The Myth of the "1 Euro House": Is it worth it?

The headlines are everywhere: "Buy a home in Sicily for less than a cup of coffee!" It sounds too good to be true. And usually, it is.

The "1 Euro House" initiative has been great marketing for towns like Salemi or Sambuca. But as architects working on the ground, we see the reality behind the contract.

The Hidden Costs

You are not buying a house; you are buying a debt. These properties are often structurally unsafe (collapsing roofs, no foundations). To buy one, you usually must commit to:

• Pay a deposit (often €5,000) that you lose if you don't renovate in time.
• Renovate within a strict deadline (usually 3 years).
• Spend a minimum amount on renovation (often much higher than the house value).

Restoring ancient stone walls is an art, and skilled labor is not cheap.

The Smart Alternative: The €30k Market

Instead of a crumbling ruin in a depopulated village, we advise international clients to look at the €30,000 - €50,000 market. For this price, you can find historic structures in Trapani, Marsala, or near the coast that have solid walls and a roof, drastically reducing renovation risks and costs.

Location Matters

Most €1 houses are in inland villages far from the sea. If you want an investment that rents well on Airbnb, you need to be near the coast or in a vibrant center like Trapani or Marsala.