According to Relocation, the Italian municipality of Biccari in the Apulia region has extended its affordable housing program into 2026, including homes for a symbolic price of €1. Local authorities have waived mandatory requirements for permanent residency and property renovation, and have expanded the offering to include properties in better condition priced up to €30,000.
According to the Italian publication Idealista, Biccari remains one of the towns in southern Italy using the sale of affordable real estate to combat population decline and restore historic buildings.
The program has been in effect since 2021. Initially, the municipality offered buyers about 20 properties, most of which were in poor condition and required significant investment for renovation.
However, experience from previous years has shown that many foreign buyers are unwilling to organize major renovations remotely due to the complexity of obtaining permits, finding contractors, and overseeing construction work.
As a result, the municipality has compiled an expanded real estate catalog that includes both dilapidated houses priced at €1 and properties more suitable for living, ranging in price from several thousand to €30,000.
According to Mayor Biccari Gianfilippo Mignoni, buyers can independently determine the future use of the property. Specifically, the properties may be used for permanent residence, seasonal vacation use, or rental, provided that relevant local regulations are followed.
An important feature of the program is the absence of a specific municipal requirement to reside permanently in the purchased property or to complete its renovation within a specified timeframe. At the same time, dilapidated buildings cannot be used without carrying out the necessary repairs and complying with building codes.
Foreign buyers are also eligible to participate. To finalize the transaction, buyers must obtain an Italian tax identification number (Codice Fiscale) and comply with the general legal requirements for real estate purchases by foreigners.
However, the symbolic price of the house does not mean there are no additional costs. The buyer must pay for notary fees, registration fees, verification of the property’s legal status, and, if necessary, repairs.
For houses in poor technical condition, renovation can cost €20,000–25,000 or more, depending on the square footage, the condition of the structures, and the scope of work.
According to local authorities, since the program’s launch, the total value of purchase and sale transactions has reached approximately €650,000, while completed, planned, and ongoing renovation work is estimated at an additional €1.3 million.
The program has attracted buyers from other regions of Italy, as well as from Germany, the United States, Argentina, Peru, and Portugal. Some of the new owners view the property as a future place to live after retirement, while others see it as a seasonal residence or a rental property.
Biccari is located in the province of Foggia, approximately 30 km from the city of the same name. The municipality has a population of 2,600. Its economy is based on agriculture, local services, and tourism.
Programs to sell homes for a nominal price have been in place in Italy since 2008. They have become widespread primarily in small towns in Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria, and other regions facing depopulation and an aging housing stock.
At the same time, purchasing real estate in Italy does not in itself grant foreigners the right to long-term residence or automatic issuance of a residence permit.
