Anyone searching online for houses in Galicia will come across them sooner or later: old stone houses at prices that seem almost impossible. Sometimes €15,000, sometimes €20,000. To many people, that sounds like a dream. A house in Spain for less than the price of a car, surrounded by nature and far away from the hustle and bustle.

But how realistic is that really?

The short answer is: yes, such houses really do exist. There are many old houses standing empty, particularly in the inland areas of Galicia. In villages in Lugo and Ourense, young people have been leaving for the cities or abroad for years. What remains are abandoned family homes, old farmhouses and small villages with dwindling populations.

As a result, houses regularly come onto the market at strikingly low prices.

Yet there is a big difference between buying a cheap house and having a home where you can live comfortably.

For €20,000, you usually won’t find a move-in ready property. Often these are old granite houses that have stood empty for years. Roofs are poorly maintained, damp is a common problem and modern amenities are frequently lacking. Some houses have no proper heating, outdated electrical systems or hardly any insulation. In other properties, virtually everything needs to be renovated.

That doesn’t mean these houses have no potential. On the contrary. It is precisely their authenticity that attracts many people. The thick stone walls, wooden beams, old wine cellars and views over green valleys give many houses a character that you hardly find in modern homes anymore.

But the purchase price is usually just the beginning of the story.

Renovations can be very costly, especially in Galicia where the damp climate takes its toll on old buildings. A new roof, structural repairs, new pipework, windows, plumbing and planning permission often mean that a cheap house ultimately becomes a much bigger project than people initially expect.

That is also why expert advice is incredibly important.

Anyone looking to buy a house in Galicia would be wise not to focus solely on its charm or low price. Legal and technical guidance is almost always essential. Some houses have complicated ownership situations, lack official registrations or have hidden issues that you, as a foreign buyer, might not immediately spot.

Moreover, in rural areas, things do not always work in the way people from Northern Europe are used to. Procedures can take longer and information is not always easy to find. A good local solicitor and a reliable building surveyor can therefore prevent many problems and provide a more realistic picture of what a project will actually cost.

Yet many people remain drawn to these properties. That is understandable. Galicia offers something that has become increasingly hard to find in many parts of Europe: peace, space and authenticity.

Many buyers are not looking for a perfectly finished house with a swimming pool and a designer kitchen. They are seeking a different pace of life. Less hustle and bustle, more nature and the opportunity to build something in their own way.

Furthermore, Galicia has an atmosphere that feels different from many other parts of Spain. The landscape is greener, the villages quieter, and life often seems less hurried. For people who love nature, tranquillity and simplicity, the region holds enormous appeal.

What is also special is that the most beautiful houses are by no means always listed online. Sometimes there is just a small ‘Se Vende’ sign on a façade. Other houses are sold through family, neighbours or local contacts. As a result, house hunting in Galicia often feels less commercial and more personal than in popular coastal areas.

Of course, it’s not for everyone. Renovating an old house takes time, patience and often a bigger budget than initially thought. But for people looking for a quieter life and willing to look past the flaws, it can be a special adventure.

So… can you really buy a house for €20,000 in Galicia?

Yes.

But you probably won’t be buying a finished dream home. You’ll be buying an old house with history, a project that needs work and perhaps a completely different way of life.

And perhaps that is ultimately exactly why so many people are drawn to Galicia. Not because everything here is cheap, but because you can still find places here where life feels simpler, quieter and more authentic.