Sicilian town Naro offers houses for €1 — foreigners can apply
Selected neglected houses in Naro’s historic centre are being offered for a symbolic €1; buyers must finance renovation and follow municipal rules.
A tiny medieval town in southwest Sicily has reopened an old incentive: selected derelict houses in its historic centre are being offered with a symbolic asking price of €1 to attract new owners, including buyers from abroad. The initiative is meant to revive empty buildings and bring people back to the streets of Naro, a hilltop town in the province of Agrigento.
Naro sits on a rise that commands views over the surrounding Sicilian landscape toward the sea. The town is noted for a mix of medieval and Baroque architecture; its skyline is dominated by Chiaramontano Castle, a fortress built at the highest point that remains one of Naro’s most recognisable landmarks.
Local authorities launched the “House for one euro” programme to find new custodians for abandoned and run-down properties in the old town. Italian citizens and interested foreign buyers may apply: non‑Italian purchasers must meet the programme’s conditions and follow the official application, selection and purchase procedures established by the municipality.
Prospective buyers should not expect a move‑in ready home for the token price. Most properties offered under the scheme are empty and in poor condition, requiring substantial reconstruction. The largest expenses come after purchase: buyers are responsible for financing renovations and covering the usual purchase-related charges, including notary, registration and cadastral fees.
Renovations must comply with local planning and safety regulations and be completed within the deadlines set by the programme, so total investment often exceeds the initial €1 price by a wide margin. The town expects that restored buildings will be reused for housing or other lawful purposes permitted under the project rules.
The municipality also allows owners of unused properties to register them for inclusion, and potential buyers can locate available houses and submit offers through a designated online platform. Officials say the scheme aims to halt the decay of the historic centre, encourage investment and help counter the long-term population decline that has left many small Italian towns with empty homes.
Photo: Pexels
