Ireland Paying to Move to Island: The Truth About the $92,000 Grant

You've probably seen the headlines. They’re everywhere. "Ireland will pay you $90,000 to move to a remote island!" It sounds like a dream, right? You quit your soul-crushing 9-to-5, pack a chunky knit sweater, and suddenly you’re staring at the Atlantic while a government check clears in your bank account.

But honestly, that’s not exactly how it works.

The internet has a way of turning nuanced government policies into clickbait fantasies. The reality of ireland paying to move to island is actually part of a very specific, ten-year strategy called "Our Living Islands." It’s not a "move here and we'll give you cash for existing" scheme. It’s a "save this crumbling stone cottage before the roof falls in" scheme.

If you’re looking for a free paycheck, you won't find it here. If you’re looking to sweat, bleed, and potentially cry over a 100-year-old derelict property on a windswept rock, then yeah, you might actually get some serious funding.

What is the Our Living Islands policy actually about?

Let's get the facts straight. The Irish government isn't just handing out envelopes of cash at the ferry pier. This initiative is about survival. There are roughly 30 islands off the coast of Ireland that are cut off from the mainland by the tide every single day. No bridges. No causeways. Just you and the Atlantic.

These communities are the heart of Irish culture and the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking areas), but they’ve been shrinking for decades. Young people leave for Dublin or London. Schools close. Shops vanish. To stop this, the government launched a policy that runs through 2033.

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The Financials: Breaking down the €84,000

The "payday" everyone talks about is actually an extension of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (Croí Cónaithe). Because building on an island is a logistical nightmare—think about hauling bags of cement on a small ferry during a gale—the government gives you a 20% "island bonus" on top of the mainland grants.

• Vacant Properties: If you buy a house on one of the 23 qualifying islands that has been empty for at least two years, you can get up to €60,000 ($65,000-ish).
• Derelict Properties: If the place is structurally unsound (we’re talking "trees growing through the living room" level), the grant jumps to €84,000 ($92,000-ish).

The "Catches" nobody mentioned on TikTok

You can't just buy a house, take the money, and flip it. You also can't turn it into a summer Airbnb.

One of the biggest rules is that the house must be your principal private residence or a long-term rental. If you try to sell it within ten years, the government wants their money back. Usually, you have to pay back the full amount if you sell within five years, and a pro-rata amount if you sell between five and ten years.

Also, it’s a reimbursement.

This is where people get stuck. You need the money upfront to do the work. You submit your invoices, the council inspector comes out to see that you actually fixed the roof and didn't just buy a fancy espresso machine, and then the grant is paid out. It is a slow, bureaucratic process.

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Who actually qualifies?

Kinda anyone, but with a massive asterisk.

You don't have to be Irish to apply for the grant. However—and this is a big however—the grant does not give you a visa. If you’re from the US, Canada, or anywhere outside the EU/EEA, you still have to navigate the nightmare of Irish immigration. Owning a house doesn't automatically mean you have the right to live in it full-time. Most non-EU citizens would need a work permit or be "independent of means" (retirees with significant savings) to actually stay.

Real life on the 23 islands

Living on Inis Mór or Clare Island isn't just about the views. It’s about the wind. The horizontal rain. The fact that if you forget to buy milk, you might be waiting for the next ferry.

The islands involved include some legendary spots:

1. Arranmore (Donegal): Rugged, wild, and actually has decent high-speed internet now.
2. The Aran Islands (Galway): Inis Mór, Inis Meáin, and Inis Oírr. This is where The Banshees of Inisherin vibes are real.
3. Bere Island (Cork): Deeply community-focused with a strong military history.
4. Toraigh (Tory) Island: The most remote, with its own "King" and a culture completely unlike the mainland.

I’ve talked to people who have done the "island move." They’ll tell you that the community is incredible. People look out for each other because they have to. But they’ll also tell you that finding a plumber on a Tuesday when the swell is six meters high is basically impossible.

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Is ireland paying to move to island a trap or a dream?

It depends on your definition of "dream."

If you want a modern, easy life with 24-hour delivery and a Starbucks around the corner, stay in the city. This program is for the pioneers. It’s for people who want to work remotely (the government is putting "E-Health pods" and remote working hubs on many islands) and don't mind a bit of isolation.

The construction costs will almost certainly exceed the grant. Angela O’Sullivan, a grant recipient on Bere Island, told The Times that while the grant is fantastic, she put a couple of hundred thousand into her project. The €84,000 is a help—a massive one—but it’s not a "free house."

Things to check before you pack:

• The 2008 Rule: The property must have been built before 2008. (It used to be 1993, but they updated the rules recently).
• The Vacancy Proof: You need utility bills or affidavits proving no one has lived there for 24 months.
• Tax Clearance: You have to have your Irish tax affairs in order. If you're new to the country, this means getting your PPS number and residency sorted first.
• The Timeline: You generally have to finish the work within 13 months of approval, though you can get extensions.

Your next steps if you're serious

Stop looking at the viral posts and start looking at the Irish government's official portals. Specifically, you want to search for the "Croí Cónaithe" application forms on the local county council websites for Donegal, Mayo, Galway, or Cork.

1. Verify your residency status. If you aren't an EU citizen, talk to an immigration lawyer before you buy a pile of stones in County Galway.
2. Find a property. Sites like MyHome.ie or Daft.ie are where you'll find the derelict listings. Look for "island" keywords.
3. Get a structural survey. You need to know exactly how derelict the house is to claim the higher grant amount.
4. Contact the Vacant Homes Officer. Every council has one. They are the gatekeepers of this money and can tell you if a specific house is likely to be approved.

Moving to an Irish island is a life-altering decision. It's beautiful, brutal, and expensive. The grant makes it possible for the average person to save a piece of history, but the real "payment" isn't the money—it's the chance to live in one of the last truly wild places in Europe.