What Are the 5 Countries That Will Pay You to Move There (2026)

Moving abroad is usually expensive, but a fascinating global trend has emerged where governments, regions, and even individual towns are literally paying people to move there — not merely inviting you to come, but providing cash, grants, housing incentives, business support, or other financial rewards as long as you commit to relocating, working, or acting as a resident. These relocation incentives are not random giveaways; they are strategic policy tools aimed at combating population decline, revitalizing rural economies, attracting talent, and encouraging entrepreneurship in places that have seen youth out-migration, aging populations, or labor shortages.

The nature of these incentives ranges from direct cash payments to housing subsidies, business grants, and even startup funding, and while some are national programmes, many are local or region-specific schemes tied to demographic or economic goals.

In this guide, we focus on five of the most prominent “countries that will pay you to move there” — examining not only how much money or support you can receive but also what conditions you must meet, whether the offers are open to foreigners, and what lifestyle or residency requirements are usually attached. What qualifies as “being paid to move” varies widely: some programmes offer flat relocation cash, others offer grants contingent on business creation or property renovation, and some even provide ongoing monthly payments to maintain residency in targeted areas. Because these incentives are designed to support broader economic and social goals, they nearly always come with commitments you must fulfill — for example, living in the area for a minimum number of years, buying or renovating a home, working locally, or starting a business.

This article explores the five countries currently best known for paying people to move there — Italy, Chile, Ireland, Spain, and Greece — each representing a distinct model of relocation incentive. We’ll unpack the why, how, who qualifies, the financial details, and what life looks like after moving for each, with links to authoritative sources you can explore for applications, eligibility conditions, and (where available) official government or regional documentation. For people exploring relocation, remote work, or new lifestyle opportunities abroad, these programmes present not just financial benefit but potential pathways to more affordable living, entrepreneurial opportunity, and cultural immersion.

1. Italy — Cash Grants, €1 Homes, and Rural Revitalisation Support

Italy has become one of the most talked-about destinations where you can literally be paid to move and live there, thanks to a suite of relocation incentives launched by multiple regions and small towns grappling with declining populations. These programmes are rooted in Italy’s broader effort to revive rural and historically rich villages that have seen generations move toward larger cities, leaving behind ageing populations, empty houses, and shuttered local services. The essence of many Italian incentives is simple: if you are willing to become a resident, invest in the local community, and contribute economically, the region will help you financially as you settle in.

One of the most widely-reported examples is Calabria’s “Active Residency Income” incentive, which offers newcomers anywhere between €15,000 and €28,000 over a three-year period. To qualify, you typically must be under a certain age (often under 40), relocate full-time to designated small villages, and either take up work locally, start a small business, or work remotely while domiciled in the region. These payments are designed to offset immediate relocation costs, living expenses, and economic uncertainty that newcomers face when leaving more urbanised countries or cities.

Italy’s most iconic relocation offer, though, may well be the infamous “€1 homes” in towns across Sicily, Sardinia, Molise, and other rural areas — sometimes paired with cash grants or renovation support. Under these schemes, local councils sell abandoned or distressed homes for the symbolic price of €1 on the condition that buyers commit to renovating the property within a specified timeframe and reside there permanently. In some towns, the offer is enhanced with extra financial support — for example, cash stipends to help cover renovation costs or relocation expenses — making it truly possible to move to Italy and receive economic support to establish yourself.

A particularly well-documented example is the town of Radicondoli in Tuscany, which has offered up to around €20,000 for home buyers plus additional allowances for everyday expenses for those willing to either buy or rent and reside there for a specified number of years. Although these offers are not without strings — such as long-term residency commitments (often 4 to 10 years) and renovation obligations — they represent a rare real-world instance where an entire community is ready to subsidise newcomers to preserve population and local services.

Taken together, Italy’s approach illustrates a multi-front strategy: direct cash grants to ease financial burdens, symbolic property prices to encourage investment in real estate, and supportive programs for entrepreneurs and remote workers. Because many of these offers are administered by local municipalities rather than national programmes, eligibility criteria and financial details can vary widely across regions, making it essential for prospective movers to check official municipal sources and secure any necessary residency or visa status before relocating.

