Life can feel expensive these days, between the cost of living and the cost of housing, sometimes you may feel like you can barely afford to pay your regular expenses let alone save. Can you imagine the opposite? Not paying to live but instead being paid to live somewhere. This may sound too good to be true but I am here to tell you that it’s not.
Nowadays, across the globe there are places that offer this possibility. Today we are going to tell you about 10 countries that will actually pay you to live at their land.
Italy
It has several areas that have been reported to pay people to move there. Including Candela Sardinia and Presicce-Acquarica. Today we are going to focus on the most lucrative among them which is Presicce-Acquarica. If you look at photos of this town it’s hard to believe that such a beautiful place will actually pay you to move there.
Located in the heel of Italy’s boot area, this town is a short drive from the coast and possedes breathtaking beaches. The town itself is equally incredible with plenty of historic buildings and great food. Without getting into the details, we know that Presicce Aquarica offers around 30 000 Euros to those who move there. Which is the equivalent of a little over thirty two thousand dollars USD.
This town, like many others on this list, has been suffering from a population decline so, the cash bonus is an effort to get people to move in their land. In order to meet the grant requirements you will need to buy a house that has been built before 1991 and move your official residency to the region.
Canada
Saskatchewan a province in western Canada. It has recently launched a program meant to combat brain drain, the term used to describe the outflux of educated or professional workers. It is important to understand that to be eligible you need to be a recent college grad from one of the universities on a list of pre-approved institutions. In exchange for agreeing to stay in this province they will give you fifteen thousand dollars annually in tax returns which you can benefit from for up to 10 years.
You may choose to settle in one of Saskatchewan’s mid-sized cities, like Saskatoon which has a population of about two hundred seventy three thousand people. However, wherever you decide to live you will find an affordable cost of living and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. And, as an added benefit, you will also receive free medical care. That is correct, Saskatchewan is known as the birthplace of Medicare and you can bet that its residents take advantage of it.
Spain
if a daily siesta sounds like your kind of life style, you might want to consider being paid to move to the quaint littletown of Ponga located in Spain’s Northern mountains. Ponga has a population of about 600 people and is seeking new residents to help boost its local economy and combat population decline. And to incentivize people to move in, Ponga is offering new residents about 3 000 Euros which is about thirty two hundred dollars USD. As an added bonus for those who want to have kids this town is also offering an additional 3 200 for each baby that is born there.
The catch is that, you will need to stay for about five years. But that should not be too hard given this town’s incredible peaceful location. In the mountains for instance you can take advantage of the temperate mediterranen climate and enjoy year-round hikes in the UNESCO classified NatureReserve that sits adjacent to Ponga.
Chile
If you’re an entrepreneur listen up, Chile’s Capital Santiago is offering about forty thousand dollars to entrepreneurs who are willing to relocate both themselves and their businesses there. This program known as start up, Chile started all the way back in 2010. It is basically a seed accelerator program. It was started by the Chilean government in an effort to bring new businesses to the area to be considered.
You will need to submit a proposal. The details can be found on the program’s website if you decide to move there. You will find yourself living in a vibrant bustling city with a population of about 5.6 million. According to former expats who have relocated to Santiago, what they love best about this city is the street art scene, vibrant culture and relatively affordable cost of living when compared to other cities of comparable size.
Ireland
Another great option for business owners looking to make some money by relocating their businesses is Ireland. It is probably no secret by now that Ireland offers some amazing benefits for business owners and while this country isn’t directly paying you to live there. The incentives are so good that it may feel like they are paying you after all.
There is a reason why companies like apple Google and Facebook have used Ireland as a so-called business tax Haven for years. And smaller entrepreneurs may be able to take advantage of these benefits as well.
Ireland is a great spot for business owners who are looking to live in an English-speaking country. It is equally great for those who like country or city living, as Ireland has both. For instance, you can find yourself in a little cottage nestled in a verdant Valley or live in Dublin recently named one of the best cities in the world for its music nightlife and maybe most important, safety.
Note, before you move there know that Ireland, in response to some backlash, has recently adjusted their tax policy slightly to try and reduce the prevalence of tax avoidance, however it seems like businesses will still be able to benefit from moving there. As Ireland’s adjustment was an increase on taxes, on profits, from 12.5 percent to just 15 percent. Which isn’t a huge change.
