7 countries paying Brits to move there with one offering £26,000 to new arrivals | Personal Finance | Finance
Antikythera is a scenic island in Greece (Image: Getty)
With remote working becoming increasingly prevalent and many pursuing a change of lifestyle, many countries worldwide are taking extra measures to attract new inhabitants – providing financial incentives, free accommodation, or substantial bonuses to bolster their populations.
Whether you aspire to inhale Alpine air in Switzerland, savour sun-soaked Greek island living, or move to a tranquil Spanish village, the incentives available are remarkably attractive.
Here’s a detailed examination of seven countries actively encouraging relocation, and the benefits they’re providing to those who take the plunge.
Switzerland – More than £26,000 per family to settle in a stunning Alpine village
Switzerland is renowned for its outstanding quality of life, and one village is prepared to pay generously to draw new inhabitants. The village of Albinen, situated in the canton of Valais, introduced an incentive programme in 2017 to address a declining population.
The scheme provides CHF 25,000 (approximately £22,000) per adult and CHF 10,000 (roughly £8,800) per child. For a family made up of two adults and one child, that totals more than £26,000.
Some cities and towns in Spain are paying newcomers (Image: Getty)
There are stipulations: applicants must be under 45, pledge to live in Albinen for a minimum of 10 years, and acquire or construct a property valued at least CHF 200,000. Those who depart before the decade concludes must reimburse the funds.
Ireland – As much as €84,000 to revive island communities
Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” initiative stands as one of Europe’s most ambitious relocation programmes. Running through to 2033, the scheme seeks to boost populations on remote islands dotting Ireland’s coastline by providing grants to assist newcomers in purchasing and refurbishing vacant or derelict properties.
Applicants are eligible for up to €84,000, with the exact amount determined by the extent of renovation required. Properties must have stood empty for a minimum of two years and been built before 1993.
Following refurbishment, they must serve as a primary home or long-term rental – short-term holiday lettings are excluded.
The scheme is available to both Irish nationals and international applicants. The grant is distributed through local county councils and seeks to stimulate population growth, strengthen local economies, and ensure a viable future for these historic communities.
Even cities in the USA are welcoming new residents (Image: Getty)
For remote workers and digital nomads, it presents an attractive opportunity to relocate to somewhere tranquil whilst receiving considerable financial support.
Greece – A free house and €500 monthly on the secluded island of Antikythera
For those attracted to Mediterranean tranquillity, the Greek island of Antikythera presents an extraordinary relocation package. Local authorities, supported by the Greek Orthodox Church, are providing a free house, a plot of land, and a monthly allowance of €500 for the first three years to new families prepared to settle there.
The initiative targets young families and skilled tradespeople, including builders, bakers and craftspeople, who can make a meaningful contribution to island life. Mayor Efstaratios Charcalakis has previously stated the objective is to restore the sound of children playing in the island’s streets.
That said, life on Antikythera is not suited to everyone. The island is compact and isolated, with basic facilities, and many properties need substantial refurbishment.
Those who make the move are expected to adopt a more tranquil lifestyle and dedicate themselves to the community’s long-term regeneration. For the right person, however, it represents an exceptional opportunity to establish a future on a serene Aegean island.
Spain – Financial grants and monthly payments to entice digital nomads and families
Spain is proactively recruiting new inhabitants to combat rural depopulation, particularly in villages that have experienced declining populations over recent decades. Various regional schemes provide monetary incentives to digital nomads, business owners, and families.
In Extremadura, remote workers may apply for grants up to €15,000 provided they pledge to live there for a minimum of two years. Ponga, a town in northwest Spain, provides approximately £2,600 (€2,971) to welcome new arrivals, with additional funding for each child born locally.
Similarly, the village of Rubia in Galicia pays families €150 monthly to help increase local school enrolment. Alongside these regional initiatives, Spain’s digital nomad visa provides reduced corporate tax rates for fledgling businesses and a pathway to residency for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
Japan – Up to ¥4.8 million to relocate from Tokyo to rural regions
Japan has been promoting relocation from Tokyo to the countryside for years, but the financial incentives have recently grown amid historically low birth rates. In 2023, just 758,631 babies were born – a 5.1% decline from 2022 – sparking renewed efforts to rejuvenate rural communities.
Switzerland is offering incentives for people who want to move to one of its villages (Image: Getty)
Families can now claim 1 million yen (approximately £5,400) per child to move from Tokyo, with further financial help available for launching a business or securing local employment. In certain circumstances, total relocation support can reach ¥4.8 million.
The objective is to relieve pressure on the capital whilst injecting energy and enterprise into struggling communities. Families must reside in their new location for a minimum of five years, with at least one adult required to work or operate a business locally.
USA – Financial payments and benefits for remote workers
Numerous towns and cities throughout the United States are providing relocation packages to entice remote workers and skilled professionals, with the goal of stimulating local economies and countering population decline.
Tulsa, Oklahoma operates the prominent Tulsa Remote programme, offering financial incentives and benefits to remote workers prepared to relocate, whilst Choose Topeka in Kansas provides up to $15,000 in incentives for individuals in specific industries. Mattoon, Illinois is offering a “Move to Mattoon” package that includes £3,650 in cash, vouchers for local businesses, and community memberships.
Saskatchewan aims to get more students to stay (Image: Getty)
Each scheme has its own eligibility requirements, but the objective remains the same: to attract economically active newcomers who can enhance communities whilst benefiting from a lower cost of living than in major cities.
Canada – Up to CA$20,000 in tuition reimbursements for graduates
Canada’s Saskatchewan Graduate Retention Programme aims to retain skilled graduates in the province by reimbursing tuition fees of up to CA$20,000 (£11,580).
To be eligible, students must graduate from an approved Canadian institution and plan to live or relocate to Saskatchewan upon completion of their studies. The reimbursement amount is dependent on the duration of the degree.
The programme offers a financial incentive to young people entering the workforce, whilst encouraging them to contribute to the local economy.
