These Countries Will Pay You to Move There

1. Switzerland (Albinen)

Albinen is a picturesque Swiss village that offers appealing relocation incentives to workers and families. As of 2023, it has a population of 262. All the villagers have a very close relationship, making it a friendly, welcoming environment for families and workers.

Incentives offered:

• Families of four can receive approximately $66,000 up to (60,000 Swiss francs). Approximately $27,500 per adult (25,000 Swiss francs) and approximately $11,000 (10,000 Swiss francs per child).
• Non-Swiss residents are required to buy a home worth approximately $221,000 (200,00 Swiss francs), stay for at least 10 years, and obtain Swiss citizenship.

Furthermore, the country has a strong economy and business-friendly atmosphere. This makes Switzerland an appealing destination for companies that are searching for global talent. Take a look at this comprehensive guide to labor laws and employment in Switzerland.

Top 2 attractions nearby:

• Jungfrau: With a 4.8-star rating on Trip.com and at an altitude of 3,454 meters, this destination offers a panoramic view of snow-capped peaks and involves a scenic train ride through picturesque landscapes that the whole family can enjoy. Guests can enjoy the observation deck and Ice Palace once at the summit. Be sure to dress warm, as it can be very cold and windy once you reach the top.
• First: It has a 4.7-star rating, the scenery is beautiful, and you can take the cable car and hike up the rest of the mountain.

2. Spain

Spain is a gorgeous country, and each area has its own unique local culture and taste. Some areas are not well after the transition from agricultural to urban society during the late 20th century. Many people left their homes in the villages to move to big cities. These homes are standing empty and need TLC. This is why local councils have decided to offer incentives to skilled people to move there.

To boost the population, the government of Extremadura is offering €15,000, approximately $16,600, to outboard personnel who are willing to relocate to a rural area in Spain for at least two years.

Furthermore, these two beautiful destinations in Spain have offered the following incentives:

• Ponga Asturias: As of 2018, Ponga had a population of 598. They offer families €3,000 to settle into their new home and an additional €3,000 for each baby born in the town. 
• Rubiá: A local township in the mountains of Galicia will complement your income with an extra €100-150 per month.

3. Chile

Santiago is the capital of Chile, which runs like a ribbon down the west coast of South America, and the official language is Spanish. Chile has beautiful cities, mountains, forests, oceans, and deserts that appeal to all ages.

If you are interested in immigrating overseas and would like to start your own business, then Chile could be your best location. A program in Santiago known as Start-Up Chile offers funds to entrepreneurs. By utilizing this program, you could receive a one-year visa and up to $80,000 in equity-free funding. There are three tiers in the program: growth, build, and ignite. Each tier is designed for different businesses and start-ups. Furthermore, this program supports approximately 100 start-ups each year. It’s best to investigate and plan early to avoid losing a spot. 

4. Greece

In the early 20^th century, Antikythera had 300 residents, and today it is a small island with a population of approximately 50 residents. It is surrounded by gorgeous beaches and promises a peaceful lifestyle. The Greek Orthodox Church offers families with three or more children approximately $542.11 (€500) per month for the first three years to reside on the island.

In addition, the cost of living is low; however, the only downside is that there is no bank, only one shop, and one doctor. If you are interested, you would need to apply to the Antikythera local council, providing reasons for wanting to move, your background, and how you would contribute to the community. They are currently seeking people with skills or trade, for example, fishing, farming, or baking.

5. Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful scenic island located in the North Atlantic Ocean in northwestern Europe. As of 2022, it has a population of just over 7 million residents, ranking as the second most-populated island in Europe. Ireland is family-friendly, with many restaurants, beaches, museums, and national parks that everyone can enjoy.

Irish people’s lives are similar to most European countries. Storytelling, music, and folk arts are an important part of Irish culture, and going to the pub is often a popular affair. Although many people have relocated to cities, agriculture is still a major business.

In order to boost the population, the Irish government has offered homebuyers willing to move to Ireland grants of up to $92,000 (€84,000). These funds are to be used to renovate an abandoned building on one of the islands. According to the government, those who want to do repairs on a vacant building can get approximately $67,000 (€60,000). As you can see, Ireland will not pay you to move there, but they can offer you a grant to buy a property. You can find out more about who can qualify and the rules and regulations here.

