From a free house on a Greek island to grants worth up to £72,800 in Ireland, a number of countries are offering financial incentives to new residents

13:09, Fri, Apr 24, 2026 Updated: 13:20, Fri, Apr 24, 2026

Potamos village with the port and the colorful fishing boats sailing in the turquoise sea waters in Antikythera island in Greece

You could get paid to move to a Greek Island (stock image) (Image: Getty)

If you're contemplating leaving life in the UK behind for pastures new but lack the funds to make it happen, you could be in luck. A number of countries are offering financial incentives to attract new residents. These grants are provided as part of wider efforts to breathe new life into communities, or to bring vacant and run-down properties back into use.

However, they frequently come with a set of conditions attached, including a commitment to staying there for a specified number of years - though when you're relaxing in your own garden on a Greek island, that may not feel like too great a sacrifice. One social media account, Emotionally Perfect, outlined some of the available deals on Instagram.

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Greece

The remote island of Antikythera has an offer that almost sounds too good to be true - a free house and £433 a month just to move there. The scheme, through which families are paid €500 per month for three years, is intended to revitalise the community on the island, reports the Mirror.

The scheme is particularly targeted at families with children, with priority given to those working in trades such as craftsmen, farmers, bakers, fishermen, and construction workers.

Switzerland

The village of Albinen is offering £18,800 to families who relocate there, plus an extra £9,400 per child. The deal offers 20,000 Swiss Francs to relocate to the location.

Families with children will also receive an additional 10,000 Swiss Francs per child. However, this is a lengthy commitment — you must be under 45 to qualify and agree to reside there for 10 years.

Your new property must also be valued at more than 200,000 Swiss Francs, equivalent to around £188,000.The offer additionally requires you to become a Swiss citizen, or to hold a permanent settlement document known as a C-permit.

Ireland

In a bid to breathe new life into abandoned and derelict buildings, the Irish Government is offering grants of up to £72,800 to purchase and renovate properties. Amounts for mainland properties are the equivalent of £43,000 (€50,000) for an empty building, or £60,000 (€70,000) if it is derelict.

For those situated on off-shore islands, this rises to £72,800 (€84,000) for a derelict building, or £52,000 (€60,000) if it is empty. Grants to cover elements of the refurbishment work are also on offer.

The property must have sat vacant for a minimum of two years and been constructed before 2008. You must also either reside in it yourself or rent it out. The money must be repaid should the home be sold within 10 years, or if it is rented out when you had previously agreed to live there.

Spain

Several rural locations across Spain are offering grants or monthly payments to attract new residents. For instance, grants equivalent to just under £13,000 (€15,000) are available to those committing to live in the Ambroz region for at least two years.

The village of Rubia will pay people relocating there between £86 and £130 (€100-€150) per month, with various other incentives also available.

Chile

In an effort to attract investment, the Chilean government provides equity-free grants worth up to £74,000 to technology-based start-ups that establish themselves in the South American country. The scheme is open to applicants from any nation, and also includes a two-year work visa.

Participants are additionally granted access to mentors and networking opportunities, along with office space.

Two further countries also provide varying financial incentives for relocating to specific regions, including one where a property can be purchased for under £1.

Italy

In an effort to breathe new life into struggling towns and villages as young people head to larger cities in search of work, Italy offers the chance to purchase abandoned or derelict homes in certain parts of the country for just €1 - or 88p. However, the deal comes with a number of conditions attached.

The properties available must be in need of substantial repair and renovation, meaning buyers will ultimately end up spending considerably more in the long run. That said, the final sum may still be significantly lower than purchasing a new ready-to-move-in home would have been.

Buyers are also required to complete all renovation work within three years. Individual areas also have their own specific rules, such as using the property as a primary residence rather than as a holiday retreat or a B&B.

Japan

Japan similarly operates its own scheme whereby families are offered the equivalent of £4,600 per child to relocate to a rural area. The initiative provides families with one million yen per child to move to one of the declining towns and villages outside Tokyo.

To qualify, at least one family member must be employed by a company in the new location or have plans to launch their own business from home. Those retaining their existing jobs while working remotely are also eligible, provided they commit to remaining in the area for a minimum of five years. Should the family depart within that period, the funds must be repaid.

Furthermore, the scheme is exclusively open to current Tokyo residents — anyone relocating directly to one of the towns and villages participating in the scheme will not be eligible to apply.