Italy has by far the most €1 home initiatives, extending from southern regions including Campania and Puglia to Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. There are aggregate websites like 1 Euro Houses with details of participating municipalities, while some towns like Mussomeli in Sicily have dedicated listing sites.

The scheme has spread to other parts of Europe too. The home pictured here was one of 18 in the French city of Roubaix listed for €1 (£0.85) in 2018.

In some areas, sales are run as auctions, which can mean €1 homes sell for more than advertised.

Eligibility criteria

The €1 homes are typically released by municipalities in batches, and you need to meet certain criteria to purchase them. Requirements vary between towns, but generally you need to be over the age of 18 and able to prove you have the funds to carry out the necessary renovations within a specific time frame. Many schemes require a deposit as a guarantee, and some might incur ownership taxes or other admin costs.

Some towns and villages require buyers to inspect homes in person before a sale is finalised and even commit to permanently relocating to the municipality. Be aware, buying a house does not automatically give you the right to live in the country.

Legal conditions

Many countries from outside the EU, including the UK, have reciprocal agreements with Italy, meaning citizens can purchase property in Italy without legal residency and vice versa.

However, you need an Italian tax code to buy a home here. For UK citizens who plan to relocate to Italy, tax codes are allocated by local immigration offices or police district headquarters, depending on your type of residence permit. If you're not relocating to Italy, you can nominate a representative to apply for a code for you from the Italian Revenue Agency.

Visa requirements

Purchasing a home doesn't grant you an Italian residency visa if you’re a UK citizen. But many citizens from outside of the EU, including the UK, can stay in Italy for up to 90 days within a 180-day period thanks to the EU's visa-free regime.

However, for some €1 house schemes, you may need to commit to living permanently in the municipality, so a long-term visa may be necessary.

Residency options

There are a few routes for UK citizens looking to permanently relocate to Italy. An elective residency visa is granted to foreigners, such as retirees, who can support themselves financially without working, while an investor visa is available to those who invest a minimum of €250,000 (£210k) into the Italian economy.

Alternatively, a digital nomad visa allows you to live and work remotely in Italy. There are other visa options if you're eligible for a work permit or have family in Italy.

After five years, non-EU citizens can obtain permanent residency if they meet certain income and language requirements.

Is buying a €1 house in Italy actually too good to be true?