House for 1 euro in Spain and other ways to buy real estate cheaper

1 Euro House Review
4 min readApr 14, 2024

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It seems incredible, but Spain does strange things to my acquaintances. They just disappear on the road.

To give you some context, I track various programs for purchasing inexpensive real estate in different countries. And, of course, I couldn’t ignore a story like the 1-Euro House in Spain. The beauty of these places speaks for itself, and the long coastline that practically surrounds the country seems like a very suitable place for me. After studying different regions (which I will discuss later), I realized that a 1-Euro house near the sea or other affordable real estate is quite realistic.

The only problem is that I have a lot of work. And although I have a trip to Spain planned in the near future to find that very abandoned house with a good view and garden, I still need to tell you the story that happened with my new acquaintances.

You know, when you research a topic and write about it, sooner or later people start to appear who want to get more information and share their findings.

That’s what happened this time — a young man (about 30 years old) wrote to me and said he was fascinated by the opportunity to buy an inexpensive house and restore it with his girlfriend.

He graduated from an architecture institute and believed he could save a lot on materials and labor, as well as apply unconventional design solutions that would combine cultural layers with modern innovations.

He studied the Spanish construction materials market, found local suppliers who could offer significant discounts, and even asked me if I had come across specific Spanish houses with specific layouts because he had a project and an approximate estimate for such houses.

Sounds convincing, doesn’t it?

Searching for a 1-Euro House in Spain, 2024

About a month ago, this trip finally took place. They flew to Madrid from the USA and, as befits a young tourist couple, went to explore the city, its architecture, restaurants, and other delights of life.

That’s normal. Yes, at this stage, I believe everything was going fine. A week passed, and I didn’t bother them because tourism is an integral part of our lives. I knew that before starting their plan, they were supposed to go to Seville for the Feria de Abril (April Fair), which begins two weeks after Easter. This grand event features traditional Andalusian atmosphere.

A few days later, I decided to check on them, and he replied to me in Spanish: “Hay un mundo mejor, pero es carísimo” (A better world exists, but it’s very expensive). At that moment, I realized that their trip had taken a different turn. He went on to talk about flamenco, Spanish wines, and nights full of fun. It was all about the vibrant life and new experiences they were having, not about the 1-Euro house. They wanted a good story, not a new house.

Honestly, at that moment, I thought about the Marshmallow Test.

Maybe you haven’t heard about this test, but it’s quite remarkable. A child is given something very tasty and told: “You can eat this treat now, but if you wait 15 minutes, we’ll bring you another one. We’ll keep bringing you more marshmallows if you decide to wait a bit.”

Do you know that children are very impulsive? 70% of them eat the treat immediately. The remaining 30% can wait for the second and third marshmallow. Who do you think became more successful in life? Who is more likely to enjoy festivals in Spain, and who will enjoy a house by the sea?

You might say it’s unfair to compare three weeks of a wonderful holiday to the renovation of an abandoned house. Of course, it’s unfair! That’s why I say my acquaintances are tempted by Spain. But what would you do?

I want to believe in the success of your venture, so I’ll add some motivation:

Here’s a story about a determined woman who eventually succeeded in buying a 1-Euro house in Italy.

And here’s an interesting read about a young girl who almost accidentally got a house for 1 Pound in the UK:

https://travelsalemi.com/house-for-1-pound-in-the-uk-is-it-true-that-you-can-buy-it/

Two articles, different in mood and content, but both resembling the Marshmallow Test for adults.

1 Euro homes in Spain and Alternative

Wait, wait, wait! Your last sentence almost took us to London! How about good weather, fruits, wine, and beaches? Of course, there’s the 1-Euro House in Spain! Yes, let’s be honest — this isn’t quite the program you’re used to reading about with the 1-Euro house in Italy. It’s more of a series of programs offering various discounts and bonuses if you start using them. Although we’ve heard that some Spanish municipalities (regions) are considering adopting the Italian experience, as of April 2024, we haven’t encountered an active program.

But don’t despair! Spain offers better options. Read about it in our article and remember that property taxes in Spain are lower, and transaction costs are cheaper, so you save on that. Learn how not to spend more and choose an alternative to the 1-Euro house in Spain in our article:

https://travelsalemi.com/house-for-1-euro-in-spain/

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