Naro, a town located in the province of Agrigento in southwestern Sicily, has launched a one-euro home program. The initiative aims to combat depopulation and promote urban regeneration in the area.
The program offers individuals, commercial companies, foundations, and foreign nationals, including Americans, the opportunity to purchase properties for one euro. These acquired properties can serve various purposes, such as a primary residence, a second home, a guesthouse, or for commercial use.
Buyers are required to commit to renovating the property within a typical three-year timeframe. A refundable deposit, often around €5,000, must be provided to guarantee renovation completion. Estimated renovation costs, representing the primary financial investment beyond the symbolic purchase price, typically range between €15,000 and €30,000. Failure to complete renovations by the stipulated deadline may result in the forfeiture of the deposit or, potentially, the property itself.
To facilitate the process, Naro has introduced a multilingual digital platform, case1euronaro.it, which became operational in July 2026. This platform provides a verified catalog of available properties and is designed to enhance transparency for international applicants. The municipality acts as an intermediary in these transactions, facilitating the transfer of properties from owners to buyers and setting clear conditions, rather than owning the properties itself.
Naro’s initiative is part of a broader urban regeneration trend across Italy. Many municipalities in Sicily have adopted similar one-euro home schemes since the concept’s inception in Gangi in 2008. These programs collectively aim to address the abandonment of historic towns, improve the existing building stock, and stimulate local economies through tourism and the influx of new residents.