10 places that will pay you to live there
Sick of getting holiday envy while your mates boast about their Euro-trips? Take a look at our list of nations that will pay you in grants, visas or accommodations to live there – from Europe to the USA.
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It sounds like the stuff of dreams – a place that will pay you to live there.
But these far-fetched dreams are becoming more of a reality, with depopulating nations turning to government grants and programs to drive up their community numbers.
From glitzy Italian towns to old-school Swiss villages, Europe is one of many continents implementing initiatives to drive up their population numbers by welcoming overseas guests.
Albinen, Valais, Switzerland
With a population of less than 250 people, Albinen in Switzerland is a multi-award winning village, known for its beautiful mountain ranges and historic farmhouses.
A housing and family support grant was announced by the Municipality of Albinen in 2017 with aims to encourage the permanent residency of young people and families in an attempt to stop migration and population loss by enabling the acquisition of residential property.
Targeting people under the age of 45, the initiative is offering AUD$43,1991 to individuals, AUD$86,403 to couples and AUD$17,281 per child for those that move to Albinen to build, buy, or renovate a home in the village.
Neighbouring the spa town of Leukerbad, to live in Albinen, participants in the scheme will need to move into a property with a minimum value of AUD$345,561, in addition to gaining a Swiss Residence Permit C.
But, like every good deal, it does come with a catch.
To live in the historic Swiss town known for its slopes and tobogganing, you’ll have to live in the community for a minimum of 10 years – if you leave before, you have to pay back the money.
Mussomeli, Sicily, Italy
Living in a picturesque Italy doesn’t have to be a far-fetched dream, with this Sicilian town offering homes for just one Euro or AUD$1.66 under the One Euro Houses project.
Mussomeli sits 765 metres above sea level with a population of 11,000 people and is known for being the home to the Chiaramonte Castle, or, ‘Castle Manfredonia’.
Aiming to “enhance the real estate located in the historic centre of the Municipality of Mussomeli”, the one Euro initiative aims to recover property in the historic Italian commune, by allowing people to buy abandoned and old homes for just one Euro.
Don’t get too excited too quickly though – while the home is only one Euro, you’ll still need to cover notary, registration and transfer fees, as well as lodge and complete a plan to renovate the property within three years of purchase.
While there are still costs involved, the overall price for home, renovations and administration fees is cheaper than buying a studio apartment down under.
Maenza, Lazio, Italy
If central Italy is more your style, Maenza in the province of Latina has followed in Mussomeli’s footsteps and is offering subsidised prices of ancient homes for just one Euro or AUD$1.66.
Entitled the Pact for the Historical Centre, the council initiative was approved in April, 2021, with aims to restore and renew the medieval village, located just 110km southeast of Rome.
Situated 358 metres above sea level, the initiative aims to revitalise the historical parts of the town by encouraging culture, activity and more public interest into the town’s history dating way back to 9th century A.D.
The one Euro homes are available to buyers who can cover renovation costs for the abandoned and semi-abandoned medieval homes, with renovation works to have started within three months of moving to Maenza.
Just over an hour from Rome, Maenza is home to Baronial Castle or ‘Castello Baronale di Maenza’, a 12th century guard tower with a drawbridge.
Sardinia, Mediterranean Sea, Italy
President of the Region of Sardinia Christian Solinas introduced an initiative in 2022 in the form of non-repayable contributions of up to AUD$25,512 (€15,000) for people to move to the Mediterranean island in an attempt to battle depopulation in Sardinian municipalities.
The General Directorate of Public Works ordered a commitment of AUD$76.5m (€45,000,000) over three years from 2022 to 2024 to enable people to purchase or renovate first homes in Sardinia.
In an island struggling with an aging population, the initiative was created to incentivise more young people to move to its smaller towns and cities, with the grant only eligible for municipalities with a population less than 3000.
The $25,512 available in grants must also be put towards renovating or buying a home in the area, where you must live full time and make register to be your permanent residence within 18 months.
With approximately 300 municipalities in Sardinia with a population less than 300, there’s a plethora of Italian towns to escape to with views of the Mediterranean Sea and an opportunity to explore the Island’s many sandy beaches, mountains and history.
Quilpie, Queensland, Australia
Located 1000km west of Brisbane along Warrego Way, Quilpie is a rural Queensland town where new and existing residents can nab a five-figure sum just for living there.
With a population of just under 800 people, areas in the Quilpie Shire area such as Adavale, Eromanga, Cheepie, Quilpie and Toompine are offering a Home Owner Grant of up to $20,000 to help people build a new home in the Quilpie Shire area.
Australian citizens or permanent residents are eligible for the one-off grant which offers 10 percent on the value of the new home being built on vacant land, with a maximum grant of $20,000.
To be eligible, residents must reside in the home for at least the first six months.
The initiative, which was introduced in 2021, aims to increase population, economic development and job creation in the small town of Quilpie, which is home to two schools, a hospital, two supermarkets, a butcher, bakery, newsagent and a few retail stores.
An outback town, Quilpie is home to several walks and lookouts, as well as various historical museums about Quilpie’s military, mining and railway history.
Alaska, US
If the picturesque Northern Lights and snowy terrains weren’t enough to lure you to Alaska, citizens of the US state are eligible for an annual dividend payment, averaging $1600 per year.
Established in 1976, the Alaska Permanent Fund collects at least 25 percent of royalties from the sale of state-owned natural resources such as oil and minerals, depositing the royalties into the fund to share with Alaskans.
Founded after the creation of the Trans-Alaska pipeline, the fund aims to conserve revenue from Alaska’s mineral resources to benefit present and future generations of Alaskan citizens.