6. Canada

If you are looking for a new dream filled with adventure and the opportunity to embrace the outdoors, then Canada will be a great start. Canada has their arms wide open when it comes to welcoming foreigners. The country is filled with friendly people; they offer free health care, beautiful landscapes, and it’s a safe place to call home.

Canada will pay you to move there, but you need to be a student. Students can earn approximately the following in tuition fee reimbursement:

• $14,374.37 (CAD$20,000) for four years of study.
• $10,780.38 (CAD$15,000) for three years of study.
• $4,599.56 (CAD$6,400) for a two- or three-year diploma.
• $2,155.53 (CAD$3,000) for one year.

Students need to apply for Saskatchewan’s Graduate Retention Program, and graduates must obtain an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate from an approved Canadian education facility and plan to live in Saskatchewan.

There are plenty of things to keep you entertained in Saskatchewan, such as the Chicago Connection Tour, Bunker 24, Passage To Fortune Tour, walking tours, nature tours, historical tours, farmers markets, and more.

7. Italy

Italy has a rich historical history dating back to the Roman Empire, with a population of over 60 million. The official language is Italian, and the country attracts approximately 60 million visitors each year who look forward to eating Italian cuisine, viewing historical buildings, and more.

Many of the smaller communities in Italy are feeling their population decline, so councils have put a plan into action to offer grants for housing in certain villages. These grants vary depending on the area and whether you will renovate or buy the home. The homes need to be a primary residence and cannot be leased out.

8. Denmark

As of 2024, Denmark has a population of 5,985,645 million and is situated in the European region. It comprises more than 400 North Sea islands and the Jutland Peninsula. The official language is Danish, and it is almost twice the size of Massachusetts. The people are known as Danes and are blue-eyed, tall, and blonde. Their main means of transportation is a bicycle, and a common lunch is an open sandwich made with spreads, cheese, and cold meat on a piece of dark rye bread. This type of sandwich is called a smørrebrød.

Denmark is a supportive country, and the people are very kind and welcoming and can assist you with the best upbringing for your children.

Furthermore, if you are an entrepreneur, the government provides a wonderful Start-up support program that welcomes businesses in life science, cleantech, tech, and design. Should they approve your business plan, you can receive approximately ($20,864) 143,328 DKK of funding. Should you have a spouse or children join you, the funds will increase, and you will also receive healthcare. If you’re looking to make a move to Europe, this program is a wonderful option to consider.

9. New Zealand

This beautiful, stunning country is an island country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is composed of two major landmasses, the South Island and the North Island, including over 700 smaller islands. As of October 2024, it has a population of 5,420,800 million residents. New Zealanders are often referred to as Kiwis. Most of the land animals are birds, and they have lost their ability to fly. In addition, New Zealand has many child-friendly experiences and countless activities that one can do.

While the country is still growing, some areas, such as the small town of Kaitangata, need more inhabitants. As of June 2024, the small town only has 820 residents. While many websites have claimed that the council offers special packages worth $165,000 for new residents who take up jobs, this is not true. You can read more about this topic here. There are certain steps involved in immigrating, and one needs to apply first. For those able to immigrate, the town of Kaitangata offers cheap housing and has job vacancies available. As the housing is cheaper, this will allow for the town to grow and increase its population. 

10. England

England is located on the island of Great Britain, and there is so much to see and do. There are plenty of family-friendly activities suitable for all ages. As of 2023, it has a population of 57.7 million people. The United Kingdom offers decent public health care and living opportunities with lucrative job opportunities for experts and international students.

If you have considered living in England, the good news is that they could pay up to £10,000 for you to move there. The United Kingdom is renowned for having world-class educational systems, and they currently have a shortage of teachers. The reason for this is that the population is growing incredibly faster than new teachers can be recruited. A new pilot scheme known as the International Relocation Payment (IRP) has been put into place. This program is for non-UK trainee teachers as well as foreign-qualified teachers of physics and languages. The program is open to teachers planning to move to England to work and for those not living in the United Kingdom.

Finally, this program is designed to cover the costs of visas, immigration health surcharges, and other relocation expenses to help you settle into your new surroundings. It supports teachers from all over the world, and the costs do not need to be repaid.