You’ve seen the headlines. They’re everywhere. "Get Paid $90,000 to Move to an Island!" or "Buy a House in Italy for One Euro!" It sounds like a fever dream or a very specific type of internet scam.
But honestly? It’s real. Sorta.
The catch—and there is always a catch—is that these countries aren't just handing out bags of cash because they like your face. They are desperate. Not for money, but for people. For life. For kids in the schools and shops that stay open past noon.
If you’re actually looking for countries paying to move there, you need to stop looking at the glossy brochures and start looking at the fine print. 2026 has changed the game. Remote work is no longer a "new" trend; it’s the baseline. Because of that, the competition between small towns to lure you in has gotten aggressive.
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The Irish Island Dream: More Than Just a Free House
Ireland’s "Our Living Islands" policy is probably the one you’ve heard the most about lately. It’s a 10-year strategy, but the current action plan runs straight through 2026. They are offering grants of up to €84,000.
Wait. Don’t pack your bags yet.
This money isn't a "welcome to the neighborhood" check you can spend on a new Guinness-themed wardrobe. It’s a renovation grant. Specifically, it’s part of the Croí Cónaithe scheme. To get the full €84,000, you have to buy a property on one of about 30 offshore islands—places like Inis Mór or Arranmore—that has been vacant for at least two years and is "derelict."
Derelict is a nice way of saying "the roof might be in the living room."
The government wants these 2,700-year-old communities to survive. If you are a remote worker who doesn't mind the Atlantic wind howling through your windows while you fix the plumbing, it’s a steal. But you have to prove the property was built before 1993. You have to prove you’re actually going to live there. It's a massive commitment.
Italy’s Smart Working Revolution
Italy has moved past the "1 Euro House" gimmick. They realized that selling a crumbling stone hut to someone who never visits doesn't help the local butcher.
So, in late 2025, they doubled down on the "Legge sulla Montagna" (Mountain Law).
If you move to a mountain municipality with fewer than 5,000 residents, the government is offering major social security relief for companies that hire you. Basically, they want you to bring your job with you. Towns like Radicondoli in Tuscany are even subsidizing rent—sometimes covering 50% of your costs for the first two years.
Imagine waking up in the Tuscan hills, knowing your rent is cheaper than a parking spot in Brooklyn.
Sardinia is another big player. They’ve been offering grants of up to €15,000 to people moving to towns with under 3,000 people. The rule here? You have to stay for five years. If you leave early, you’re cutting a check back to the Italian government. Honestly, given the food in Sardinia, five years might not be long enough.
The Swiss Village of Albinen: The High-Stakes Bet
If you want the big money, you go to Switzerland. But the Swiss do nothing without rules.
The village of Albinen is famous for offering 25,000 Swiss Francs (roughly $28,000) per adult and 10,000 per child. For a family of four, that’s a life-changing amount of cash.
But here is where most people get it wrong.
You can’t just show up with a suitcase. You must be under 45 years old. You must buy a house worth at least 200,000 Swiss Francs. Most importantly, you need a Permit C. This is the Swiss permanent residency permit. Unless you’ve already lived in Switzerland for five to ten years, or you’re an EU/EFTA citizen with some years under your belt, you probably won't qualify for the grant.
It’s not a "move to Switzerland" incentive. It’s a "stay in this specific tiny village instead of moving to Zurich" incentive.
Why Ponga, Spain is Kinda Complicated
Spain is littered with villages that are basically ghost towns. Ponga, in the Asturias region, became a viral sensation for offering €3,000 to couples.
Is it still active in 2026? It’s... patchy.
Small Spanish municipalities often run these programs in "waves." One year they have the budget; the next, they’re full. Instead of betting on one specific town, look at platforms like Holapueblo. They act as a matchmaker between remote workers and dying villages.
Extremadura, a region in western Spain, has been much more consistent. They’ve offered up to €10,000 for tech workers and digital nomads to move there. The cost of living is so low that €10,000 feels like double that. You get the sun, the jamón, and a high-speed fiber connection in a town where the average age is 70.
The Reality of Antikythera, Greece
This is the one that sounds like a movie. A tiny Greek island with turquoise water and 45 residents. They offer €500 a month for three years, free housing, and free food.
The Greek Orthodox Church is the one driving this. They want families. They want bakers. They want fishermen.
However, as of early 2026, the housing construction has faced massive administrative delays. There’s a waiting list. Also, you have to realize what you’re signing up for. There is one shop. One doctor. No banks. In the winter, the ferry might not come for days if the sea is rough. It is beautiful, but it is isolated.
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Non-European Options: Chile and the US
If Europe isn't your vibe, there are other routes.
Chile has been running "Start-Up Chile" for years, and in 2026, it’s still the gold standard for entrepreneurs. They don't just pay you to live there; they pay you to build. You can get equity-free grants ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 and a one-year "work visa" that's incredibly easy to get compared to the US or UK.
Speaking of the US, the trend of cities paying remote workers is booming.
- Tulsa Remote: They give you $10,000 and a desk at a coworking space. It’s been so successful that it’s sparked clones all over the Midwest.
- Choose Topeka: Up to $15,000 if you buy a home in this Kansas capital.
- The Shoals, Alabama: They’ll give you $10,000, paid out in stages to make sure you don't just take the money and run.
What You Need to Know Before You Leap
Don't let the "free money" blind you. Moving to a foreign country—or even a different state—is a tax nightmare.
If you’re a US citizen, the IRS still wants their cut of that grant money. If you move to Italy, you need to understand the "impatriate" tax regimes, which can actually save you a lot of money (taxing only 50% of your income for five years), but only if you set it up correctly before you arrive.
You also need to consider the "social cost."
Being the only 30-year-old in a Spanish village of 200 people sounds romantic for a month. By month six, you might be desperate for a coffee shop that stays open past 2 PM or someone your own age to talk to. These programs exist because the locals left. They left for a reason. Usually, it's a lack of jobs, infrastructure, or social life.
Actionable Steps for Your Move
Stop dreaming and start auditing. If you’re serious about finding countries paying to move there, follow this sequence:
- Check Your Residency Status: If you don't have an EU passport, your options in Europe are limited to places with Digital Nomad Visas (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece) or startup incentives.
- Audit Your Job: 90% of these programs require you to be a remote worker or start a local business. If your boss requires you in the office once a month, a Greek island is a no-go.
- Contact the "Ayuntamiento" or "Comune" Directly: Don't rely on travel blogs. Email the local town hall. Programs change monthly based on local budgets.
- Visit in the Winter: Every village looks great in July. Go to Albinen in January when it’s buried in snow, or Antikythera in November when the tourists are gone. If you still love it then, you’re ready.
- Hire a Local Tax Expert: This is the most boring but important advice. One mistake with your tax residency can cost you way more than the €15,000 grant you received.
The money is there, but it's a trade. You are trading your presence, your taxes, and your energy to help save a piece of culture that is disappearing. If you’re okay with that trade, 2026 is the best year yet to make the move.