You’ve probably seen the headlines. They’re everywhere on TikTok and Instagram, usually featuring a misty shot of a stone cottage or a rugged cliffside in Donegal. The hook is always the same: "Ireland will pay you $92,000 to move there!" It sounds like a dream, honestly. Who wouldn't want to trade a soul-crushing commute for a life of Guinness and rolling green hills, especially if the Irish government is footing the bill?
But here’s the thing.
The internet is kinf of lying to you. Well, maybe not lying, but definitely stretching the truth until it’s thin enough to see through. If you're looking for information on being paid to move to Ireland, you need to understand the difference between a "relocation incentive" and a "renovation grant." Most of those viral posts are talking about the Our Living Islands policy, which was launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
It isn't a "here is a check for moving into a house" deal. Not even close.
What the "Our Living Islands" Scheme Actually Is
Let’s get the math out of the way first. The big number everyone quotes—€84,000—is real, but it’s the maximum amount available under the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant specifically for offshore islands.
Ireland has around 30 offshore islands that aren't connected to the mainland by bridges. Think Inis Mór, Bere Island, or Arranmore. These places are stunning, but they’re also struggling. Populations are aging, and schools are fighting to stay open. To fix this, the government is trying to lure people back to these remote spots.
But you don't just get the cash for showing up with a suitcase.
First, you have to buy a property. And not just any house. The building must have been vacant for at least two years and built before 2008. If the house is just "vacant," you might get €60,000. If it’s "derelict"—meaning it’s structurally unsound or a literal ruin—that’s when the €84,000 kicks in.
You spend the money first. You hire the contractors. You fix the roof. Then, after the work is inspected and verified by the local authority, the government reimburses you. Basically, you need to be somewhat wealthy to afford to be "paid" to move. It’s a massive financial hurdle that most "digital nomad" influencers conveniently leave out of their 30-second clips.
The Reality of Island Living
Have you ever tried to get a plumber to come to an island during a gale in January?
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It’s hard.
Living on an Irish island is a specific lifestyle choice. It’s not just about cozy sweaters. It’s about ferry schedules. It’s about the fact that if you run out of milk and the boat isn't running because the sea is too rough, you’re just not having milk in your tea today.
The Our Living Islands policy isn't just about money, though. It’s a ten-year strategy. The government is also promising better high-speed broadband—which is actually happening through the National Broadband Plan—and improved healthcare access via e-health hubs. They know that if you can't Zoom into a meeting, you aren't moving to Inis Meáin.
But there’s a catch.
You generally need to have the right to live and work in Ireland already. If you’re an EU citizen, you’re golden. If you’re from the US, Canada, or elsewhere, the grant doesn't give you a visa. You still have to navigate the Department of Justice and the Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service (INIS). You might qualify through a Critical Skills Employment Permit or perhaps a Stamp 4 if you have Irish ancestry, but the grant itself is not a golden ticket to residency.
Other Ways to Get "Paid" to Move (The Business Route)
If you aren't into fixing up old ruins on a windswept island, there are other ways the Irish state effectively subsidizes your move, mostly through Enterprise Ireland.
This is for the entrepreneurs.
The High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) program is a big deal. If you have a tech company that can create 10 jobs and hit €1 million in sales within three or four years, Enterprise Ireland might drop serious equity investment into your lap. We are talking €50,000 to €100,000 or more.
They also have the Exploring Business Opportunities Strategy. It’s more of a "startup grant" than a "move to Ireland grant," but for many founders, it’s the financial cushion that makes the relocation possible.
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Then there’s the STEP (Start-up Entrepreneur Programme).
This is a specific visa pathway. It allows non-EEA nationals with a great business idea and €50,000 in funding to move to Ireland. While the government isn't giving you that €50k (you have to bring it yourself), they are giving you something arguably more valuable: the legal right to live in one of the most stable, pro-business economies in the world.
Why the Irish Government is Doing This
Ireland is a victim of its own success. Dublin is incredibly expensive. Like, "San Francisco prices" expensive. The city is choked. Meanwhile, the West of Ireland and the islands have space, beauty, and tradition, but they lack people.
The government is terrified of "rural flight."
When a village loses its post office and its pub, the village dies. By offering these grants, they are trying to rebalance the scales. They want young families and remote workers to bring life back to these areas. It’s a gamble. They are betting that if they provide the cash to fix the houses and the fiber-optic cables to provide the internet, people will choose the Atlantic over the Liffey.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
Let’s talk about the "derelict" part of the derelict property grant.
Renovating a pre-2008 house in Ireland is a nightmare right now. Material costs have skyrocketed. Construction labor is at a premium. That €84,000 might cover a new roof, windows, and some insulation, but it won't cover a full gut-reno of a stone cottage that hasn't been lived in since the 1970s.
You will likely spend double the grant amount just to make the place livable.
And then there's the tax.
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Generally, these grants aren't taxed as income, but you need to keep meticulous records. If you sell the house within ten years, you might have to pay back a pro-rata portion of the grant to the local authority. This isn't a "flip and run" scheme. It’s a "stay and contribute" scheme.
How to Actually Apply Without Losing Your Mind
If you are serious about being paid to move to Ireland via the island renovation route, you don't start with a plane ticket. You start with the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant application form from the local county council (like Donegal, Mayo, or Galway County Council).
- Find the house first. You can't apply for the grant without a specific property in mind. Websites like Daft.ie or MyHome.ie are your best friends here. Look for "derelict" or "needs modernization" in the search filters.
- Prove vacancy. You need utility bills or affidavits showing the place has been empty for two years. This is sometimes the hardest part.
- Get a surveyor. Do not skip this. Irish damp is a unique beast. It can eat through a bank account faster than a hole in a pocket.
- Tax clearance. You need to be tax-compliant in Ireland to get the money.
Is it Worth It?
Honestly? It depends on your "why."
If you are doing it because you think you’re getting a free house, you’re going to be disappointed and probably broke. The bureaucratic hurdles are high. The weather is often grey. The "island time" mentality can be frustrating if you’re used to 24-hour convenience.
But if you actually want a different pace of life? If you want to be part of a community where everyone knows your name and the scenery looks like a cinematic masterpiece every time the sun breaks through the clouds?
Then it’s a brilliant opportunity.
Ireland is one of the few countries actively putting its money where its mouth is regarding rural decline. They are literally handing you the capital to preserve a piece of Irish heritage. Just go in with your eyes open.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
- Check your eligibility for an Irish Passport. If you have a grandparent born on the island of Ireland, you can get Irish citizenship through the Foreign Births Register. This makes the whole process 10x easier because you won't need a work visa.
- Research the "Croí Cónaithe" (Town Centres) Scheme. This is the mainland version of the island grant. It offers up to €50,000 for vacant homes and €70,000 for derelict ones in towns and villages. It’s much easier than moving to an island.
- Visit in November. Don't visit in July when the sun is out and the tourists are everywhere. Go when it’s raining and dark at 4:00 PM. If you still love the idea of living there then, you’re ready.
- Join local Facebook groups. Look for groups like "Arranmore Island" or "Living in West Cork." People there will tell you the truth about what contractors are charging and which islands have the best schools.
- Consult an Irish tax professional. If you are moving a business or have significant assets, the tax implications of moving to Ireland are complex. Look into the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) if you are being relocated by a company, as it can significantly reduce your tax burden.
The dream of being paid to move to Ireland is partially a marketing myth, but the underlying reality—a government desperate for new blood in its most beautiful corners—is a genuine opportunity for the right person. Just make sure you bring a very good raincoat.