The EIB and Intesa Sanpaolo provide €300 million to support social housing and student residences in Italy

• The initiative could trigger total investments estimated at around €600 million
• The funds will be allocated to projects promoted by public and private operators selected by Intesa Sanpaolo
• The aim of the agreement is to help increase the availability of affordable housing and student accommodation throughout Italy
• Support for social infrastructure is one of the EIB's eight strategic investment priorities

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo, through the IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, have signed a €300 million agreement to support the construction of new student residences and affordable housing in Italy.

The initiative will enable the financing of investment programmes promoted by public and private operators for the construction of affordable housing and student accommodation, helping to meet a growing demand for housing, particularly in areas with higher demographic and university pressure.

Gelsomina Vigliotti, Vice-President of the EIB, said: "With this operation, the EIB is reinforcing its commitment to supporting social, affordable and student housing in Italy, helping to increase the supply of affordable housing for the most vulnerable groups and for students, in response to a constantly growing demand that now affects the whole of Europe. Ensuring access to housing means strengthening the social fabric and supporting the country's future."

The operation is part of the EIB Group's strategy to support investments with a high social impact and to promote access to sustainable, high-quality housing solutions. Over the past five years, the EIB Group has allocated more than €18 billion to social and affordable housing in Europe, contributing to the construction of over 84,000 new homes and the refurbishment of 580,000 homes.

For Intesa Sanpaolo, the agreement demonstrates the Group's commitment to supporting initiatives that can generate economic and social value for the country. The 2026-2029 Business Plan confirms this commitment, with the aim of strengthening financial inclusiveness through social lending, through credit to the third sector, financing of affordable housing and essential infrastructure, and credit to vulnerable people.

Mauro Micillo, Chief of Intesa Sanpaolo's IMI CIB Division, commented: "Access to housing and sustainable housing services is a key element in reducing the vulnerabilities that can affect families, young people and students, promoting inclusion, mobility and local development. The agreement with the EIB enables us to expand our support for projects that combine economic sustainability and social value, helping to meet the real needs of people and communities."

The EIB loan may cover up to 50% of the total cost of individual eligible projects, while the remaining portion will be provided through additional sources of funding and the promoters' own resources. Thanks to the agreement, total investments of approximately €600 million will be able to be activated.

Intesa Sanpaolo will act as a financial intermediary, making EIB funds available through specific financing operations aimed at projects that meet the criteria set out in European legislation and by the European Investment Bank itself.

General information

EIB Group  

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by the 27 Member States, and one of the largest multilateral development banks in the world. In 2025, the EIB Group signed €100 billion in new financing and advisory services for over 870 high-impact projects under eight core priorities that support EU policy objectives: climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, territorial cohesion, agriculture and the bioeconomy, social infrastructure, strong global partnerships and the savings and investments union. Beyond long-term loans for large infrastructure, the EIB Group crowds in private investment for high-risk innovative projects and businesses, with a growing role in Europe's markets for venture debt, venture capital, guarantees and securitisations.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) is the subsidiary of the EIB Group specialised in providing guarantees, securitisation and equity to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses and startups across Europe. Acting as an anchor investor, through its extensive network of partnering banks and investment funds, the EIF mobilises private investment and nurtures the ecosystem of venture capital funds to support innovative European entrepreneurs.

Photos of the EIB Group's representatives and headquarters, logo files and video B-roll for media use are available here. 

Intesa Sanpaolo

Intesa Sanpaolo, with more than €1.5 trillion in Customer Financial Assets and a loan book of nearly €440 billion at the end of June 2026, is the largest banking group in Italy, with a significant international presence.
It is a European leader in Wealth Management, and operates an integrated Advisory, Asset Management and Protection platform, built on fully owned product factories and distribution networks working under full strategic control.

Through its International Banks division, Intesa Sanpaolo operates commercial banks in 12 countries across Central and Eastern Europe and Egypt.

Through its IMI Corporate & Investment Banking division, the Group is present in 23 countries where it facilitates the cross-border activities of its customers.

With a world-class position in social impact, Intesa Sanpaolo is also committed to decarbonization and to supporting clients in the sustainable transition.

The Bank's network of museums, the Gallerie d'Italia, hosts its owned artistic heritage and cultural projects of recognized value.

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