The idea of getting paid to move abroad sounds like something out of a fantasy, but it’s very real in 2026. Countries offering relocation incentives do so for various strategic reasons, often because they try to revitalize local economies and address population decline. From cash grants and tax breaks to full startup funding and free coworking spaces, the options are broader than ever. Population decline, brain drain, and the rise of remote work have changed how countries attract new residents. Here are five countries actively putting money on the table to get you to pack your bags.
1. Italy: Cash Grants for Living in Charming, Shrinking Villages
A steady fall in Italy’s population since 2014 has affected regional towns the hardest, so local governments are offering relocation grants and other financial incentives to incoming expat communities. In the village of Candela, the numbers are concrete: if you have a salary of at least 7,500 euros, you can apply for residency and be rewarded with 800 euros for a single person, 1,200 euros for a couple, or up to 2,000 euros for a family. Further south, the scenic region of Calabria offers around €28,000 to qualifying individuals willing to move to one of nine villages with a population of fewer than 2,000. To apply, you must be no older than forty, move within 90 days of acceptance, and either start a new business that benefits locals or fill an in-demand job.
Italy’s island of Sardinia runs its own separate scheme. You can receive up to €15,000 to relocate to the scenic shores of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea, but you must use these funds to renovate a home in a town with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants and live there full-time. Applicants must register their residence in Sardinia within 18 months of arrival to be eligible for assistance. Sicily, meanwhile, is famous for its €1 home deals. In Sambuca di Sicilia, new residents can buy homes for €1, must renovate the property within three years, and a €5,000 security deposit is required upfront and refunded after renovations are complete. Italy’s relocation programs are genuinely varied, which means there’s likely a fit for almost any lifestyle.
2. Japan: Rural Relocation Bonuses Backed by National Strategy
Japan’s birth rate is falling at an alarming rate – 2025 saw around 670,000 babies born, the lowest since records began in the late 1800s, and far lower than the highs of two million new births in the 1970s. The government has responded with a major push to move people out of overpopulated cities and into rural areas. Japan’s Regional Revitalization program offers up to ¥4,800,000 (around $32,000) in funding and support to offset the cost of relocating, designed to address population decline in rural areas and labor gaps across various industries. The program is broad, covering a huge portion of the country. Approximately 1,300 municipalities, accounting for roughly 80% of Japan’s local districts, are part of this initiative. The program covers 44 of Japan’s 48 prefectures, excluding Tokyo, Kanagawa, Osaka, and Okinawa.
The incentives vary by family situation, and the numbers can add up fast. Japan offers up to 1 million yen per child for families moving to rural areas, meaning a family with two children could receive up to 3 million yen in total support. Single individuals may qualify for 600,000 yen in relocation assistance. There is also an additional subsidy of up to ¥2 million if you start a business in the city or town you move to. Applicants must commit to living in the rural area for at least five years and secure employment or start a business. Japan’s government has set ambitious targets, aiming to encourage 10,000 individuals annually to relocate by 2026.
3. Greece: A 50% Income Tax Cut for Seven Full Years
Greece takes a different approach from cash grants. Instead of a one-time payment, it offers something that can be even more financially valuable over time: a dramatic tax reduction. This special tax regime means that foreign individuals benefit from a 50% income tax break on their annual Greek salary or business income over a period of seven consecutive years following their relocation. The tax break applies to both employed and self-employed individuals, with no cap on the amount of income eligible for the reduction. Greece also has a separate program for foreign retirees. If you’re receiving pension income, Greece offers one of Europe’s most favorable tax deals: a flat 7% income tax rate for qualifying foreign retirees.
The eligibility requirements are straightforward enough for most international professionals to meet. The key condition is that the applicant must not have been a tax resident of Greece for 5 of the 6 years preceding the relocation of their tax residence. In addition, the applicant must transfer their tax residence to Greece from an EU/EEA country and declare their intention to remain in the country for at least two years. Beyond a tax incentive, this regime also functions as an instrument of brain gain policy, encouraging the return of Greeks living abroad as well as the establishment of highly skilled foreign professionals. Greece also recently expanded its angel investor incentive. Starting from the tax year 2025, new tax incentives are introduced for individuals investing capital in duly registered start-up companies, with the maximum investment limit raised from EUR 300,000 to EUR 900,000.
4. Spain: Payments for Families and Grants for Digital Nomads
Spain is tackling its rural population crisis from multiple angles at once. Dozens of Spanish villages, from Galicia to Castilla y León, offer housing incentives and business subsidies to attract new residents. Some towns offer free housing or land for those willing to open shops or restaurants. The village of Ponga is one of the most discussed examples: Ponga is located in northwestern Spain and has a population of less than 600. The program pays couples €3,000 to move there and an additional €3,000 for every child they have. However, families are legally bound to live in Ponga for at least five years. For remote workers, Extremadura has its own deal. Extremadura provides grants of up to €15,000 for remote workers under 30 who relocate to a small village or town with fewer than 5,000 residents.
Beyond the village-level programs, Spain’s national government is also making moves. The Spanish government funds startup grants for digital nomads under its new Startup Law, encouraging remote professionals to relocate. Spain’s Startup Law, which came into force in recent years, has made the country one of the more appealing destinations for location-independent workers in Europe. Grants can range from €15,000 to €50,000 for new businesses, particularly those willing to relocate to underpopulated areas. Remote workers can also access coworking spaces and networking opportunities funded by the government. Spain’s combination of warm climate, a well-developed culture, and genuine financial backing makes it one of the most competitive relocation destinations heading into 2026.
5. Switzerland and Ireland: Niche but Generous Incentives Worth Knowing
Switzerland’s relocation incentives are hyperlocal but hard to ignore in terms of sheer size. To help reduce its declining population, Albinen is offering 20,000 Swiss Francs to adults under 45 willing to make the move, plus an additional 10,000 Swiss Francs for each child. Conditions include buying a home worth over 200,000 Swiss Francs, staying for at least ten years, and becoming a Swiss citizen. A family could potentially receive a very sizeable sum. Albinen offers CHF 25,000 for each adult and CHF 10,000 per child who relocates to the village, meaning a family of four could receive up to CHF 70,000. It is not a casual commitment, but for those looking for long-term roots in one of the most scenic landscapes in Europe, the math is genuinely compelling.
Ireland, on the other hand, focuses its generosity on its remote islands. Individuals willing to buy and renovate vacant homes could receive cash grants of up to €84,000 to move there. The Irish government aims to diversify the islands’ economies, empower communities and build sustainable futures. For entrepreneurs, Enterprise Ireland offers a separate route. Enterprise Ireland provides funding and tax credits for startups registered in Ireland, and non-Irish entrepreneurs can apply, gaining access to the EU market and Ireland’s scenic landscapes. It’s worth keeping in mind that many of these programs are temporary, periodically stop accepting applications, or make changes to the requirements and benefits, so verifying current status directly with official government sources before making any decisions is essential.
