Ever thought you could get paid to move to a country abroad? Yes, that is possible, as there are some countries that wish to attract new residents to meet certain needs. Those needs could be addressed by addressing the shortage of skilled workers, fixing old houses, or encouraging nomads and expats.
So, let’s quickly dig in and explore countries that pay you to move there! But first, let us understand a little why some places will pay you to live there.
Why Do Some Places Pay You to Live There?
One of the sure short reasons that a country would readily invite and pay you to live there is because they want to invest in highly skilled workers.
This can be mainly because these countries do not have enough skilled labor, so they want people to come and bring skilled workers to their localities.
So, if you have enough skills, you have the easiest option to move abroad without the hassle of applying for a visa application and investing money.
Another common reason that a country would invite people to live there and pay you are:
- These countries might have a low population and a dwindling economy.
- They wish to improve their education sector as there have been concerns of ‘brain drain’.
- Such countries might have old homes or dilapidated properties that they are incentivizing people to move there and fix them.
- There are some countries that would want entrepreneurs to move there as they will help in creating local jobs.
Quick-Glance Table: Countries That Pay You to Move There in 2026
A number of countries and small towns now offer financial support or benefits for people willing to relocate.
Each one has its own reason – maybe a shrinking town, a need for workers, or empty homes they want restored. Here’s a closer look at the countries and small regions that currently offer these kinds of relocation incentives.
| Country / Region | Official Program Name | Amount / Incentive Offered | Eligibility Criteria | Stay / Investment Requirements |
| Italy – Candela, Puglia | Relocation Grant | €800 (single) / €2,000 (family) | Permanent move, job or home purchase/renovation | Live full-time in Candela |
| Italy – Sicily | One-Euro Houses | Homes for €1 (renovation cost €15,000) | Must refurbish home | Renovate within ~3 years |
| Italy – Molise | Small Business Grant | €700 | Plan to open a small business | Permanent move |
| Denmark | Start-Up Denmark | Visa + support; funding for approved startups | Non-EU entrepreneurs with approved business plan | Actively run business |
| Canada – Saskatchewan | Graduate Retention Program | CAD $20,000 tuition tax credits/refunds | Graduated from Saskatchewan post-secondary institution | Maintain residency & file taxes for 10 years |
| Switzerland – Albinen | Albinen Relocation Grant | CHF 25,000/person + CHF 10,000/child | Under 45, purchase/renovate home ≥CHF 200,000 | Live full-time for 10 years |
| Chile | Start-Up Chile | CLP 10M–75M (~$14K–68K USD) depending on stage | Tech startups relocating to Santiago | Participate in program; scalable business |
| Spain – Ponga | Relocation Incentive | €3,000 per individual/couple + €3,000 per child | Move and stay in Ponga | Stay ≥5 years |
| Mauritius | Startup Incentives | MUR 20,000 (~$440 USD) | Startup plan approved by Economic Development Board | Business must relocate to Mauritius |
| New Zealand | Affordable Housing Program | Home & land packages ~NZD $165,000 | Commit to move to Kaitangata | Purchase within 1 year |
| Japan | Regional Relocation Incentive | ¥1,000,000/family + ¥1,000,000/child | Live/commute in Tokyo ≥5 yrs; PR or long-term visa | Reside ≥5 yrs in rural municipality |
| Ireland | Our Living Islands | Up to €84,000 | House built before 1993, vacant ≥2 yrs | Refurbish property & live there |
| Greece – Antikythera | Antikythera Relocation Program | Free home + €500/month for 3 yrs | Families, skilled tradespeople | Renovate home & live on island |
| Portugal | Emprego Interior MAIS | Up to €4,827 (grant + moving/freight allowances) | Accept a job or start a business | Move within 180 days; apply within 90 days |
| Sark | Sark Society Relocation Fund | $20,000 + housing assistance | UK/Commonwealth citizens | Commit to live on Sark; UK visa if non-UK |
| Austria | Red-White-Red Card | Relocation support ~$10,000 + 1-year visa | High-skill points-based eligibility | Must have firm job contract |
| Croatia | National Housing Incentives | Subsidized loans up to €150,000 | First-time buyers, entrepreneurs | Commit to local living/working |
16 Countries That Pay You to Move There
So, now you might have gotten a fair idea about why countries pay you and let you move there. Let us learn about the top sixteen places that pay you to live there. Some might be the ideal option if you are a budding entrepreneur, and others might give you those natural landscapes to start a new life.
