10 countries that will actually pay you to move there
Imagine getting paid to start a new life somewhere beautiful. No, it's not a scam — it's happening right now, in some of the most stunning places on earth.
From mediaeval Italian villages offering €28,000 in cash to remote Irish islands handing out grants worth €84,000, governments around the world are literally competing for new residents. The reason? Population decline, brain drain, and emptying rural towns are forcing countries to get creative — and financially generous.
Whether you're a remote worker, an entrepreneur, a retiree, or someone simply ready for a fresh start, this is your complete guide to the 10 countries that will pay you to move there in 2026.
Why Are Countries Paying People to Move There?
Before we dive into the list, it's worth understanding why this is happening. Across Europe and beyond, rural areas are quietly disappearing. Young people leave for cities, schools close, businesses shut down, and entire communities slowly fade away.
The solution? Financial incentives. Governments have realised that offering cash grants, tax breaks, and housing subsidies is far cheaper than watching entire regions die. For globally minded people ready to relocate, that means a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Here are the 10 best countries taking advantage of this strategy right now.
1. Italy — Up to €100,000 to Renovate a Home.
Italy is, without question, the world leader in relocation incentives — and it keeps getting better.
The most generous offer right now comes from Trentino, in the Italian Dolomites, where the provincial government is offering up to €100,000 (approximately $107,500) to buy and renovate a home in one of 33 selected mountain villages. That breaks down into up to €80,000 for renovation work and up to €20,000 toward the property purchase itself, with no repayment required as long as you fulfil the conditions.
But that's just one programme. Across the country, other regions are running their own incentives:
Calabria offers up to €28,000 to individuals under 40 willing to move to villages with fewer than 2,000 residents and either start a local business or fill an in-demand role.
Sardinia offers up to €15,000 for anyone who settles in a municipality with fewer than 3,000 residents.
Sicily has famously sold homes for as little as €1 — yes, one euro — with renovation requirements attached.
Who it's ideal for: Remote workers, retirees, families, and renovation enthusiasts who dream of la dolce vita in the Italian countryside.
2. Ireland — Up to €84,000 for Island Living
Ireland's Our Living Islands programme is one of the boldest relocation incentives in the world. Launched in 2023 to repopulate its 30 remote offshore islands, the scheme offers incoming residents up to €84,000 (around $92,000) in renovation grants to restore and inhabit a home on one of these breathtaking Atlantic islands.
These are real communities connected to the Irish mainland, rich in culture and natural beauty but facing serious population decline. The grants are designed to bring life back to them.
This programme is primarily aimed at Irish residents or those who can establish residency, so international applicants will need to check visa pathways. But for those who qualify, the combination of funding, scenery, and community spirit is hard to beat.
Who it's ideal for: People seeking a quiet, scenic life close to nature, with a strong sense of community and Irish culture.
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3. Switzerland — Up to $25,000 per adult in Albinen.
Switzerland paying you to live there sounds almost too good to be true — but the village of Albinen, in the canton of Valais, has been doing exactly that.
The programme offers $25,000 per adult and approximately $11,000 per child to families willing to settle in the village long-term. The catch? You must stay for at least 10 years, and you need a Swiss C permit (permanent residency) to qualify — which typically takes years of living in Switzerland to obtain.
It's not a quick-win programme, but for those already on the path to Swiss residency, the combination of mountain air, world-class public services, and a cash incentive makes it exceptionally compelling.
Who it's ideal for: Long-term planners already pursuing Swiss residency who want to settle in a stunning Alpine community.
4. Greece — €500 Per Month on a Remote Island.
Greece is offering a monthly stipend to families willing to move to Antikythera, a tiny island in the Aegean Sea between Crete and the Peloponnese. With fewer than 50 year-round residents, the island faces existential depopulation.
The Greek Orthodox Church of Kythera is offering selected families a free home, a plot of land, and €500 per month for at least three years. That's roughly $18,000–$20,000 in total support, plus housing.
The selection process is competitive and highly specific — priority is given to families with at least four children and practical skills like farming, fishing, baking, or construction. Only five families will ultimately be chosen.
Beyond Antikythera, Greece's national government is also offering broader tax incentives: a 50% income tax reduction for seven years for professionals who relocate and work in Greece, and a flat 7% tax rate for foreign pensioners.
Who it's ideal for: Large families with practical skills seeking an off-grid Mediterranean lifestyle, or professionals and retirees attracted by significant tax savings.
5. Japan — Up to ¥4,800,000 for Rural Relocation
Japan is facing a demographic crisis. In 2025, roughly 670,000 babies were born – the lowest number since records began in the late 1800s and a fraction of the two million annual births recorded in the 1970s. The result is a country with thousands of emptying rural towns desperately in need of new residents.
