Dream house in Sicily
Live rent-free in Italy for a year
The entrance area of the house renovated by architects
© Airbnb
We know 1-euro shops – but what is a 1-euro house? In this case: A chic domicile in a Sicilian village where you can live rent-free for a year and also earn money.
Again and again, houses are offered for one euro in Italian villages – with the condition that they be renovated and maintained. This “1-euro house” in the Sicilian village of Sambuca is not a ruin in need of renovation, but a house that has been completely renovated by an architect’s office.
If you want to live in Sicily and apply successfully, you will have the opportunity to live in this restored house with your partner, friend or family. It’s called a €1 house because it’s a building that the municipality owns and could also have been sold for €1. But with this one has chosen a different path.
Like many villages around the world, Sambuca is suffering from rural exodus. It has many advantages: in 2016 it was voted the most beautiful Italian village, it is also only about 30 minutes by car from the sea and a good hour from Palermo. The campaign is intended to help bring more life back into town, attract younger people and boost tourism. Because the municipality does not have the money to protect the historical substance from decay.
Italian course and flights are paid for
And this is where we come in: Those who successfully apply can live in the three-story house for a year free of charge from June 2022 and become part of the village community. Two adults are allowed to bring up to two children. Particularly appealing: you are supported in integrating into village life – you get a free Italian course and a cooking class, and even the flight and transfer to Sambuca are paid for.
What do you have to do for it? Rent out a room in the house via Airbnb and be the host.
“We are looking for a person who wants to live with the local population and participate in all the important moments of the place, from the grape harvest to the olive harvest. We can’t wait to welcome the chosen one!”, says Leonardo Ciaccio, mayor of Sambuca di Sicilia, Airbnb puts it more soberly: “Candidates should be willing to volunteer as hosts and contribute to village life.”
The conditions:
The new residents…
- … must have moved in by June 30, 2022, the length of stay is initially limited to one year
- … must offer a room on Airbnb and receive guests for at least nine months (substitutions are possible)
- … live rent-free, but have to bear the costs of using the house and running it as tourist accommodation
- … may keep the earnings in accordance with the Airbnb Terms of Service
- … have to take part in an introductory program (Italian and cooking class) in the first month of their stay
- … may return to their country of origin during their stay
- … may go about their work, provided this is done within the framework of the law
- … must be able to converse in English
The house is designed for six people. A maximum of four people are allowed to move in, up to two guests come via Airbnb. On the ground floor there is a living room, a bedroom and a bathroom. On the first floor there is a living room, kitchen, study, bathroom and a mezzanine bedroom. Upstairs is another living room with a sofa bed. The residents choose the bedroom that best suits their needs, and they advertise the second bedroom on Airbnb.
Applying goes down airbnb.de/1eurohouse
Conclusion: Great opportunity for anyone who wants to try life in Italy and is mobile with their job!