- ⏱️ Last update: 09/01/2025
Southern Italy has become a beacon for investors, combining its rich culture, picturesque landscapes, and a growing tourism market. If your company is considering expanding into the Italian real estate sector, now is the time to explore a unique real estate investment opportunity in Southern Italy.
In this article, we will analyze some investment opportunities in Southern Italy that offer non-repayable grants for those looking to invest in the real estate and tourism sectors! Let’s explore them together!
Table of contents
Why invest in Southern Italy?
Investing in Southern Italy’s hospitality sector combines business potential with cultural impact:
- growing demand for quality tourism: southern Italy sees a surge in international tourism, driving demand for modern, sustainable hospitality solutions;
- generous grants and financial incentives: the tender supports businesses in reducing initial investment risks while ensuring high returns;
- strategic location: Calabria offers proximity to major Mediterranean markets and an untouched natural charm that appeals to tourists worldwide.
This real estate tender is tailored to companies ready to tap into the region’s potential by either building new accommodations or revitalizing existing properties.
Call for supporting tourism development in Calabria
This opportunity aims to enhance the attractiveness of the Calabrian tourism system. How? By funding initiatives that elevate the quality standards of the current offerings, with a focus on greater environmental sustainability, even for foreign investors!
Grant details
The tender allocates €50 million to support projects under two categories:
- hotel structures: €40 million earmarked for renovating or constructing hotel facilities with a minimum three-star classification;
- extra-hotel structures: €10 million dedicated to non-hotel accommodations, such as guesthouses or boutique stays, also requiring a minimum three-star rating.
Eligible expenses include:
- Land acquisition: costs related to purchasing land, up to 10% of the total investment.
- Buying real estate, construction and facility installations: includes acquiring properties, building new structures, and installing essential systems, up to 70%.
- Furniture, equipment, and renewable energy systems: procurement of new furnishings, tools, and sustainable energy solutions.
- Licenses, patents, and technical know-how: investments in intellectual property and specialized expertise necessary for the project.
Projects must be completed within 24 months of signing the grant agreement. Investment thresholds range from €250,000 to €10 million for hotels and €50,000 to €250,000 for extra-hotel accommodations.
Who can apply? Here’s what you need to know!
This tender welcomes worldwide companies aiming to invest in Calabria. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- property access: businesses must own or secure rights to the project property before receiving their first grant payment;
- local presence: foreign companies without a base in Calabria must establish a regional operational unit before grant disbursement;
- legal compliance: applicants must provide equivalent certifications aligned with EU or home-country regulations.
Call for supporting tourism enterprises in Sicily
Sicily is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Europe, boasting natural wonders like Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, alongside cultural gems such as Taormina, Syracuse, and the Valley of the Temples. This initiative aims to strengthen the region’s tourism infrastructure, helping businesses improve their services and attract more visitors.
Grant details
The call for proposals offers a total budget of €135 million in non-repayable grants, with funding amounts determined by the value of the request.
For grants ranging from €50,000 to €300,000, an 80% non-repayable contribution is provided. For projects between €300,000 and €3.5 million, the non-repayable contribution is allocated as follows:
- 60% of eligible expenses for micro and small enterprises;
- 50% of eligible expenses for medium-sized enterprises;
- 40% of eligible expenses for large enterprises.
Additionally, the grant can be combined with other public funding at regional, national, or EU levels, offering further support to eligible projects.
Eligible expenses include:
- Expansion, modernization, and renovation of existing structures, as well as reactivating facilities currently not in use.
- Development of new facilitie, including transforming existing buildings (with a change of use) into tourist accommodations such as hotels or alternative lodging.
- Physical and functional restoration of unfinished tourist accommodations or hospitality structures.
Projects must be completed within 24 months of signing the grant agreement. Investment thresholds range from €250,000 to €10 million for hotels and €50,000 to €250,000 for extra-hotel accommodations.
Interested in applying? Here’s what you need to know
This call is open to individuals and companies worldwide, but applicants must establish a company in Italy with one of the business codes (ATECO) specified in the tender. The program also supports newly established companies, making it accessible to startups and investors planning to enter the Sicilian tourism market.
Broader opportunities in Italian real estate
Calabria is just the start. Southern Italy, from Sicily to Puglia, offers similar opportunities for companies looking to invest in the Mediterranean hospitality industry.
By focusing on high-quality, eco-conscious accommodations, your business can align with the region’s push for sustainable tourism while enjoying access to financial incentives tailored for international investors.
These opportunities underline the immense potential of the Italian real estate sector for forward-thinking investors.
Work with JO Consulting for seamless application support
Navigating grant applications in Italy requires expertise, and that’s where JO Consulting excels. Our team has decades of experience assisting European companies in securing grants and managing investment projects in Italy.
Our expertise goes beyond national tenders. Having worked extensively on EU-funded projects like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, we are well-versed in collaborating with international partners, ensuring smooth communication and compliance with both European and Italian regulations.
Why choose JO Consulting?
Partnering with JO Consulting means leveraging our proven expertise to make your investment journey effortless:
- Tailored support to ensure compliance with tender requirements;
- Assistance with documentation, local regulations, and legal procedures;
- Strategic guidance to develop robust, goal-oriented investment plans;
- Dedicated consultants providing step-by-step support throughout the process.
Thinking about investing in Italy? Let’s make it happen!
Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your business in Southern Italy’s thriving real estate and hospitality market. Whether this tender is your focus or you’re scouting future possibilities, JO Consulting is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Contact our expert team for personalized support throughout your application process. We can help you navigate the requirements, ensure compliance, and make your investment journey in Italy smooth and successful.
To get started, call us at +390950936053 or fill out the contact form available below. If you prefer instant messaging, you can reach us on WhatsApp using this link: wa.me/390950936053.
Let’s turn your next big project into reality — right here in Southern Italy!
