The Italian region of Calabria has launched the programme Rypola Calabriaı, through which it offers 50 houses and apartments in 26 small municipalities, free of charge for ten years.
In addition to free use of property, the region also covers all renovation expenses.
Property is owned by municipalities and has an area of up to 140 square metres. They will be delivered to the beneficiaries only after the work is finished. The programme has earmarked 20m euros from the Kalabria Development and Cohesion Plan.
They can apply the great ones who haven’t lived in Calabria for the past three years and want to move permanently to one of the participating municipalities.
The beneficiaries must register the residence at the address of the house and keep it for the entire decade. Property cannot be rented, signed, or used for business activities.
The priority in the selection is children’s families, single parents, young couples, remote working people, self-employees, disabled persons, and cultural and creative sector employees.
Residents of Calabria who left at least three years ago may also apply and want to return.
Applications are made only online through official software portals, and Italian or European digital identity is required.
The application deadline is until 18 December, at 5 o’clock. Candidates can select up to three properties, while each provides a special ranking list.
The ten-year contract starts only after the house has been renovated and the beneficiaries surrender. After the end of this period, the region and the municipality may propose continuing the contract or purchasing property at limited cost, but conditions for this phase have not yet been determined.
The initiative aims to fight the depopulation of small areas of Calabria. According to data published on the programme plan, the region lost more than 124 thousand inhabitants between 2011 and 2024, while 324 of its 404 municipalities have fewer than 5 thousand inhabitants.
Authorities estimate that the first 50 houses could bring about 110 new residents.