In Calabria, Italy, 50 homes are being offered for free tenancy for a period of ten years. As part of the ‘Ripopola Calabria’ initiative, local authorities will undertake the renovation of the properties to attract new residents to the region’s small villages.
Who can apply
Participants in the programme must be aged 18 or over. They must have lived outside Calabria for at least three years and be prepared to move there permanently. Those who have previously received state assistance to purchase property will not be eligible to apply.
During the selection process, priority will be given to young couples, families with children, remote workers, the self-employed, cultural professionals and people with disabilities. The programme is also open to Calabrians who wish to return to their homeland.
Accommodation requirements
Applicants may list up to three properties on their application, ranking them in order of preference. Applications are being accepted on the programme’s official portal until 18 December 2026, 17:00. To register, you will need a SPID digital ID, an electronic identity card or the eIDAS system.
The properties do not become the participants’ property: accommodation is provided free of charge for ten years, provided that the participant resides there permanently and is registered at that address. It is prohibited to use the property for a tourism business or to sublet it.
Renovation and occupation
Up to €2,000 per square metre is allocated for the renovation of each house, but the total funding will not exceed €280,000. The programme does not cover the purchase of furniture — participants will have to furnish their homes themselves.
Once the winners have been announced and the agreements finalised, the local authorities must complete the renovation work within 18 months. The new residents will then be handed the keys to their refurbished homes.
The original version of this article first appeared on Glob-News.com.