While tourists are storming the Sardinian coast, the island’s inland villages are struggling with depopulation.
Sardinia / © pexels.com
The Italian island of Sardinia is offering non-repayable grants of up to €15,000 for those who dare to move to its declining villages. The program is designed not only for local residents but also for foreigners planning to tie their lives to the region.
This is reported by Meglepetes.
For most tourists, Sardinia is associated with clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and carefree summer holidays. However, this Italian island has another, much less known, side. Many small towns and villages located in the interior of the island have been experiencing a declining population for years. To halt this trend, the regional authorities have introduced a support program for those willing to purchase or renovate their first home in such communities.
According to official information from the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, the program will continue until 2026. Furthermore, its updated conditions now apply to settlements with a population of up to 5,000 people.
Thus, the regional government aims to support life in small communities that have been losing residents due to migration in recent decades. The maximum grant amount reaches €15,000, which can be significant financial assistance for those planning to settle in Sardinia.
Moving to Sardinia — Program Details
The program is open not only to residents of Sardinia or other Italian regions. The official announcement from the regional authorities for 2026 states that individuals moving to small Sardinian settlements from other regions of the country or from abroad may receive additional benefits during application assessment.
However, this does not mean automatic funding. Assistance is provided based on competitive selection conducted by municipalities. One of the mandatory conditions is official registration of residency in the chosen settlement and living there for a specified period.
It is important to understand that payments are not made solely for the act of moving. Funds can be used to purchase, renovate, or reconstruct a first home. According to current regulations, the grant covers up to 50% of the costs, but its maximum amount does not exceed €15,000.
Therefore, individuals genuinely planning to settle in one of the small Sardinian towns, purchasing property there or undertaking its reconstruction, can apply for non-repayable financial assistance. If the house is located near the coast, it will also be quite close to the island’s famous beaches.
Grant Eligibility Conditions
Along with the grant, applicants must meet a number of conditions. The property must be the applicant’s primary residence and that of their family, or become so after moving.
Furthermore, after the final receipt of funds, changing residency or leaving the purchased or renovated property is prohibited for the next five years.
Who is the Program For?
Primarily, it is intended for those seeking not seasonal holiday homes, but are ready to move to a small settlement and live there permanently.
The Sardinian authorities’ announcement emphasizes that the updated rules are designed to counteract the decline of small towns and villages. €15 million will be allocated annually from 2026 to 2028 for the first-home support program.
According to La Nuova Sardegna, additional advantages may be considered during application review:
-
Relocation from another Italian region or from abroad;
-
Formation of a new family;
-
Having children;
-
Young age of the applicant, especially if they are under 40.
As the newspaper notes, the main goal of the program is to attract new residents to small communities and slow down the depopulation process.
Which Sardinian Settlements Participate in the Program?
The program does not apply to a single city or village. It extends to all Sardinian settlements that meet the established population criteria.
While previously only communities with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants could receive support, from 2026, towns and villages with up to 5,000 residents have also been included in the program. This opens up more opportunities, as the real Sardinia is not just about popular seaside resorts. The central, hilly, and mountainous areas of the island have many small towns with more affordable real estate that are in urgent need of new residents.
What Should Interested Individuals Do?
Those interested in utilizing the program need to do more than just review information online. According to official clarifications from the regional authorities, funding is provided by Sardinia, but the competitions are organized by individual municipalities. Local authorities determine the specific participation conditions and, if necessary, establish additional selection criteria.
Therefore, the rules may vary depending on the community. Specifically, application deadlines, the list of required documents, the candidate evaluation process, and local priorities may differ.
The official website of the region states that municipalities publish information about the opening of competitions on their own web resources and information boards.
What is Life Like in Sardinia?
Permanent life on the island differs significantly from a short tourist trip. Small towns have a leisurely pace, and locals know each other well. Daily life here is closely linked to nature, family farms, traditional cuisine, ancient stone architecture, and a tranquil atmosphere.
For those dreaming of a continuous resort lifestyle, this format might seem too quiet. At the same time, for people seeking a genuine Mediterranean way of life, this very characteristic often becomes the greatest advantage.
What to Know Before Moving to Sardinia?
Potential program participants are advised to carefully review the current conditions of the specific municipality they plan to move to. Requirements for candidates, document submission deadlines, and the scope of available funding may vary depending on the community.
The primary source of information should be the official website of the Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, which publishes details of the depopulation program and the rules for providing grants for housing purchase and renovation.
Sardinian Settlements Eligible for Grants Up to €15,000
Pattada
Pattada is located in the northern part of inland Sardinia, in the Logudoro/Monteacuto region, approximately between the cities of Sassari and Nuoro. It is a mountain town far from the coast. It is known for its cooler climate, granite architecture, narrow streets, and centuries-old craft traditions.
The Sardinian tourist portal mentions the famous Pattada knives, historic stone quarters, the 16th-century parish church of Santa Sabina, and the Church of Rosario among its main attractions.
The town has cafes, craft shops, local businesses, and central squares, so it cannot be called an isolated village without infrastructure – it is a small settlement with a comfortable daily life.
Buggerru
Buggerru is located in southwestern Sardinia, in the Sulcis-Iglesiente region. For those dreaming of living near the sea, this option is one of the most attractive.
Once a mining village, it has now become a small tourist town with about a thousand inhabitants. Houses are situated in a valley leading to the coast, with the Church of San Giovanni Battista being the central landmark.
There are hotels, restaurants, shops, a small port, preserved mining heritage sites, and the Galleria Henry museum route. As a result, the settlement remains active not only during the tourist season.
Ales
Ales is located in the central-western part of the island, in the Marmilla region of the province of Oristano. Its main characteristic is its rich historical and religious heritage, rather than its proximity to the sea. The most famous landmark is considered to be the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, which towers over the central square.
However, the article’s authors note that they could not find reliable information about local retail infrastructure, so it is possible that residents may have to travel to neighboring settlements for everyday shopping.
Ruinas
Ruinas is located in the Marmilla region, less than 40 km from Oristano. It is a small rural settlement with fewer than 700 inhabitants. It is distinguished by its red stone houses, ancient portals, and narrow winding streets.
Among the local attractions, the tourist portal mentions the parish church of San Giorgio Martire and the Byzantine church of San Teodoro, located a few kilometers from the village.
However, there is almost no information about shops or other retail infrastructure here.
Simaxis
Simaxis is located near Oristano on the fertile plain of the lower Tirso River. Its geographical location is considered more convenient compared to many remote mountain settlements.
The surroundings are known for rice fields, olive groves, irrigated lands, and traditional village festivals. The center of community life remains the main square, cafes, and the parish church of San Simaco Papa.
Tripadvisor mentions a local shop, although information about its opening hours is not available. The very mention of it on a tourist resource indicates that visitors also come here during the summer season.
We remind you that the Italian mountain village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, with only 115 residents, offers up to €44,000 in aid, subsidized housing rent, and grants of up to €20,000 for business for those who move there permanently.
Comments Sort: New Old Popular Submit
Source: tsn.ua