The €1 house scheme in Italy has gained international attention, recently boosted by the Netflix movie La Dolce Villa. While the film tells the story of an American woman who moves to a picturesque Italian village, it’s important to note that Montezara, the town in the movie, doesn’t actually exist. Instead, it was filmed in San Quirico D’Orcia, a stunning medieval town south of Siena in Tuscany. However, the real-life €1 house initiative is very real and has drawn people from around the world looking to restore abandoned homes and embrace a new lifestyle in Italy’s charming villages. If the idea of transforming an old Italian home into your dream getaway excites you, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is the €1 House Scheme?
The Case a 1 Euro initiative was launched by various Italian municipalities to counteract rural depopulation. Many small towns have been struggling with declining populations as younger generations move to cities, leaving behind abandoned properties. To revive these towns, local governments began offering neglected homes for just €1, hoping to attract new residents and investors willing to restore them.
How It Works
Buying a €1 house is not as simple as handing over a coin. The process generally follows these steps:
- Find a Municipality Offering €1 Homes – Not all towns participate, and availability depends on the municipality, see below.
- Submit an Application – Typically, you need to provide a renovation plan and financial proof that you can restore the home.
- Deposit Requirement – A security deposit (usually between €5,000 and €20,000) is required, refunded upon completion of renovations.
- Renovation Commitment – Buyers must renovate the property within a set timeframe (usually 1-3 years).
- Finalizing Ownership – Once renovations are completed, the home is yours to enjoy or rent out.
What You’ll Actually Need to Pay
While the home costs just €1, the total investment is significantly higher. Costs include:
- Deposit: Between €5,000-€20,000, as seen in La Dolce Villa, where Olivia commits part of her inheritance to the restoration.
- Notary and Administrative Fees: Approximately €3,000-€5,000.
- Property Taxes: Annual costs vary depending on the region and house size but are generally low for historic homes
- Renovation Expenses: Typically €25,000-€100,000+, depending on the home’s condition. In La Dolce Villa, Olivia's villa requires extensive work, similar to many real-life cases.
Challenges of Buying a €1 House
- Hidden Renovation Costs – Many homes require structural work that can be expensive.
- Bureaucracy – Italian paperwork and permit processes can be slow. La Dolce Villa humorously captures this through the character of Bernardo, the local bureaucrat who complicates Olivia’s renovation process with endless paperwork and regulations.
- Limited Infrastructure – Many of these towns are remote with limited job opportunities. In La Dolce Villa, Eric had to create his own job opportunities by offering culinary classes in his villa’s kitchen and expanding his food consultancy business remotely to Italy, highlighting the challenge of finding stable employment in these remote villages.
- Time Commitment – Renovations must often be completed within a few years.
- Residency Is Not Guaranteed – Buying a €1 house does not grant automatic residency in Italy. If you're a non-EU citizen, you'll still need a visa to live there.
Best Places to Buy a €1 House
The best location depends on your goals. Here are some top choices based on different factors:
Best for Scenic Beauty & Tourism Potential
- San Stefano di Sessanio (Abruzzo) – A stunning medieval village with tourism appeal.
- Troina (Sicily) – Breathtaking mountain views and growing international interest.
- Gangi (Sicily) – One of the first towns in the scheme, known for its picturesque setting.
Best for Coastal Living
- Taranto (Puglia) – A historic city with beaches and investment potential.
- Augusta (Sicily) – A coastal town with great maritime connections.
Best for Proximity to Major Cities
- Maenza (Lazio) – Just an hour from Rome, ideal for countryside living while staying connected.
- Cantiano (Marche) – Charming town with easy access to Florence and Bologna.
- Pignone (Liguria) – Close to Cinque Terre and Genoa.
Best for Low-Cost Living & Renovation Feasibility
- Mussomeli (Sicily) – Well-organized program, affordable renovations, and a good expat community.
- Bisaccia (Campania) – Offers additional incentives for restorations.
- Laurenzana (Basilicata) – Quiet but with a strong local push to attract new residents.
Where to Look for €1 Houses
Here are all the towns currently offering €1 homes, though availability changes frequently.
Northern Italy
- Piedmont: Albugnano, Borgomezzavalle, Carrega Ligure
- Valle d'Aosta: Oyace
- Lombardy: Milano
- Liguria: Pignone, Triora
Central Italy
- Tuscany: Fabbriche di Vergemoli, Montieri
- Marche: Cantiano, Monte Urbano
- Lazio: Maenza, Patrica, Santi Cosma e Damiano
- Abruzzo: Casoli, Lecce nei Marsi, Penne, Pratola Peligna, Santo Stefano di Sassanio
Southern Italy
- Molise: Castropignano
- Puglia: Candela, Biccari, Caprarica di Lecce, Taranto
- Basilicata: Laurenzana, Acerenza, Chiaromonte, Ripacandida
- Campania: Altavilla Salentina, Bisaccia, Pietramelara, Teora, Zungoli
- Calabria: Albidona, Belcastro, Bisignano, Cinquefrondi, Maida, Rose
Sardinia
- Bonnanaro, Ollolai, Romana, Montresta, Nulvi
Sicily
- Augusta, Bivona, Calatafimi Segesta, Caltagirone, Cammarata, Canicattì, Castel di Lucio, Castiglione di Sicilia, Corleone, Gangi, Grotte, Itala, Leonfronte, Mussomeli, Palma di Montechiaro, Petralia Soprana, Pettineo, Piazza Armerina, Racalmuto, Regalbuto, Salemi, Sambuca di Sicilia, San Biagio Platani, San Cataldo, San Piero Patti, Saponara, Serradifalco, Termini Imerese, Troina, Valguarnera Caropepe
Final Thoughts
While La Dolce Villa paints a romanticized picture of restoring a historic Italian villa, the reality of the €1 house scheme involves financial investment, patience, and dedication. If you’re up for the challenge, however, it could be your gateway to living la dolce vita in one of Italy’s most charming towns.
