Catanzaro – In early November, the Calabria region opened applications for the first 50 homes in its Ripopola Calabria pilot programme. The homes are spread across 26 municipalities. Successful applicants can live there rent-free for ten years after renovation and must use the home as their permanent residence during that time. Applications are open until 18 December 2026 at 17 hours possible.
The programme aims to slow migration away from small towns. To that end, municipalities with fewer than 5.000 residents reported vacant buildings. The region is covering renovation costs from the 2021–2027 Development and Cohesion Plan.
What does ten years rent-free mean?
The homes remain the property of the municipalities. They allow the new residents to use them free of charge for ten years. In Italy, this agreement is called comodato d’uso gratuito— Residents pay for furniture, ongoing utility bills and ordinary maintenance. Subletting and use as holiday accommodation are prohibited.
After the ten years, the region and municipality may consider an extension or a purchase at a reduced price. The call for applications does not give residents a right to either option.
Who can apply for Ripopola Calabria?
Adults who have lived outside Calabria for at least three years and have not previously received public subsidies to buy a home may apply. Eligible applicants include EU citizens with a digital identity recognised by the European eIDAS system. For nationals of non-EU countries, the call requires a residence permit allowing them to reside in Italy.
A committee draws up a separate ranking for each home. Extra points are awarded, among others, to families with children, young couples, people with disabilities, Calabrian emigrants returning to the region, and employees who can demonstrate that they are able to work from home.
How does the application process work?
Applicants can select up to three homes in the online catalogue and list them in order of preference. For registration, the portal accepts the Italian digital identity SPID, the Italian electronic identity card CIE or a recognised European digital identity. The listings include photos, floor plans and visualisations showing how the rooms could look after renovation.
The catalogue includes a 52-square-metre home in the old town of Alessandria del Carretto in the province of Cosenza. In San Floro near Catanzaro, a 140-square-metre home on Piazza Roma is listed. Caccuri, Cessaniti and Grotteria are also among the participating municipalities.
When can the new residents move in?
Keys will be handed over after the work and required inspections are completed. Once the rankings are final and the region and municipality have signed their agreement, the programme allows up to 18 months for renovation. The municipalities are expected to help new residents with administrative procedures and settling into town.
Background What Italy's regions offer newcomers to mountain villages
Video on the launch of Ripopola Calabria
Sources and Further Information
- Calabria region – announcement of the programme launch (accessed November 2026)
- Calabria region – application deadline and procedure (accessed November 2026)
- Calabria region – housing catalogue with photos and floor plans (accessed November 2026)
- Calabria region – list of participating municipalities (accessed November 2026)
- Calabria region – call for applications, contract template and application guide (accessed November 2026)
