Countries Pay People Thousands to Move—Here's Where and Why
As the cost of living remains stubbornly high, many people might be looking for a lifestyle that could bring them more money.
Fortunately, there are several countries across the world that pay individuals for relocating.
Many have already decided to move abroad, and a whopping 693,000 people emigrated from the UK in the year to June 2025, according to ONS figures. The number of people leaving the US is also at record highs.
A change of culture, lower living costs and different career opportunities pull plenty overseas.
Here are all of the countries where you could possibly end up earning money from if they moved there.
Chile
Entrepreneurs could find a new home in Chile through its Start-Up Chile incentive.
Supported by the government, the programme is more focused on building a business in the country rather than relocation but could see migrants given thousands if they are successful in the venture.
Although the funding varies, some have been reported to receive between $15,000 (£11,300) to $80,000 (£60,400) in support for their start-up as well as mentorship, Forbes reports.
Croatia
Small towns in Croatia have offered extremely cheap property incentives for people to move there in the past.
In 2024, the Daily Mail reported how Legrad, a town and beauty spot in northern Croatia, was offering houses for sale for just 10p.
The area started the initiative in 2018 in a bid to get more people to settle there.
Once the second-biggest population centre in Croatian territory, Legrad had become home to just around 2,000 people after watching its population dwindle since the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918, when new borders left it sidelined.
To be eligible to purchase one of the houses, applicants had to be under 45, in a marital or extramarital partnership, and have no criminal record.
Prospective buyers also were not allowed to own another property, although it was not clear if this means in Croatia or anywhere else in the world.
Since the programme started in 2018, there are now more children than there were several years ago, according to local media outlet HRT.
Other incentives have involved the Croatian government paying for 50 per cent of home renovation costs.
Greece
If a life on a sunny island is for you, Antikythera could be the place to go.
The dreamy Greek island has fewer than 50 residents and offers an initiative that gives €500 (£434.13) a month for three years.
It's designed to bring families over to the area who might settle down long term and make it their home.
Located between Crete and Kythira, the island is just 20 square miles in size.
Ireland
Or, if renovating a derelict building on a remote Irish island appeals to you, Ireland might have a just the right programme.
The country's 'Our Living Islands' policy was launched in 2023 and aims to help off-shore islands thrive and further build their communities.
Under the strategy, anyone who renovates an abandoned property on the island could receive support through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant up to a certain amount.
It has been developed to help promote long-term moves to the areas.
Italy
Brits could also relocate to picturesque Italian locations and get paid for it.
The stunning European nation, which is visited by 57 million tourists from around the world every year, offers families £23,000 ($30,000) to move to the idyllic regions of Sardinia and Calabria.
The offer is a move from the Italian government to repopulate areas of the nation that are seeing populations decline due to an exodus of young Italians moving to larger cities or overseas for work - meaning the towns from which they hail are somewhat left behind.
In response to the decline, the government is inviting overseas citizens to move to Italy - but they will only receive the £23,000 if they choose to live in one of nine small villages with a population of 2,000 people or fewer.
Japan
Japan is paying people to move to its rural areas in a bid to keep them populated and thriving.
It applies to those living in the Greater Tokyo area who are willing to relocate to certain municipalities.
Under the Regional Revitalization Migration Support Grant, people can receive up to ¥1,000,000 (£4,734) per individual, or ¥3,000,000 (£14,202) per household.
It aims to redistribute the population with nearly 40 per cent of citizens living in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagaya.
Mauritius
The dreamy island offers 20,000 Mauritian Rupees (£322) for those willing to move there and start up a business.
The process involves presenting the business plan and idea to a committee who then approve.
Spain
Various quiet spots in Spain have offered incentives to move to the area to help revitalise it.
One programme, called 'Live in Ambroz' attempts to invite people to live in Extremadura, a region in western Spain that borders Portugal.
Under the scheme, digital nomads can apply for grants of up to €15,000 (£13,000) to move there for at least two years.
Switzerland
Albinen, a town located in Switzerland, offers 25,000 Swiss francs (£23,600) per adult in a family of four, and 10,000 Swiss francs per child (£9,400) to relocate there.
The small village has been threatened with extinction for some time as an increasing number of residents are moving out of the rural picturesque community in favour of surrounding cities.
Those planning to move must buy a property worth at least 200,000 Swiss francs (£189,000) and live in the area for 10 years.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Sleep Maxxing Trends and Tips: New Zealanders Seek Better Rest
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Life Expectancy Soars, But Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Pose Concern