1. Italy 🇮🇹
Italy has a few municipalities that can pay you to move there- Candela, Sicily and Molise, to name a few. You will be surprised to know that Candela is an urban place that is home to about 2500 people, and its mayor offers €800-2,000 for singles and families to move there.
Talking about Sicily, it is a small town with about 6,000 people and is at a reducing stage due to people moving to larger cities. To increase the population here, the town offers a program called “One Euro Houses“, where they sell abandoned homes for just €1, but you need to refurbish the old homes within three years.
And on the other hand, anyone who decides to move and live in Molise would be granted 700 euros, provided they plan to open a small business.
2. Denmark 🇩🇰
If you are an entrepreneur, a digital nomad or someone looking to start a business abroad, Denmark is where you can plan to relocate. In the program called “Start-Up Denmark“, you’ll be provided with the funding, a two-year visa, and support to entrepreneurs who want to establish a business in Denmark.
While it doesn’t offer direct cash, you gain legal status, access to business support, and the chance to run your startup in a country known for high quality of life. Moving to this primarily coastal country lets you access an excellent education, healthcare, and welfare system.
And if you are a health-conscious freak, then you will be amazed to know that bicycles are a common mode to commute here!
3. Saskatchewan, Canada 🇨🇦
Saskatchewan in Canada offers a “Graduate Retention Program“, which is quite popular and a good choice for students. It is like a retention program that lets you live for 10 years as long as you maintain a residency and file taxes. The program provides you with a tax rebate of about $20,000 to $24,000 to live and work there.
To qualify, you must have graduated from a Saskatchewan post-secondary institution, maintain residency, and file taxes in the province. It’s a long-term incentive that rewards you for staying in Canada.
4. Albinen, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Albinen in Switzerland is a perfect scenic place that offers an ideal life with a stable economy. The municipality pays you around CHF 25,000 (approx. ₹26,00,000 INR) to move in and an additional CHF 10,000 (approx. ₹940,000 INR) if you have children.
Albinen wants more people as it is facing a decline in the young population, but the twist here is that you can only move here if you are under 45 and stay here for at least 10 years.
In addition to that, you must purchase a home worth at least CHF 200,000 (approx. ₹18,700,000 INR).
5. Chile 🇨🇱
Chile doesn’t exactly pay to move to their country; however, they do offer a program called “Start-Up Chile.” In this program, entrepreneurs and tech startups are provided with the funding and support to relocate to Santiago.
Start-Up Chile has three main programs that support startups at different stages:
- Build Program: This program is for the early stage of startups. Here you are offered CLP 15 million (approx. ₹13L INR) and a four-month business acceleration program.
- Ignite Program: This program supports small startups needing expansion assistance, offering around CLP 30 million (approx. ₹27L INR) equity-free fund and an additional CLP 20 million (approx. ₹18L INR) for extension of the business.
- Growth Program: Targeted at advanced startups, it provides CLP 75 million (approx. ₹68L INR) in funding to innovate and build a better community.
6. Ponga Villages of Spain 🇪🇸
Ponga is a small village in Spain that has fewer than 1000 people and is a place where you can earn €3,000. This is a place to move for those who want to have kids and settle in welcoming communities.
Having children here gives you an additional €3,000 incentive, whether they move in or are born in Ponga. To qualify for the full incentives, you’re required to stay there for a minimum of a five-year period. It’s ideal if you want a slower pace, family-friendly community, and a deep connection to local culture.
7. Mauritius 🇲🇺
Do you know that Mauritius offers about MUR 20,000 (approx. ₹38,000 INR) to startup businesses that plan to move there? If you have a startup business and wish to expand it on an island east of Madagascar, you can choose Mauritius.
But the twist is here that you need to present your business idea to a committee and qualify it to show that it would be profitable.
Now don’t think that the country is a deserted island, but it has a lot more to offer, like a thriving economy, high-quality schools and free healthcare for residents.
8. New Zealand 🇳🇿
New Zealand does not actually pay people to move there, but there are certain regions that offer affordable land packages.
If you love this gorgeous country and want to easily move in without spending those extra bucks, you will need to move to Kaitangata.
Kaitangata is a small town in New Zealand that offers affordable house packages for $165,000. From world-class skiing, hiking and green vineyards, the country offers some peaceful landscapes.
9. Korea, Thailand and Vietnam 🇰🇷🇹🇭🇻🇳
South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam usually don’t offer you direct payments to move there. However, they do offer programs and incentives, particularly for those who come from Europe and the US.
Here you can usually get teaching jobs and gradually start your new life in Asia. Programs like EPIK (English Program in Korea) provide you with jobs, salaries, and sometimes even assistance to those who qualify.