2. Chile — Entrepreneur Grants and the Start-Up Chile Programme

Chile occupies a unique place on the list because its relocation incentives are not aimed primarily at families moving for lifestyle reasons or rural revitalisation, but rather at entrepreneurs and innovators seeking to launch scalable businesses within a global ecosystem. The cornerstone of Chile’s approach is the internationally recognised Start-Up Chile programme, a government-backed initiative designed to attract foreign entrepreneurs with cash, workspace, mentoring, and a visa pathway to build their companies in Santiago and beyond.

Under Start-Up Chile, qualified applicants can receive up to $80,000 in equity-free funding, access to co-working space and specialised mentorship, and support in securing a startup visa or residence permit. This makes Chile one of the most substantive examples worldwide where a government incentivises relocation by essentially funding your business launch rather than simply subsidising your living costs in a new place. The programme has been especially attractive to fintech, tech, and innovation hubs because it combines financial incentives with access to a vibrant entrepreneurial environment and connections across Latin America and beyond.

Unlike universal relocation grants that anyone can apply for, Chile’s incentives require a business idea that meets certain innovation criteria — often demonstrating scalability, market potential, or technological novelty. Applicants are evaluated based on the strength of their business proposals, team composition, and potential contribution to Chile’s innovation ecosystem, and successful candidates are supported with not only direct funding but also local networks, tax incentives, and mentoring.

One of the most compelling aspects of Chile’s offer is that it recognises the global mobility of entrepreneurial talent — and positions the country as a gateway for startup founders looking to penetrate Latin American markets while enjoying government-sponsored support. Many recipients of Start-Up Chile have gone on to raise additional capital, hire local workers, and integrate into Chile’s wider innovation ecosystem, illustrating that the country’s payment to move there can be an investment in human capital that benefits both the entrepreneur and the host economy.

However, potential applicants should note that cash support in Chile’s model is not an unconditional per-person stipend like some rural relocation grants, but part of a structured programme tied to business performance and commitments. Entrepreneurs considering this option should be prepared for business planning, visa documentation, and compliance requirements that come with establishing a company and attracting investment.

3. Ireland — Grants for Island Restoration and Community Revitalisation

Ireland’s relocation incentives take a slightly different tack: instead of cash for moving anywhere, they focus on reviving isolated island communities and small towns through generous financial support to people who commit to restoring vacant homes and living full-time there. The Irish government’s “Our Living Islands” programme offers potentially life-changing financial aid to individuals and families willing to buy and renovate vacant homes on remote Irish islands — part of a broader effort to preserve culture, heritage, and population in fragile coastal communities.

Under this initiative, eligible applicants can secure up to €84,000 to assist with the purchase and renovation of an otherwise abandoned property. The objective isn’t just to provide a relocation bonus but to restore community life — from ensuring that schools remain open to supporting local businesses and preserving the island’s cultural fabric. This type of incentive represents a hybrid between economic support and heritage conservation: newcomers receive significant financial backing, but in exchange they become integral parts of island life and custodians of local traditions.

The requirements for Ireland’s grants typically include proof of commitment to reside full-time on the island, some demonstration of financial capacity for renovation and upkeep, and a plan for integrating or contributing to the community. Because many remote Irish islands have limited services, applicants should also understand the challenges of island living — things like ferry schedules, weather conditions, and access to healthcare and education can be quite different from urban environments.

What makes Ireland stand out among countries that pay you to move there is the scale of the grant relative to the cost of renovating homes in rural or island areas. In many cases, €84,000 can cover a substantial portion of both the purchase price and renovation cost for properties that might otherwise sit vacant for decades — and the programme offers a real chance to build a life somewhere radically different from major cities.

Because these island initiatives are relatively unique to Ireland, they attract a particular type of relocator: people who value community preservation, cultural immersion, and a deep connection to place rather than simply a financial bonus. Still, for many, the financial support is a decisive factor in making such a move feasible, and it has led to a slow but noticeable resurgence of island populations.

4. Spain — Rural Grants, Digital Nomad Incentives, and Family Support

Spain has rapidly become another headline destination for relocation incentives, especially as local governments and autonomous communities tackle the twin challenges of rural depopulation and urban congestion. Unlike some countries where relocation incentives are national policy, Spain’s programmes tend to be regionally specific — reflecting diverse landscapes from the mountainous north to sun-drenched inland villages — and often combine cash grants, housing offers, and business or child-focused incentives.

