Have you ever been smitten by a country so bad that you felt like making a home there? Or has love struck you during travel?

It happened to me many times. 

Now, there are countries that pay you to move there. So, if you plan a trip to any of these countries and decide to stay there for the rest of your life, it’s a win-win deal for you. 

Do you want to know the names? Let me quickly introduce them to you in this Dream and Travel Guide.

What Are The Countries That Pay You To Move There? 

Did you know Italy is one of the countries that pay you to move there for free? If you don’t believe it yet, find out how much you are going to get for moving to a country that is on everyone’s travel bucket list. 

Here we go!

1. Chile

Chile
Population: 19,842,269
Size: 756,626 km²
Capital: Santiago
Currency: Chilean Peso
Official language: Spanish

The accelerator program of Startup Chile now enables entrepreneurs to earn between $ 14,000 and $80,000 through various stages of startup development. 

Start-Up Chile ProgramsWhat You Get
Build4-Month Program$14,000A Co-working Space to Launch Your Business
IgniteAssistance for the Expansion of Your StartupAn Equity-Free Amount of $30,000$30,000 extra for expansion
GrowthIdeal for Advanced Startups$80000 Funding for Community Building and Innovation

Tourism In Chile

Furthermore, the Chilean tourism industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2025 to 2029, reaching $3.87 billion by 2029.

The Atacama Desert and Valparaíso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are two crown jewels in the tourism landscape of Chile, one of the best countries that pay you to move there.

2. Italy

Italy
Population: 59,182,084
Size: 302,073 km²
Capital: Rome
Currency: Italian lira
Official language: Italian

Italy is my favorite country among the countries that pay you to live there. Multiple locations in Italy, including Candela, Sambuca di Sicilia, Sardinia, and Tuscany, offer many benefits once you move in.

Locations in ItalyWhat You Get
CandelaResidency program offering up to $32,000 renovation fund for relocating to one of the 76 rural towns. 
Sambuca di SiciliaBuy a home at €1.However, it is only applicable if you pay a security deposit of €5000 and finish a renovation worth €15,000 within 3 years.  
Sardinia€15,000 if you shift to a rural area and renovate a home.
TuscanyUp to $32,000 if you move to any of the 76 rural towns

Tourism In Italy

The travel and tourism market in Italy is expected to reach $27.18 billion by 2029. Now, it’s not necessary to discuss the tourism landscape of a country that has Rome. 

Still, the best places to visit in Italy are Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, The Amalfi Coast, Venice, Florence, etc. 

However, overtourism has been a major concern in Italy recently. So, it’s time to go slow. 

3. Ireland

Ireland
Population: 5,298,090
Size: 84,421 km²
Capital: Dublin
Currency: Euro
Official language: English and Irish

Ireland has a provision for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant through the country’s “Our Living Islands Program.”

According to this grant, you are eligible to get €70,000 if you are buying a house built before 2007. Also, this property must be your primary residence. 

Furthermore, foreign nationals are eligible to apply for the grant. However, it will not expedite or reduce the cost of the immigration process.

Tourism In Ireland

The tourism industry in Ireland is about to reach $3.50 billion by 2029. 

Furthermore, from the capital city of Dublin to natural attractions such as Killarney National Park, Ireland offers a diverse and eclectic tourism landscape. 

4. Japan

Japan
Population: 123.1 Million
Size: 377,974 km²
Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese Yen
Official language: Japanese

The Regional Revitalization Corps, or the Regional Economy Vitalization Corporation of Japan (REVIC), allows you to volunteer in saving rural areas from depopulation. 

This is also an attempt to ensure that the rural areas in Japan receive more tourists. 

Nonetheless, once you join the program, you can earn approximately 3 million Japanese Yen, or around $ 19,000, for staying in Japan for one to three years. 

Furthermore, to help local communities grow, you will need to work closely with government officials. Additionally, proficiency in Japanese is required to qualify for this program. 

Tourism In Japan

The tourism industry in Japan is expected to reach $49.94 billion by 2029.  

Moreover, from the iconic Mount Fuji to historical Kyoto and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Japan is the crown jewel in the tourism sector of Asia. 

