- A small town in Italy is offering homes for 1 euro to attract Americans amid the recent election cycle.
- Ollolai’s initiative is part of Italy’s broader “Case a 1 euro” program started in the 2010s.
- There is also an option for digital nomads to work there for a month for only 1 euro.
In the lead-up to an administration change, you might hear someone say they’re leaving the country for good. A small comune on the island of Sardinia in Italy is listening.
Ollolai, a town of 1,154 people, according to the Italian National Institute of Statistics, created a website geared toward helping Americans find homes in its town for just 1 euro (or about $1.05), taking advantage of the latest election cycle.
“Are you worned out by global politics,” the new website reads. “Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities? It’s time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.”
Roughly one dollar for a home in a picturesque town in the middle of an Italian island — about 50 miles from the beach — might sound too good to be true. The homes offered aren’t in the best condition and would require about $25,000 in renovations which must be completed within three years, according to previous reporting from Business Insider.
But if you’re willing to put some effort into your home, Ollolai will welcome you.
“We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all,” Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNN. “We can’t of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card.”
“Of course, we can’t specifically mention the name of one US president who just got elected, but we all know that he’s the one from whom many Americans want to get away from now and leave the country,” Columbo told CNN.
The transition team for President elect-Donald Trump did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
This isn’t a new program — and Ollolai isn’t even the first town to try the approach.
“Case a 1 euro,” which means “houses at 1 euro,” is a program across Italy that launched in the 2010s to revitalize the dwindling populations in more rural towns. Ollolai started offering 1-euro homes in 2018, but other towns, like Sicilian commune Gangi, started giving away vacant houses in 2015.
Americans moving to Europe, and Italy specifically, has been a somewhat common trend. But if you don’t want to commit fully to moving across the ocean, a redirect from the Ollolai website luring potential buyers offers an option for digital nomads.
“Work from Ollolai” is a program that lets “successful professionals” live in the municipality for just 1 euro as long as they “promote an exchange of information” to rural communities through presentations, classes, or projects.
That covers rent and, according to the website, guests can stay for a maximum of one month.
