If the high cost of living in the United States has become too much, there are a handful of countries that are more than happy to welcome new residents — so much so that they’ll pay people who want to move there.
From a Italian island to a small town in Switzerland, some places are offering a variety of incentives, upwards of $30,000 in some cases, to entice people to give their town a go.
More often than not, transplants won’t be living in the more popular — or populous — parts of a country, as these programs, which are similar to ones employed by cities across the US, are usually intended to boost underpopulated communities. But movers can still end up in a picturesque part of the world with a different way of life.
Ireland, for example, wants more people on the islands not connected to the mainland, and has a program to help people buy and renovate homes there.
Ireland’s government said it aims to replenish the less-inhabited islands with people so “visitors to the islands can continue to experience and appreciate the unique culture, heritage and environmental richness that the islands have to offer.”
Not everyone can get money for moving to these places. Most of the programs have certain requirements to receive the incentives, like being under a certain age or staying in the new place for a certain length of time.
For foreigners, the proper visa is required, but some countries make that easier than others to obtain one.
Below are six international programs offering cash and other incentives to movers.
Albinen, Switzerland
In an effort to replenish its aging population, the small Swiss village of Albinen is offering nonresidents 25,000 francs (or about $30,412) per adult and 10,000 francs per child to move to the remote Alpine locale.
Albinen implemented its relocation program in 2017 after many young people and families left the small village, which saw its population drop to fewer than 300 people. The Swiss village, located in the Leuk district in the canton of Valais, is quintessential quiet living. There is no school, bank, or post office, and only one remaining pub.
Those who dream of leaving the bustle of city life behind in favor of remote relaxation must meet some requirements. Applicants must be under 45, able to buy a house in the village worth more than 200,000 francs, and willing to live in Albinen for at least 10 years and become Swiss citizens.
Those who don’t stay 10 years will be required to reimburse the town’s housing grant fully.
An earlier iteration of the program gave the cash upfront, but now new residents must reside in Albinen for five years first.
Albinen’s relocation program briefly went viral in 2023, garnering about 100 inquiries a day, Mayor Beat Jost told a Swiss outlet in 2023.
The program is still up taking submissions on the town’s website as of September.
Antikythera, Greece
The Aegean island of Antikythera is seeking families and willing to pay for them. This Greek paradise boasts crystal blue waters, rugged cliffs, and plenty of historical charm.
Local officials started a program in 2019 that provides families with three or more children with a monthly stipend of 500 euros (or about $574) for up to three years, free accommodations, and free food if they permanently relocate to the island.
The population of the island, nestled between Crete and the Greek mainland, had fallen to just 24 as younger residents fled for better economic opportunities, Yahoo Finance reported in 2019. Local officials told Greek media that fishermen, bakers, builders, and farmers would be especially welcome on the remote island.
Later that year, Lonely Planet reported that the island had ended the program after selecting five Greek families to make the move to Antikythera.
But in 2023, the island restarted its relocation program, this time with financial backing from the Greek Orthodox Church, a Greek news website the Greek City Times reported.
As of January 2026, no families have moved in yet as the construction of homes is not yet complete. The application process is still open, though.
The program is primarily aimed at Greek families, but non-Greeks will be considered, UK news siteExpress reported in 2023.
Sardinia, Italy
An Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea is willing to pay 15,000 euros for people who want a rural lifestyle.
The island of Sardinia has a population of nearly 1.6 million, but the government expects transplants to live in a less populated area.
The government is implementing the plan to combat the island’s dwindling population and isolation.
Originally, applicants had to move to a town in Sardinia with fewer than 3,000 residents, but as of 2025, the program extended to places with up to 5,000 residents. They also added 600 euros a month for the first child born, adopted, or fostered — and a 400-euro-a-month payment for each additional child.
Applicants must move to a town in Sardinia, live there full-time, and make Sardinia their permanent residence within 18 months. The 15,000 euros must go toward renovating a home, CNBC reported.
Ireland
If you’ve ever wanted to live a secluded life on an island, Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” program can help.
The program, which launched in 2023, offers movers up to 70,000 euros to move to one of the less populated islands off the coast of the mainland. There are 30 islands that are not connected to the mainland by bridge or causeway, according to Ireland’s Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The caveat is you must buy a home through the Property Refurbishment Grant Scheme Croí Cónaithe, it must be built before 1993, and the grant you receive must go towards renovating the home.
“The aim of this policy is to ensure that sustainable, vibrant communities can continue to live — and thrive — on the offshore islands for many years to come,” the government said.
Japan
In 2019, Japan launched a regional relocation grant program to get people to move from the more populated parts of the country, specifically Tokyo, to more rural areas.
The Regional Revitalization Migration Support Grant will pay movers 1 million yen (about $6,400) per household or 600,000 yen for a single mover to move to a rural area outside the Tokyo metro. You can add another million yen if you bring a qualifying business with you.
Japan has been fighting depopulation for years, particularly in rural areas. While foreigners have no issue buying properties in rural Japan, in order to receive the grant, you will need to be a permanent resident, long-term resident, or a special permanent resident. A work visa will not suffice.
La Rioja, Spain
La Rioja, Spain, a northern province about 195 miles from Madrid, wants younger people to establish themselves in more rural parts of the region.
The Revive program is asking people under 45 to relocate to municipalities with under 5,000 residents in exchange for cash. The grant amount depends on the population; 2,001 to 5,000 residents gets you 20,000 euros, 501 to 2,000 residents gets you 30,000 euros, and a town with less than 500 residents gets you 40,000 euros. The grant must to go toward the purchase or renovation of a property.
Movers must live in the property for at least five years, and they must move in within three months of purchasing it.
Participants don’t technically need to be Spanish citizens, but they must be an EU, EEA, or Switzerland national. Non-EU nationals can apply, but must have valid residence in Spain.
Applications are open until June 2027.
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