Several countries are offering financial incentives, grants, or even free housing to attract new residents
With the rise of remote working and many people happy to move for a change in lifestyle, many countries globally are going the extra mile to attract new residents. Certain nations will give you cash incentives, free accommodation, or generous bonuses, to help increase their populations.
Whether you have always dreamt of breathing in the fresh Alpine air in Switzerland, basking in the sun on a Greek island, or settling down in a tranquil Spanish village, the incentives on offer are quite generous. Let’s take a closer look at seven countries actively encouraging people to relocate, and the benefits they’re offering to those who do, reports the Express.
Switzerland – Over £26,000 per family to settle in a picturesque Alpine village
Switzerland is renowned for its exceptional quality of life, and one village is prepared to pay generously to attract new residents. The village of Albinen, situated in the canton of Valais, introduced an incentive scheme in 2017 to combat a dwindling population.
The scheme offers CHF 25,000 (approximately £23,000) per adult and CHF 10,000 (around £9,300) per child. For a family of two adults and one child, that totals almost £65,000.
There are stipulations: applicants must be under 45, commit to living in Albinen for at least a decade, and purchase or build a property worth at least CHF 200,000 (£186,000). Those who lave before the ten-year mark must return the funds.
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Ireland – Up to €84,000 (£73,000) to rejuvenate island communities
Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” initiative is one of Europe’s most ambitious relocation schemes. Running until 2033, the programme aims to boost populations on remote islands off Ireland’s coast by offering grants to assist newcomers in purchasing and renovating vacant or derelict homes.
Applicants can receive up to €84,000 (£73,000) , depending on the extent of refurbishment required. Properties must have been empty for at least two years and built prior to 1993.
Once renovated, they must be used as a primary residence or as a long-term rental property – short-term holiday lets don’t qualify. The initiative is open to both Irish citizens and international applicants.
The grant is administered by local county councils and aims to stimulate population growth, support local economies, and secure a sustainable future for these historic communities. For remote workers and digital nomads, it’s an attractive way to relocate to a tranquil location while benefiting from substantial financial assistance.
Greece – A free house and €500 (£435) a month on the remote island of Antikythera
For those who enjoy Mediterranean tranquillity, the Greek island of Antikythera offers an extraordinary relocation package. The local authorities, supported by the Greek Orthodox Church, are offering a free house, a plot of land, and a monthly stipend of €500 (£435) for the first three years to new families willing to settle there.
The scheme is targeted at young families and skilled workers, such as builders, bakers or tradespeople, who can contribute to island life. Mayor Efstaratios Charcalakis previously explained the aim is to bring back the sound of children to the island’s streets.
However, life on Antikythera is not for everyone. The island is small and remote, with limited amenities, and many properties need significant renovation.
Those who relocate are expected to embrace a quieter way of life and commit to the long-term revitalisation of the community. For the right person, though, it’s a rare chance to build a future on a peaceful Aegean island.
Spain – Cash grants and monthly stipends to attract digital nomads and families
Spain is actively seeking new residents to reverse rural depopulation, especially in villages that have seen their numbers dwindle in recent decades. Several regional programmes offer financial incentives to digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and families.
In Extremadura, remote workers are being enticed with grants of up to €15,000 (£13,000) if they pledge to reside there for a minimum of two years. Ponga, a quaint town in northwest Spain, is offering around €3,000 (£2,600) to lure new residents, with an additional grant thrown in for each baby born within its borders.
Meanwhile, the village of Rubia in Galicia is handing out €150 (£130) a month to families to help bolster local school numbers. Alongside these enticing local schemes, Spain’s digital nomad visa offers reduced corporate tax rates for fledgling companies and a pathway to residency for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
Japan – Up to ¥4.8 million (£24,000) to move to the countryside
Japan has been championing relocation from bustling Tokyo to tranquil rural areas for years, but the incentives have recently ramped up amid record-low birth rates. In 2023, a mere 758,631 babies were born – a 5.1% drop compared to 2022 – sparking renewed efforts to breathe life into rural towns.
Families can now pocket 1 million yen (around £5,000) per child to relocate from Tokyo, with extra financial support on offer for starting a business or working locally. In some instances, total relocation support can be worth ¥4.8 million (£24,000).
The goal is to alleviate pressure on the capital city and inject energy and entrepreneurship into struggling communities. Families must commit to living in their new area for at least five years, and at least one adult must work or run a business locally.