Croatia
In the U.S the median house sale, as of April 2023, was about four hundred eight thousand dollars. But what if I told you, there was a place where you could buy a house for as little as 16 cents. You might think I am making this up, but I am not. In fact, the municipality of Legrad in Croatia has been seeing a decline in population so, in 2021 it started to offer some pretty crazy incentives to try and get people to move there, including selling homes for 16 cents.
In addition to a really cheap home, Legrad will also pay you four thousand dollars towards home refurbishments. The catch is that you will need to be able to prove financial stability, be under 40 and commit to living there for at least 15 years. If you decide to make the move you will find yourself living in Northern Croatia amongst a population of about 2240. Enjoying a rural peaceful way of life. If you decide to travel around Croatia you can get to Dubrovnik in about seven hours or Croatia’s Capital Zagreb in about an hour and a half by car.
Switzerland
If your dream is to live in a place that looks like it’s straight out of a postcard Switzerland may be your spot. Infact Switzerland has been named one of the most beautiful places to live in the entire world and if you play your cards right you may even be able to be paid to live there. After years of suffering from a significant population decline especially when it comes to young people, the Swiss town of Albinon is trying to recruit more people through good old-fashioned cash.
That is right, this town of about 240 people is offering approximately twenty seven thousand dollars to those who move there. Plus, what’s equivalent to approximately eleven thousand dollars if you have children. To be eligible you do need to meet a few requirements, first you have to be under 45 and agree to be a resident there, for at least 10 years and you also need to be a citizen or permanent resident of Switzerland.
Additionally you need to agree to purchase a property that’s a minimum of about two hundred fourteen thousand dollars. If you decide to try and make the move there, you will find yourself living in a peaceful quaint little village. That is off the beaten path, given its small population, you will also get to know pretty much every one of your neighbors. Plus, every morning you can enjoy a cup of coffee overlooking the breathtaking Swiss Alps.
Taiwan
If you’re looking to be paid to move somewhere without needing to establish a permanent residence. Taiwan may be a great fit for you while this isn’t exactly being paid. Just fot you to move there Taiwan will pay you a pretty handsome sum. If you move there to teach English in fact, out of all of the countries that pay native English speakers to teach, Taiwan pays some of the most at anywhere, from two thousand dollars to three thousand dollars per month.
That may not sound like a ton but according to Nomad list you can easily get by in cities like Taipei on that salary. On the weekends and during holidays you can find yourself lounging on white sandy beaches or exploring the streets and food scene in the bustling city of Taipei.
Greece
Have you dreamed of living on a remote island somewhere and waking up every day to the sound of ocean, waves lapping on the shore. Well, the Greek island Vantikithira may be just what you are looking for. This island is only about seven square miles, has a population of only a few dozen residents and is located a nine hour ferry ride from Athens.
I wasn’t kidding when I said remote because the population of this island is so small and continues to decline. The Greek Orthodox church is paying families to move there. If you decide to make the move there, you will not only get a home and land as part of the deal, but you’ll also be paid 500 Euros or about 535 USD each month for the first three years
Mauritius
is a little Island community in the Indian Ocean just east of Madagascar for those of you looking for an island paradise with maybe just a little more to do than the Greek island of Vantakithira, that I mentioned earlier. This may be a great fit for you and, with this nation’s whites and sandy beaches, turquoise water and tropical climate every day, it can feel like a vacation living, and the best news is that you can get paid to live there.
That is right, Mauritius is paying startups 20 000 mauritian rupees which is about 433 dollars to move there. No it is not a ton of money but keep in mind that the cost of living is very affordable there.
In order to be eligible you just need to present your existing startup or startup idea to a committee who will then decide whether to approve you for the grant.
In a world where the pressures of managing finances, can feel burdensome the new idea of getting paid to move brings a ray of hope and an unconventional route to ease financial burdens. Whether its the shores of Italy, the vibe in Chile the historical depth of Ireland or the peaceful scenery of Switzerland these opportunities not only offer a financial reward but also welcome individuals to become active members of communities that are full of culture, history and promise.
Each location has its advantages and obstacles. The main message is clear; there are places around the globe that appreciate new residents enough to provide them with relocation incentives. This global outlook on managing populations and revitalizing economies showcases an approach to addressing issues and provides a distinctive chance for those open to exploring new possibilities. Whether one chooses to embrace a life in Ponga, Spain; explore business prospects in Ireland; or contribute to education, in Taiwan these perks demonstrate the innovative tactics being implemented worldwide to promote community growth and sustainability.
