Have you ever dreamed of moving to a foreign country? Maybe you’ve dreamt of moving to a quiet town in Greece, Italy, or Switzerland. Lucky for you it’s possible.
Many countries have special programs that invite you to live in their country for a given stipend, which essential means you’ll get paid to live in your dream destination. These programs are often put into place when a particular town or location has a dwindling population. Local governments are desperate to repopulate these locations or attract workers, and they invite foreigners to inhabit them to rebuild the community and economy. Oftentimes, they offer monetary incentive.
Italy
Let’s start with an obvious dream destination. Many can only imagine a life spent in Italy eating pasta, exploring the countryside, learning the beautiful language. Here, in a town called Candela, there is a desperate population problem. Like all Italian towns, the architecture here is ancient and gorgeous, once home to a lovely community and economy. To bring back the town’s spirit, the mayor has offered a 800 euro incentive for individuals to move there, and 2000 euros for families of four or more. Euronews reported earlier this year that relocating to a town in the southern Italian region of Calabria, where the population is 2,000 or fewer, can earn you up to 28,000 Euro. However, you must be 40 years old or younger so it’s guaranteed you’ll live in the town for a while.
New Zealand
New Zealand is famous for it’s beautiful rolling landscapes that have been featured in some of the highest grossing fantasy films in history, including Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Chronicles of Narnia. So it will be no surprise that this country has fantastical places to see. Here a program called the New Zealand Global Impact Visa offers funds to those who are starting businesses (up to $3,600) along with a one-year visa.
Denmark
Copenhagen is often considered one of the most livable cities in the world. Now, to build its economic reputation, it is inviting global businesses to base there. So if you’re looking to start a business, consider accepting Denmark’s monetary incentive (up to $50,000) and relocate to one of the happiest countries in the world with free healthcare, no student debt ,and plenty of benefits that will make your life easier.
Spain
In Spain, entreprenuers can also find up to $50,000 incentives and a one-year visa. Euronews reports that the Spanish village of Rubia in the region of Galicia will pay you 150 Euro/month to live there, and Pongo, a 600-person mountain town in the northwest of Spain will pay British people specifically almost 3,000 Euro to relocate there.
Switzerland
Switzerland is known to be one of the most expensive countries in the world, so it should be no surprise that Albinen in the Swiss Alps likely has one of the best monetary incentives of all. It’s offering to give families up to 50,000 Euros to move there. If you are an adult under 45, you’ll receive around 25,000 Euros and then 10,000 for each child you bring along. It’s a great deal right.
Japan
Since 2015, the small village of Mishima which spans across three of Japan’s southern islands has been offering new residents a monthly allowance to move there. Offers are up to $800 per month for three years and potentially more if you bring your family, and a lump sum of up to $2,000 for relocation. This offer may be too good to refuse, but those who wish to take advantage of it must be under the age of 55.
Click here to discover more places that will pay you to move there.
Featured Image: Copenhagen, Denmark (Photo by Mark Oleksiy)