5. Greece

Greece
Population: 9.9 Million
Size: 131,957 km²
Capital: Athens
Currency: Greek Drachma
Official language: Greek

Do you have three or more children? Then, Antikythera in Greece is the place you need to be. Antikythera will offer you the following benefits for relocating to the area. 

  • A stipend of €500 or $542 every month
  • Free food for relocation
  • Free accommodation

This is a move by Antikythera to increase the population. 

Antikythera is also an amazing travel destination. It has beautiful Kamarela Bay and Xiropotamos Beach. Furthermore, it is known for its religious sites, such as the Prophet Elias on Galaniana Mountain and the Agios Myronas Church. 

6. New Zealand

New Zealand
Population: 5.25 Million
Size: 268,021 km²
Capital: Wellington 
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Official language: Maori and English

All roads now lead to Kaitangata in New Zealand. It’s hard to believe, yet the offer indeed includes a housing package worth $165,000. 

The town of Kaitangata is a wonderful fusion of historical interest and natural wonders. So, you can visit places such as Lake Tuakitoto and Nugget Point Lighthouse. 

You can even enjoy a scenic drive along the coastal route. 

7. Spain

Spain
Population: 47,889,958
Size: 506,030 km²
Capital: Madrid
Currency: the Euro
Official language: Spanish

If you have just got married and want to start a family soon, you can visit the Ponga Region in Spain. 

It will give you €3,000 or $3,262 if you agree to stay there for five years. Also, you will receive €3,000 with the birth of every child. 

Again, Spain’s Extremadura region is the best place to move to for digital nomads. Especially if you are working in the tech sector and under the age of 30, you can choose any area with a population of less than 5000 to receive a grant of €10,000. 

Moreover, after staying for two years, and if you are still under 30, you can receive a grant of €5,000 to stay there for an additional year. 

However, you must qualify for Spain’s digital nomad visa program to receive this benefit. 

The Ponga region and the Extremadura region are great places to explore the Spanish charm, offering a more authentic experience away from the crowds of Barcelona and Madrid. 

Barcelona, anyway, is bearing the brunt of overtourism with ongoing protests. 

8. Croatia

Croatia
Population: 3,848,160
Size: 56,594 km²
Capital: Zagreb 
Currency: Croatian Kuna
Official language: Standard Croatian

Croatia does not fit into the list of countries that offer incentives to move there in the traditional sense.  However, it allows visitors to buy new properties for only 13 cents. 

Still, you have to fulfill certain criteria to get this benefit. 

  • You have to be under 45 years old. 
  • Furthermore, you must maintain a clean record. 
  • Additionally, you must be a partnership, and you cannot already own a property.

Tourism In Croatia

Tourism in Croatia is substantial, and the tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s overall GDP was approximately 26% in 2023. 

Furthermore, Croatia’s tourism industry is expected to reach $2.1 billion by 2028.

Croatia has a lot to offer for travel enthusiasts. From the historically rich Pearl of the Adriatic to the sunny island of HVAR, Croatia is known for its diverse tourist attractions.

9. Switzerland

Switzerland
Population: 8.96 Million
Size: 41,285 km²
Capital: Bern 
Currency: Swiss Franc
Official language: German, Italian, French, Romansh

Switzerland is one of the most beautiful countries that pay you to move there. Albinen, a municipality in Switzerland, has just 200 residents. 

So, for a population boost, Albinen now offers 25,000 Swiss Francs or more than $28000 for an adult. Also, the amount is $10000 for a child. 

However, to get this benefit, you have to be under 45 years of age and buy a home worth at least 200,000 Swiss Francs. 

Moreover, Albinen itself is a historic village and the low population here allows you to explore the nature at its best.

Sibashree Bhattacharya

Sibashree is the go-to person if Kafkaesque travel escapades are what you are all about! 10 years of experience in acting as the vessel for her readers to escape daily life, she has profound travel guides and exquisite beach and restaurant recommendations that make you want to pack your bags and hop on the next flight! Intrigued by the mystery of the mountains, she can also be seen dreaming about the blue water meeting the warm sand while she mentally jots down everything she cannot wait to share with her loyal readers!

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