All these places offer you rich cultures, a low cost of living and delicious cuisines.
10. Japan 🇯🇵
Japan have been actively encouraging people to leave crowded cities and move to rural areas. There are a few programs that are designed to make this financially attractive:
- Regional Revitalization Program: If you’re interested in working in rural areas, then this program is best. This program pays around ¥3 million ($20,000 USD) to volunteers who commit to live and work in a rural town for at least one year. There’s an option to extend the stay to three years, giving time to become a part of the local community.
- Tokyo Relocation Incentive: This program provides ¥1 million ($7,500 USD) per child for families leaving the Tokyo metropolitan area. This aim is to move residents out of Tokyo and support smaller towns, with a goal of relocating 10,000 people by 2027.
These programs make it possible to enjoy life in traditional Japanese towns while receiving financial help for your move.
11. Ireland 🇮🇪
If you’ve ever dreamed living on a quiet, remote island, Ireland’s Our Living Islands program could be your ticket. This program offers you grant up to €84,000 to buy and renovate old homes on remote islands.
You must reside there and restore the property, helping revive island communities. It’s a unique chance to live surrounded by breathtaking scenery while receiving financial support.
12. Antikythera, Greece 🇬🇷
The Antikythera Relocation Program is supported by the Greek Orthodox Church, provides families financial support who are willing to settle and renovate a home. The families can receive a free house, a plot of land, and a monthly of €500 for three years, which totals around €18,000.
The program is especially focused on families with children and skilled tradespeople. It’s a unique opportunity to live on a quiet, scenic island while receiving financial help to get started.
13. Portugal 🇵🇹
Portugal’s Emprego Interior MAIS grant helps people relocating to the country’s inland regions with a grant of around €2,633, plus additional allowances for dependents and moving costs (up to €4,827).
Eligible applicants must accept a job or start a business in inland regions, move within 180 days, and apply within 90 days of employment. It’s a smart way to start fresh in Portugal’s scenic interior regions.
14. Sark 🇬🇬
If you’re looking for a truly unique place to call home, Sark in the Channel Islands could be it. This tiny, care-free island is offering newcomers $20,000 and helps in finding houses on the island, making the move a little easier.
Keep in mind that non-UK citizens will need a proper visa to settle in. Sark offers peaceful surroundings, low taxes, and a strong community – perfect for those seeking a slower, more intentional lifestyle.
15. Austria 🇦🇹
Austria’s Red-White-Red Card program supports high-skilled professionals with relocation assistance of around $10,000 and a one-year work visa.
Eligibility is points-based (age, qualifications, experience) and requires a secure job contract meeting salary threshold. It’s a best way to settle in Austria while contributing your skills to the local workforce.
16. Croatia 🇭🇷
If you’re looking to start fresh in Croatia, the government has rolled out housing incentives running from 2025 to 2030. Croatia’s National Housing Incentives include subsidized loans (up to €150,000) and social housing programs.
Participants must commit to living and working in underdeveloped regions, helping rejuvenate local communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We understand that after reading the entire blog, it can be a lot of information to process. You may still have a few questions. To help you further, here are some of the commonly asked questions by others, along with clear answers for your understanding.
1. What is the best country to move to economically?
This depends on your personal goals, profession, and financial situation. Countries like Canada, Germany, and Australia are known for strong economies, job opportunities, and a high quality of life.
2. How do I apply for these programs?
You can apply through official government websites or local municipality portals. Always verify the legitimacy of the program before submitting personal information.
3. What country is the cheapest place to relocate to?
Some of the most affordable countries to relocate to include Vietnam, Mexico, India, and Portugal, depending on your lifestyle and expectations.
4. Is the money given as a grant or a loan?
Most programs offer grants or subsidies, not loans. However, conditions often apply, such as staying for a minimum time or investing in the local community.
5. What documents do I need to move to another country?
You will typically need:
- A valid passport
- Appropriate visa (work, student, investment, etc.)
- Proof of income or employment
- Health insurance documents
- Criminal background check (in some cases)
- Educational or professional credentials
These requirements can vary by country, so it’s best to check with the official immigration authorities of your chosen destination.
Wrapping Up
What can be better than simply moving to a country abroad at such a low expense and knowing that they will pay you. In this blog, we told you about 16 such countries that desperately require people from around the world to settle, and they would pay you back for that!
Some offer you financial incentives to fill up their population, while some run grant programs to let you settle abroad conveniently. Choosing the one that best suits and meets your needs will help you start a life abroad. So, choose wisely and don’t miss out on such an opportunity!
