to shell out $25,000 in refurbishment costs within the next three years. Local officials are offering to aid any new owner with grants that range from 20 to 60 percent of the total renovation's cost. Gal Osovsky–another buyer in Sicily’s Sambuca–estimates that he'll pay about 110,000 euros for each of the four apartments he plans to develop. So far, about 200 houses have been sold, according to the official 1€ Houses website.

According to the agent, the area is a popular destination for Russian tourists due to its clean streets and pristine countryside. There are approximately 900 abandoned houses in the town of Taormina on the slopes of Mount Etna, near chic Taormina, as well as the beaches of Sicily’s east coast. This year, approximately half of the material will be destroyed and given away for a symbolic price of ($1.20).
Back to the list of Municipalities interested in the 1 euro house project
Other areas have been struck by earthquakes, affecting homes that sell for one euro. A renovation project plan typically costs between 3,000 and 3,900 euros to prepare. Furthermore, the council will provide you with a contract with a builder that has been approved. In order to keep your initial deposit, the work must begin within a couple of months of the project being approved, and it must be finished within three years – if not, you will lose the deposit.

If you're interested, feel free to shoot them a note directly via the special website the town set up -- though it might help to find an Italian speaker to help you out. Ollolai’s mayor told Efisio Arbau told CNN there have been close to 100 requests for homes already, so if this is truly something of interest to you, act fast and apply here. Foreigners are not required to follow any restrictions when purchasing property in Italy. Italian authorities, on the other hand, have the authority to verify certain aspects of criminal records and other information. Homemade specialties include su pane vratau, made of layers of flat crispy carasau bread soaked in water, tomato sauce, poached eggs and grated Fiore sheep cheese. "Residents are so open and friendly they make you feel at home. They never allow me to pay for anything at the bar and constantly invite us over for lunch and dinner," he adds.
The buyer must be aware of any damages that the previous owner may have caused third parties. In Biccari, Italy, a retired engineer from Germany bought a 150-square-meter house. There are many cheap homes in Italy that are perfect for those looking to relocate to this beautiful country. From old farmhouses to more modern apartments, there is something for everyone. The prices of these homes can vary greatly depending on the location, size, and age of the property, but there are definitely deals to be had. For those looking for a real bargain, it is even possible to find homes for sale for less than 50,000 euros.

Visitors flock here because it is located on the Adriatic coast and is close to the Tremiti Islands, a popular tourist destination. Lard-stuffed sausages, cold cuts, and cotenna (furnace-stuffed pork rind) are a few of the local favorites. A caciocavallo, or cheese with a rope tied around its neck, is one of the most common foods found in this area. Many of the buyers, lured by dreams of picturesque Mediterranean living, may be surprised at the true cost of a one euro home.
In the past 50 years, Ollolai’s population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,300, with very few babies being born each year. Only time will tell if the mayor's gamble has paid off, but locals are excited and interest in the town is growing. Vito Casula, a retired builder, was the first to snap up a two-story house for less than the cost of a cappuccino. He transformed his new home using environmentally friendly materials, but kept the original decor, recycling old furniture. The town's mayor has put 200 homes on the market for just one euro. Once buzzing, its maze of alleys and mural-covered piazzas are now silent, as younger residents have been lured away to bigger cities.