If you’re seeking a new adventure in Europe, look no further than these five regions offering cash incentives to new residents.
Many rural areas in Europe are facing aging populations as young people move to cities or opt not to have children. To combat this, some local governments are encouraging foreigners who want to move abroad and take up residence with relocation grants and cash incentives.
These incentives aim to breathe new life into the towns and their abandoned houses, while also boosting the local economy.
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Rubia, Spain
Galicia Region, Northern Spain
Rubia, located in Galicia, in northern Spain, is offering cash incentives to new residents to help repopulate the area.
The village is offering €100 or €150 per month to live there, with the scheme particularly aimed at families with children to increase the number of students at local schools.
While the money may not cover all of your expenses, the cost of living in Rubia is much lower than in the UK or the U.S.
After the initial three months, you’ll still have very low rent as it will be just €225 per month.
The village is surrounded by beautiful countryside and offers a peaceful and quiet lifestyle, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Moving to Rubia is not just about the money, it’s also about the experience — you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in Spanish culture, learn the language, and make new friends.
The villages are surrounded by beautiful landscapes, perfect for hiking, cycling, and exploring.
You’ll also have the chance to try delicious local cuisine and experience traditional festivals and celebrations.
With cash incentives, beautiful landscapes, and a peaceful lifestyle, this Spanish village offers a unique opportunity to start a new chapter in your life.
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Ponga, Spain
Asturias Region, Northwestern Spain
Rubia is not the only Spanish village offering cash incentives to new residents.
Ponga, located in northwestern Spain, is offering cash incentives to new residents to help boost the local economy.
Through a scheme aimed at attracting new residents to the area and boosting the local economy, the town is offering €2,390 per person to those who move there.
The town is also offering couples who want to settle there a grant of €3,000 as well as an additional €3,000 for every baby born in the town.
Ponga is located in the region of Asturias, known for its dramatic coast, deep valleys, and soaring hillsides, plus plenty of pre-Romanesque architecture.
The town is surrounded by a vast nature reserve on the edge of the Cantabrian Mountains, which means hidden walking routes, forests, and wildlife.
The nearest city to Ponga is Gijon, which is around 90 minutes away by car.
The town is also well-connected to other parts of Spain, with high-speed trains running to Madrid and Barcelona.
With its stunning natural landscapes, pre-Romanesque architecture, and low cost of living, it’s no wonder that Ponga is attracting expats from all over the world.
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Sardinia, Italy
Cagliari, Sardinia
Are you looking for a stunning Mediterranean island to call home?
Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean, is offering cash incentives to new residents to help combat the aging population and dwindling numbers in rural areas.
Italy’s aging population is projected to decline by nearly 20% by 2070, from 59.55 million to 47.6 million in 2070.
The problem is particularly severe in the country’s rural areas – and places like Sardinia are feeling the burn so the island is offering people a whopping €15,000 to relocate.
Sardinia is famous for its clear waters, bronze-age ruins, and stunning beaches.
The island boasts sandy beaches, blue skies, and turquoise waters, making it a perfect location for those who love the sun and the sea.
The island is also known for its delicious cuisine, including fresh seafood, pasta, and local wines.
Sardinian president Christian Solinas said that the scheme would encourage young people to stay in Sardinia or move to the island.
To be eligible for the scheme, you have to move to a Sardinian town with a population of less than 3,000 residents.
The money must also go toward renovating a home, and you must live there full-time. Within 18 months, you need to register Sardinia as your permanent residence.
With its stunning natural landscapes, delicious cuisine, and low cost of living, Sardinia is definitely worth considering.
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Candela, Italy
Puglia Region, Italy
Candela, located in the Puglia region of southern Italy, is offering cash incentives to new residents to help boost the local economy.
The town is offering people up to €2,000 to move there, with the intention of attracting new residents to the town.
The mayor of Candela, Nicola Gatta, wants the small medieval town to shine like it did in the 1990s when more than 8,000 people lived there.
Today, there are just 2,700 residents. To recover the town’s lost grandeur, Mayor Gatta is offering financial incentives to anyone who decides to relocate to Candela.
To be eligible for the scheme, however, you’ll still have to find a job in the town.
Home to traditional palazzos and one school, Candela is a quiet and simple lifestyle town, with no crowds, making it easy to move around with no traffic or smog.
Candela natives are open and welcoming, happy to rub shoulders with the few newcomers living in town.
Some of Puglia’s top beaches are just an hour’s drive away from the town, while the “Trasonna,” a 35-centimeter-wide alley, has turned into a tourist attraction.
Candela lies at the heart of what is known as “Italy’s barn,” and the Grain Festival brings back the lost traditions of the town.
The town is also home to a number of historic landmarks, including the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Palazzo Baronale.
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Albinen, Switzerland
Canton of Valais, Rhone Valley, Switzerland
Albinen, a small Swiss village in the Canton of Valais, is also offering cash incentives to new residents to help boost its dwindling population numbers.
The village is offering people up to €25,000 per adult and €10,000 per child to move there, with the intention of attracting new residents to the area.
Albinen is located on Rhone Valley’s sunnier side and is considered one of Valais’ most beautiful villages.
The village is situated in the Swiss Alps, and from Valais, you can reach Albinen by traveling by car for 41.2 kilometers. It will take 58 minutes via Route 9.
The village is far from uninhabitable—it’s beautiful, clean, and has unbeatable scenery—but unfortunately, the job market is virtually nonexistent.
To combat this issue, the Swiss Government is willing to pay people to move there.
Families of four can expect to be paid about €25,000 per adult and €10,000 per child.
To be eligible for the scheme, you have to move to Albinen and rent or buy a house and you must also live there full-time for at least ten years.
With its traditional Swiss architecture, quiet lifestyle, and low cost of living, the village sits in the scenic shadows of the famously majestic Matterhorn Mountain.
As with all big decisions, it’s always recommended you thoroughly look into all possible challenges, visa requirements, and country-specific laws on foreign property ownership before making the leap to move abroad.
But, whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat, a thriving community, or a chance to immerse yourself in a new way of life, these and other types of incentive programs can pave the way for an exciting and fulfilling expat adventure in Europe.
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