Even cities in the USA are welcoming new residents (Image: Getty)
With remote work on the rise and many people seeking a lifestyle change, several countries around the world are going a step further to attract new residents – offering cash, free housing, or generous bonuses to boost their populations.
Whether you dream of breathing Alpine air in Switzerland, enjoying sun-drenched Greek island life, or relocating to a quiet Spanish village, the incentives on offer are surprisingly enticing.
Here’s a closer look at seven countries actively encouraging people to make the move, and the benefits they’re offering to those who do.
Switzerland – Over £26,000 per family to settle in a picturesque Alpine village
Switzerland is known for its exceptional quality of life, and one village is willing to pay handsomely to attract new residents. The village of Albinen, located in the canton of Valais, launched an incentive scheme in 2017 to tackle a shrinking population.
The program offers CHF 25,000 (around £22,000) per adult and CHF 10,000 (around £8,800) per child. For a family of two adults and one child, that adds up to more than £26,000.
There are conditions: applicants must be under 45, commit to living in Albinen for at least 10 years, and purchase or build a property worth at least CHF 200,000. Those who leave before the decade is up must repay the funds.
Switzerland is offering incentives for people who want to move to one of its villages (Image: Getty)
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Antikythera is a scenic island in Greece (Image: Getty)
Ireland – Up to €84,000 to revitalise island communities
Ireland’s “Our Living Islands” initiative is one of the most ambitious relocation schemes in Europe. Running until 2033, the program aims to increase populations on remote islands off Ireland’s coast by offering grants to help newcomers purchase and renovate vacant or derelict homes.
Applicants can receive up to €84,000, depending on the level of refurbishment needed. Properties must have been vacant for at least two years and built before 1993. Once renovated, they must be used as a primary residence or long-term rental – short-term holiday lets don’t qualify.
The initiative is open to both Irish citizens and international applicants. The grant is administered by local county councils and aims to boost population growth, support local economies, and secure a sustainable future for these historic communities.
For remote workers and digital nomads, it’s an appealing way to relocate somewhere peaceful while benefiting from substantial financial help.
Greece – A free house and €500 a month on the remote island of Antikythera
For those drawn to Mediterranean serenity, the Greek island of Antikythera offers a remarkable relocation package. The local authorities, backed by the Greek Orthodox Church, are providing a free house, a plot of land, and a monthly stipend of €500 for the first three years to new families willing to settle there.
The scheme is aimed at young families and skilled workers, such as builders, bakers or tradespeople, who can contribute to island life. Mayor Efstaratios Charcalakis previously explained the aim is to bring back the sound of children to the island’s streets.
However, life on Antikythera is not for everyone. The island is small and remote, with limited amenities, and many properties require significant renovation. Those who relocate are expected to embrace a quieter way of life and commit to the long-term revitalisation of the community. For the right person, though, it’s a rare chance to build a future on a peaceful Aegean island.
Some cities and towns in Spain are paying newcomers (Image: Getty)
Spain – Cash grants and monthly stipends to attract digital nomads and families
Spain is actively seeking new residents to reverse rural depopulation, especially in villages that have seen their numbers dwindle in recent decades. Several regional programs offer financial incentives to digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and families.
In Extremadura, remote workers can apply for grants of up to €15,000 if they commit to living there for at least two years. Ponga, a town in northwest Spain, offers around £2,600 (€2,971) to attract newcomers, plus an extra grant for each baby born there. Meanwhile, the village of Rubia in Galicia pays families €150 a month to help boost local school numbers.
Alongside these local schemes, Spain’s digital nomad visa offers reduced corporate tax rates for new companies and a route to residency for remote workers and entrepreneurs.
Japan – Up to ¥4.8 million to leave Tokyo for the countryside
Japan has been encouraging relocation from Tokyo to rural areas for years, but the incentives have recently increased amid record-low birth rates. In 2023, only 758,631 babies were born – a 5.1% drop compared to 2022 – prompting fresh efforts to revitalise rural towns.
Families can now receive 1 million yen (around £5,400) per child to relocate from Tokyo, with additional financial support for starting a business or working locally. In some cases, total relocation support can reach ¥4.8 million.
The aim is to ease pressure on the capital and bring energy and entrepreneurship to struggling communities. Families must live in their new area for at least five years, and at least one adult must work or run a business locally.
Saskatchewan aims to get more students to stay (Image: Getty)
USA – Cash payments and perks for remote workers
Several towns and cities across the United States are offering relocation packages to attract remote workers and skilled professionals, aiming to boost local economies and reverse population decline.
Tulsa, Oklahoma runs the well-known Tulsa Remote program, offering cash and perks to remote workers willing to relocate, and Choose Topeka in Kansas provides up to $15,000 in incentives for people in certain industries.
Mattoon, Illinois offers a “Move to Mattoon” package including $5,000 in cash, vouchers for local businesses, and community memberships.
Each program has its own eligibility criteria, but the goal is the same: to bring in economically active newcomers who can enrich communities while enjoying 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 Program is designed to keep skilled graduates in the province by reimbursing tuition fees of up to CA$20,000 (£11,580).
To qualify, students must graduate from an approved Canadian institution and plan to live or move to Saskatchewan after finishing their studies. The reimbursement amount depends on the length of the degree.
The scheme provides a financial boost to young people entering the workforce while encouraging them to contribute to the local economy.
