Seven countries paying Brits up to £26,000 to move there this year | World | News
Antikythera is a scenic island in Greece (Image: Getty)
With remote working becoming increasingly common and many people seeking a lifestyle change, a growing number of countries across the globe are going the extra mile to entice new residents – offering cash payments, free housing, or generous grants to bolster their populations.
Whether you dream of breathing in Alpine air in Switzerland, enjoying sun-drenched Greek island life, or relocating to a peaceful Spanish village, the incentives on offer are remarkably appealing.
Here’s an in-depth look at seven countries actively encouraging people to move abroad, and the rewards they’re offering to those who take the plunge.
Switzerland – Over £26,000 per family to settle in a picturesque Alpine village
Switzerland is famous for its exceptional quality of life, and one village is willing to pay handsomely to draw in new residents. The village of Albinen, located in the canton of Valais, launched an incentive programme in 2017 to tackle a shrinking population.
The scheme offers CHF 25,000 (approximately £22,000) per adult and CHF 10,000 (approximately £8,800) per child. For a family of two adults and one child, that amounts to more than £26,000.
There are conditions: applicants must be under 45, commit to residing in Albinen for at least 10 years, and purchase or build a property worth a minimum of CHF 200,000.
Saskatchewan aims to get more students to stay (Image: Getty)
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Ireland – Up to €84,000 to revitalise island communities
Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” initiative stands as one of Europe’s most ambitious relocation schemes.
Running until 2033, the programme is designed to increase populations on remote islands off Ireland’s coastline by providing grants to help newcomers purchase and renovate vacant or derelict properties.
Applicants can receive up to €84,000, depending on the level of refurbishment needed. Properties must have been unoccupied for a minimum of two years and built before 1993. Once renovated, they must function as a primary residence or long-term rental – short-term holiday lets are not permitted.
The initiative is open to both Irish nationals and international applicants. Administered by local county councils, the grant seeks to stimulate population growth, strengthen local economies, and secure a sustainable future for these historic communities.
For remote workers and digital nomads, it represents an appealing opportunity to settle somewhere peaceful while receiving substantial financial backing.
Some cities and towns in Spain are paying newcomers (Image: Getty)
Greece – A free house and €500 each month on remote island
For those drawn to Mediterranean tranquillity, the Greek island of Antikythera offers a remarkable relocation package. Local authorities, backed 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 willing to put down roots there.
The initiative is aimed at young families and skilled workers, including builders, bakers and tradespeople, who can make a genuine contribution to life on the island.
Mayor Efstaratios Charcalakis has previously stated the objective is to restore the sound of children playing in the island’s streets.
That said, uprooting to Antikythera is not for everybody. The island is small and remote, with limited amenities, while many properties require considerable renovation work.
Those who do make the move are expected to embrace a more peaceful way of life and show a lasting dedication to breathing new life into the community.
For the right person, however, it presents a remarkable chance to build a future on a tranquil Aegean island.
Spain – Cash grants and monthly stipends to attract digital nomads and families
Spain is actively seeking new residents to tackle rural depopulation, particularly in villages that have seen their populations fall sharply in recent decades.
A number of regional programmes offer financial incentives to digital nomads, entrepreneurs and families alike.
In Extremadura, remote workers may apply for grants of up to €15,000 on condition they live there for at least two years. Ponga, a town in northwest Spain, offers approximately £2,600 (€2,971) to attract newcomers, with extra funding available for each baby born in the area.
Meanwhile, the village of Rubia in Galicia provides families with €150 monthly to help boost local school enrolment numbers.
In addition to these regional schemes, Spain’s digital nomad visa offers reduced corporate tax rates for newly established companies and a route to residency for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
Japan – Up to ¥4.8 million to leave Tokyo for the countryside
Switzerland is offering incentives for people who want to move to one of its villages (Image: Getty)
Japan has been encouraging relocation from Tokyo to rural areas for several years, but incentives have recently been enhanced amid record-low birth rates.
In 2023, only 758,631 babies were born – a 5.1% decline compared to 2022 – prompting renewed efforts to revitalise rural communities.
Families can now receive 1 million yen (around £5,400) per child to relocate from Tokyo, with additional financial support available for starting a business or working locally. In certain circumstances, total relocation support can reach ¥4.8 million.
The aim is to ease pressure on the capital and inject vitality and enterprise into struggling communities.
Families must live in their new area for a minimum of five years, and at least one adult must work or run a business locally.
USA – Cash payments and perks for remote workers
A multitude of towns and cities throughout the United States are providing relocation packages to attract remote workers and skilled professionals, with the goal of bolstering local economies and stemming population decline.
Even cities in the USA are welcoming new residents (Image: Getty)
Tulsa, Oklahoma operates the well-established Tulsa Remote programme, providing cash and benefits to remote workers prepared to relocate, while Choose Topeka in Kansas offers up to $15,000 in incentives for individuals in particular industries.
Mattoon, Illinois, delivers a “Move to Mattoon” package comprising $5,000 in cash, vouchers for local businesses, and community memberships.
While each programme has its own eligibility criteria, the aim remains consistent: to draw economically active newcomers who can invigorate communities while enjoying a substantially lower cost of living compared to major cities.
Canada – Up to CA$20,000 in tuition reimbursements for graduates
Canada’s Saskatchewan Graduate Retention Programme is intended to retain skilled graduates within the province by reimbursing tuition fees of up to CA$20,000 (£11,580).
To qualify, students must have graduated from an approved Canadian institution and plan to reside in or move to Saskatchewan following completion of their studies.
The sum reimbursed depends on the length of the degree. The initiative provides a valuable financial incentive for young people stepping into the job market, while at the same time motivating them to invest in and support their local economy.
