Cash Incentives for Relocation: Countries Paying You to Move

Countries Pay Thousands to Attract New Residents—Would You Move?

Countries and towns across the world are offering cash incentives to attract new residents. From remote islands to rural villages, financial support is being used to boost declining populations. Some schemes provide direct payments, while others help with housing or business start-ups.

In Europe, Greece's Antikythera island is paying families €500 per month for three years if they move there. Italy is also encouraging relocation by giving £23,000 to families settling in small Sardinian or Calabrian villages with fewer than 2,000 people.

Switzerland's Albinen town offers a one-off payment of 25,000 Swiss francs (£23,600) per adult and 10,000 Swiss francs (£9,400) per child. To qualify, families must buy a property worth at least 200,000 Swiss francs (£189,000) and commit to living there for a decade. Croatia has taken a different approach by selling abandoned houses in towns like Legrad for as little as 10p. Ireland's *Our Living Islands* policy supports renovations for those moving to remote islands, though it does not provide direct cash payments. Outside Europe, Japan's *Regional Revitalization Migration Support Grant* gives up to ¥1,000,000 (around £5,700) per person or ¥3,000,000 (£17,000) per household for relocating to rural areas. Spain's *Live in Ambroz* programme targets digital nomads, offering up to €15,000 for those who stay in Extremadura for at least two years. Mauritius provides a smaller incentive of 20,000 Mauritian Rupees (£322) for entrepreneurs starting a business there. Chile's *Start-Up Chile* programme supports new businesses with grants ranging from $15,000 to $80,000, along with mentorship. Most countries do not have widespread relocation schemes with public criteria. Programmes like Portugal's Golden Visa require investments of at least €500,000 in property or funds, along with proof of legal income and a clean criminal record. Similar schemes in Greece (from €250,000) and Spain (from €500,000) have comparable rules, though details vary and often change.

These incentives aim to reverse population decline in remote or rural areas. Some offer direct cash, while others focus on cheap housing or business support. Official government sources should be checked for the latest requirements, as conditions frequently update.