The government's Regional Revitalisation Programme is one of the most substantial relocation incentives anywhere in the world, offering expats up to ¥4,800,000 (approximately $30,364) in funding and support to relocate to designated rural areas.
Additionally, rural prefectures offer relocation bonuses of up to ¥1,000,000 (around $6,500) per person, with extra funding of ¥3,000,000–¥5,000,000 available for families or those willing to start a local business.
Who it's ideal for: Families, remote workers, and entrepreneurs drawn to Japanese culture, safety, and the charm of rural living.
6. Spain — €3,000 to €16,000 for Rural Settlement
Spain has been quietly fighting its own depopulation crisis, and a growing number of regions are offering direct financial payments to newcomers willing to settle in rural villages.
Ponga (Asturias) pays up to €2,000 for singles and €3,000 for families with children — plus additional bonuses for each child born during residency.
Extremadura announced a programme paying 200 people $16,000 each to relocate to the region.
Across Spain, digital nomads are being actively courted through a dedicated digital nomad visa, launched in 2024, with grants and tax incentives attached.
Spain's incentives tend to be smaller than Italy's, but the lifestyle trade-off — Mediterranean climate, world-class food, and vibrant culture — makes up a significant part of the package.
Who it's ideal for: Remote workers, young families, and digital nomads who want an affordable European base with strong cultural appeal.
7. Chile — Up to $80,000 for Entrepreneurs
South America's most forward-thinking relocation programme, Start-Up Chile, is explicitly designed for entrepreneurs and innovators. The government offers equity-free grants ranging from $15,000 to $80,000, depending on the stage of your business, plus a fast-tracked two-year Startup Visa.
The programme operates across three tiers — Build (early-stage ideas), Ignite (validation), and Growth (scaling) — and backs approximately 100 startups per year. Alongside the funding, accepted entrepreneurs gain access to mentorship networks, co-working spaces, and a growing ecosystem of global innovators in Santiago.
While the programme is fundamentally a business grant rather than a pure relocation incentive, the visa pathway and comprehensive support make Chile one of the most attractive destinations for entrepreneurial professionals.
Who it's ideal for: Tech founders, startup entrepreneurs, and innovative professionals looking to build a business in a dynamic, emerging market.
8. Canada — Tax Credits, Grants, and Permanent Residency Pathways
Canada's approach to paying people to move there is more systemic than a single headline-grabbing grant, but the long-term financial benefits are substantial.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot helps skilled workers relocate to smaller communities with local employment support and housing assistance. The startup visa programme goes further, offering entrepreneurs permanent residency alongside access to government-funded incubators and venture capital networks.
In certain provinces, targeted initiatives add extra value: Saskatchewan's Graduate Retention Programme, for example, offers significant tax credits to recent graduates who live and work in the province. The province of British Columbia and several others also offer incentives aimed at healthcare workers, teachers, and skilled tradespeople.
Who it's ideal for: Skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and graduates seeking permanent residency in a stable, high-quality-of-life country.
9. Portugal — Tax Incentives for Professionals and Remote Workers
Portugal may have phased out its famous Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax programme, but it has replaced it with the IFICI scheme – often described as NHR 2.0 – which continues to offer meaningful tax advantages to qualifying professionals, researchers, and innovators who relocate to Portugal.
The government's Emprego Interior MAIS programme also offers up to €5,000 ($5,400) for remote workers and freelancers willing to move to less-populated inland areas — with the added bonus of Portugal's genuinely affordable cost of living, stunning coastlines, and warm climate.
Portugal remains one of the easiest countries in Europe to establish residency, and its combination of lifestyle, language accessibility, and financial incentives keeps it firmly on the list.
Who it's ideal for: Remote workers, freelancers, researchers, and professionals in qualified fields who want an EU base with a high quality of life.
10. Denmark — Startup Grants for Entrepreneurs
Denmark rounds out the list with Start-Up Denmark, a government programme welcoming international entrepreneurs to launch businesses in high-growth sectors including cleantech, design, technology, and life sciences.
Successful applicants receive a Danish residence permit tied to their business, access to the country's excellent infrastructure, and entry into one of Europe's most supportive startup ecosystems. Denmark consistently ranks among the world's best countries for quality of life, gender equality, and work-life balance — making the relocation itself part of the reward.
Who it's ideal for: Entrepreneurs and innovators in tech, sustainability, and design who want to build a business within a thriving European economy.
Edem Kwame
Edem Kwame is a journalist at GH News Media covering lifestyle and national developments in Ghana.