An initiative that has lasted longer than 40 years, the Alaska Permanent Fund pays eligible citizens the same amount around October every year, not including those who were not absent in the country for more than 180 days or were sentenced or incarcerated for a criminal offence.
2022 marked the largest payout in the fund’s history, each citizen receiving AUD$4888.
Alaska is known for its natural sights, glaciers, national parks, and mountains, including Denali, the highest peak in North America.
Santiago, Chile
Calling all entrepreneurs looking for a sea change to develop their business – Chile is offering up to AUD$133,096 for people to bring their start-up to the South American country as part of their Start-up Chile program.
Launched by the Chilean Economic Development Agency in 2010, the innovative initiative offers three different development programs, ‘Build’, ‘Ignite’ and ‘Growth’, to help businesses grow in Chile by offering subsidised mentoring, networking and funding.
The three programs range from businesses in the early start-up stages looking to accelerate their companies, to businesses seeking to internationalise their already established brands via four to eight month acceleration programs.
Offering connections and mentorships with brands such as Amazon, Walmart and Microsoft, funding from the program ranges from AUD$17,766 (10 million Chilean pesos) to AUD$133,096 (75 million Chilean pesos) in equity-free investments.
With a goal of turning Chile into the “innovation and entrepreneurship hub of Latin America”, the program has developed start-ups from 14 different countries, generating one billion US dollars (AUD$1.49 billion) in sales worldwide.
Entrepreneurs interested in the program will need to move to Chile for the program as well as open a Chilean bank account and apply for a visa.
The program also has a ‘Female Founder Factor’ which offers start-ups with female leaders a higher percentage of funding to help reduce the gender gap in leadership positions.
Ireland
While this program won’t give you cash-in-hand type compensation, Ireland’s Start Up Entrepreneur Program gives business owners and innovators an opportunity to take their business overseas by granting a residential visa for both them and their families.
Ranked third in the world for seed-level investments, Ireland is one of the lowest nations in terms of company tax, with an average of 12.5%.
Incentivising more international entrepreneurs to bring their business to Ireland, this program offers multi-level visas for participants and their beneficiaries, and is eligible for non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who already have a minimum funding of AUD$82,824 (€50,000) to set up their business headquarters in Ireland.
Businesses must also be less than five years old, be led by an experienced management team, be capable of creating 10 or more jobs and $1m in sales within three to four years of starting out.
Visas cover a two-year residence which can be extended by a further three years while in the program.
The Republic of Ireland will also begin handing out grants of up to €84,000 (A$137,000) for those looking to settle on one of the country’s coastal islands.
The 30 islands are lush, green and remote, with 300,000 visitors a year flocking to admire their fishing lakes, scenic vistas and ancient ruins.
New Zealand
New Zealand is offering up to $10,000 to overseas-trained teachers in a bid to help fill teaching positions around the country.
Eligible teachers for the Overseas Relocation Grant must have begun full-time employment within 90 days of applying for the grant and must be a registered and certified teacher with the Teaching Council of New Zealand.
Those looking to move can get the one-off single instalment payment if they work for a minimum of 12 months in a state or state-integrated school, or a licensed early learning centre, plus have a valid work visa.
Home to a number of different cultures, teachers who take part of the grant can be expected to learn the New Zealand education system with a focus on revitalising Te Reo Maori, the Maori language, as well as learning about New Zealand’s cultural customs.
Known as the birthplace of ‘Middle Earth’ from the Lord of the Rings franchise, New Zealand is known for its diverse cultures, beautiful national parks and its national bird, the Kiwi.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
Formerly referred to as the ‘Oil Capital of the World’, Tulsa in the American state of Oklahoma, is offering people who are self-employed or work remotely full-time outside of Oklahoma, the opportunity to move there, offering up to $10,000 in grants.
People who are over 18, can move within 12 months, are eligible to work in the US and can bring their employment to Tulsa are eligible for the $10,000 relocation grant, delivered as a monthly stipend to help with the transition.
The Tulsa Remote program aims to bring unique employed individuals to Tulsa to grow the Oklahoman community to enhance the workforce through community building, collaboration and networking.
Launched in 2018, the program also offers free desk space at ‘36 Degrees North’, a co-working space in Downtown Tulsa which program members have a 36-month free membership at to assist their transition while settling.
Since launching the program, 2500 people have moved to Tulsa, with the age of participants in 2019 ranging from 22 to 64 years old, with couples also able to apply together.
As long as you have completed a lease or have a place to live in Tulsa prior to being accepted into the program, you can explore the many museums, the oil history and many landmarks of Tulsa, with the additional benefit of a cash incentive.
Saskatchewan, Canada
Graduates could be eligible for up to $20,000 if they decide to take the leap and move to the Western Canadian province of Saskatchewan, known for its rich agriculture as the top exporter of lentils and dry peas in the world.
With a large population of more than one million people, Saskatchewan is offering graduates an opportunity to earn a rebate of up to $20,000 on their tuition fees which have already been paid, handed out over seven years provided you file your taxes in Saskatchewan.
The student-focused Graduate Retention Program initiative is available for those who have already moved to Saskatchewan or are moving to the Canadian province within seven years of their graduation date.
Starting from $3000 for one year certificates and diplomas, the payments are given out in 10 percent maximum rebates within the first four years, with the last three tax years completed with 20 percent maximum rebates.
Saskatchewan is also known for its Fransaskois community, French-Canadians living in Saskatchewan, making up approximately of 1.6 percent of the province’s population, represented by a yellow flag with a greed cross and a red fleur-de-lis.
Originally published as 10 places that will pay you to live there
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