One well-publicised example is rural areas like the Ambroz Valley in Extremadura, which targets remote workers, technologists, and digital nomads by offering up to €15,000 in relocation grants if they move there and work remotely for a certain period. The scheme is designed to reverse decades of population loss in these picturesque but underpopulated regions, offering newcomers a financial buffer to ease the transition and support their contributions to the local economy.

Other parts of Spain offer grants of around €3,000 for moving to small rural towns, with additional payments per child to attract young families in particular — an approach that acknowledges both economic and demographic decline in specific regions. These smaller cash incentives aren’t as large as some of the programmes in Italy or Ireland, but they are often easier to obtain and can be combined with housing subsidies or reduced tax rates for newcomers willing to stay long-term.

Spain also has broader national and autonomous community initiatives aimed at digital nomads and remote workers, including the country’s digital nomad visa, which offers tax incentives and residency status to people who can work remotely while living in Spain. While not a direct “cash payment” per se, these visa incentives — coupled with regional relocation grants — effectively reduce the cost of moving and living abroad by offering tax breaks, residency certainty, and subsidies that make Spain an attractive country to relocate to.

What unites these Spanish initiatives is a focus on revitalising rural, underpopulated, or economically stagnant regions by making it financially feasible for newcomers — especially younger residents and remote workers — to settle there. Whether it’s direct relocation grants, monthly support for families, or startup and business incentives, Spain’s model blends cultural appeal with economic pragmatism.

5. Greece — Island Living, Monthly Support, and Business Assistance

Greece has become another noteworthy country where relocation incentives include cash, housing support, and even free accommodation — particularly on small islands seeking to counter significant population declines as young people move to urban centres or abroad. The Greek model often revolves around monthly payments combined with allowances for housing and business support, creating a holistic relocation incentive that supports both settlement and economic participation.

One of the most famous Greek relocation programmes took place on Antikythera, a tiny island between Crete and the Peloponnese, which offered up to €500 per month for three years plus assistance with housing for families willing to move there. The goal is not just financial support but social revitalisation — bringing schools, services, and everyday economic life back to remote communities that have struggled with out-migration for decades.

In addition to monthly cash, some regions in Greece also offer assistance if you start a local business or social enterprise; this can take the form of startup grants, tax incentives, or access to business networks that help newcomers establish services (like guesthouses, agritourism ventures, or remote work hubs) that benefit both themselves and the wider community.

Living on a smaller Greek island or rural mainland community under these programmes often involves real integration into local life, with newcomers quickly becoming part of community networks, shared cultural practices, and the rhythms of island living. While not every Greek relocation incentive is nationally standardised — many are local or island-specific — the trend reflects a broader policy environment in Greece that encourages demographic rebuilding through appealing financial packages.

For many potential relocatees, Greece’s combination of monthly support, housing help, and business assistance can make moving there feel less financially risky than relocating to a big city or competing in more expensive global markets. At the same time, newcomers should be prepared for smaller-scale economies, language adjustments, and cultural differences that accompany island or rural life — all of which are part of the real-world experience that comes with being financially supported to relocate there.

Comparison Tables (Featured Snippet-Ready)

5 Countries That Will Pay You to Move There — Quick Overview

Types of Relocation Incentives Offered

Conclusion: The Realities Behind the Money Offers

The idea of being paid to move to another country might sound too good to be true—in many ways, it is, but only until you understand the commitments involved. These incentives exist not because countries have surplus cash, but because they need people: to revitalize abandoned villages, preserve cultural heritage, support aging communities, invigorate local economies, or attract talent and remote work. In exchange for grants, housing deals, or business support, you often trade residency time, economic participation, and community engagement.

Italy’s cash and property incentives ask you to invest in rural life; Chile’s entrepreneurial grants ask you to bring innovation; Ireland’s island programmes ask you to restore homes and maintain community; Spain’s incentives seek rural and remote worker settlement; and Greece’s supports aim to rebuild island populations. Each reflects a unique socio-economic strategy, and each carries conditions you must satisfy before you receive payments or grants.

Before pursuing any relocation incentive, it’s crucial to read official programme rules, understand visa and residency requirements, and assess lifestyle fit — because moving abroad is not just about the money you receive, but about how you live, work, and contribute in a new place.